Part 2: How Horses Work

Question 1

Without rider interference where is the horse naturally inclined to balance?(ch8)

Answer 1

On the forehand, which actually outs them out of balance

Question 2

How can the rider think of the horse to help the horse balance and get off its forehand? (ch8)

Answer 2

The rider can think of the horse as 2 engines; the hindquarters pushing and the forehand pulling

Question 3

What aids can the rider give to coordinate the horse’s “engines”? (ch8)

Answer 3

Using a half halt that slows the forehand and encourages the hindquarters

Question 4

t/f: the horse is straight by nature. (ch8)

Answer 4

false; the horse is not straight as his hindquarters are larger than his shoulders

Question 5

What exercise can the rider use to help straighten the horse? Why does this work? (ch8)

Answer 5

Shoulder-fore; it narrows the hind end and encourages the horse to step under its center of gravity.

Question 6

What happens to the weight distribution as the horse becomes more balanced? (ch9)

Answer 6

Weight is moved back (the horses center of gravity also moves back) to the hind end and the front end becomes more elevated

Question 7

When the horse does become balanced they develop _________, becoming uphill and straight. (ch9)

Answer 7

longitudinally

Question 8

How does the rider improve the horses balance? (ch9)

Answer 8

By suppling them

Question 9

What happens to the hind legs when they engage? (ch10)

Answer 9

it stores energy that is released when it thrusts and reaches (this creates suspension and impulsion)

Question 10

What makes difficult work incredibly easier for the horse? (ch11)

Answer 10

Leverage

Question 11

True leverage that creates collection is caused by what aids? (ch11)

Answer 11

inside leg to outside rein (inside leg to inside rein is okay in some situations especially when safety is concerned)

Question 12

What is relative elevation? (ch11)

Answer 12

when the forehand is light because the hindquarters engage and lift the neck (this is a gymnastically correct for the horse)

Question 13

What is absolute elevation? (ch11)

Answer 13

when the withers are down and the neck is up (this is an incorrect and hopeless position for the horse)

Question 14

What should a rider focus on to create more collection? (ch11)

Answer 14

alignment, impulsion, and engagement

Question 15

What are 4 exercises that improve collection? (ch11)

Answer 15

lateral exercises, rein-back, half-halts, and transitions that skip a gait

Question 16

What is Uberstreichen?(ch11)

Answer 16

a test where the rider releases one or both reins to see if the horse retains its posture (this encourages the collection)

Question 17

What is the purpose of transitions? (ch12)

Answer 17

To improve the horse: it can improve connection and then collect the horse; they make life more interesting for the horse; puts the rider in the position of a leader

Question 18

What do upward transitions do? (ch12)

Answer 18

encourage reach and thrust

Question 19

What do downward transitions do? (ch12)

Answer 19

improve engagement

Question 20

What 8 things make for good transitions? (ch12)

Answer 20

1. making one change at a time
2. convert the energy change
3. monitor the frame
4. relax the neck
5. monitor the bend
6. monitor the rhythm
7. monitor the speed
8. look for the possibility/ right moment for the transition

Question 21

t/f: half halts influence your horse the same way as transitions. (ch13)

Answer 21

true

Question 22

How do half halts improve the horse’s gates? (ch13)

Answer 22

improves their balance by engaging the horse so they can carry themselves better

Question 23

While half-halts have countless meanings what one thing does it always mean?

Answer 23

“balance under me” (where 2 spines align)

Question 24

What are the 3 parts of a half halt?

Answer 24

go, whoa, and soften

Question 25

What are the 4 most common problems in half-halts?

Answer 25

1. the rider is constantly behind the motion, muting the whoa aid of the half-halt
2. not using small frequent half-halts enough
3. some horses lose energy and engagement in the half-halt
4. some horses stiffen in the half-halt