Part 2: How Horses Work Flashcards
Without rider interference where is the horse naturally inclined to balance?(ch8)
On the forehand, which actually outs them out of balance
How can the rider think of the horse to help the horse balance and get off its forehand? (ch8)
The rider can think of the horse as 2 engines; the hindquarters pushing and the forehand pulling
What aids can the rider give to coordinate the horse’s “engines”? (ch8)
Using a half halt that slows the forehand and encourages the hindquarters
t/f: the horse is straight by nature. (ch8)
false; the horse is not straight as his hindquarters are larger than his shoulders
What exercise can the rider use to help straighten the horse? Why does this work? (ch8)
Shoulder-fore; it narrows the hind end and encourages the horse to step under its center of gravity.
What happens to the weight distribution as the horse becomes more balanced? (ch9)
Weight is moved back (the horses center of gravity also moves back) to the hind end and the front end becomes more elevated
When the horse does become balanced they develop _________, becoming uphill and straight. (ch9)
longitudinally
How does the rider improve the horses balance? (ch9)
By suppling them
What happens to the hind legs when they engage? (ch10)
it stores energy that is released when it thrusts and reaches (this creates suspension and impulsion)
What makes difficult work incredibly easier for the horse? (ch11)
Leverage
True leverage that creates collection is caused by what aids? (ch11)
inside leg to outside rein (inside leg to inside rein is okay in some situations especially when safety is concerned)
What is relative elevation? (ch11)
when the forehand is light because the hindquarters engage and lift the neck (this is a gymnastically correct for the horse)
What is absolute elevation? (ch11)
when the withers are down and the neck is up (this is an incorrect and hopeless position for the horse)
What should a rider focus on to create more collection? (ch11)
alignment, impulsion, and engagement
What are 4 exercises that improve collection? (ch11)
lateral exercises, rein-back, half-halts, and transitions that skip a gait
What is Uberstreichen?(ch11)
a test where the rider releases one or both reins to see if the horse retains its posture (this encourages the collection)
What is the purpose of transitions? (ch12)
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
What do upward transitions do? (ch12)
encourage reach and thrust
What do downward transitions do? (ch12)
improve engagement
What 8 things make for good transitions? (ch12)
- making one change at a time
- convert the energy change
- monitor the frame
- relax the neck
- monitor the bend
- monitor the rhythm
- monitor the speed
- look for the possibility/ right moment for the transition
t/f: half halts influence your horse the same way as transitions. (ch13)
true
How do half halts improve the horse’s gates? (ch13)
improves their balance by engaging the horse so they can carry themselves better
While half-halts have countless meanings what one thing does it always mean?
“balance under me” (where 2 spines align)
What are the 3 parts of a half halt?
go, whoa, and soften
What are the 4 most common problems in half-halts?
- the rider is constantly behind the motion, muting the whoa aid of the half-halt
- not using small frequent half-halts enough
- some horses lose energy and engagement in the half-halt
- some horses stiffen in the half-halt
