In the last of the series on equestrian ­principles, we take a look at ­various widely used terms and what they mean. The horsemen of old ­“created” many terms related to their equine ­occupation. These terms were used to ensure that everyone spoke the “same language” when it came to horses.

To consider ourselves “horsemen” requires more than simply being able to stay on top of the horse. It also requires that we understand, and can apply, the various terms that are used in the horse world. So often we talk at ­cross-purposes with one another and although we might be trying to say the same thing, we, in fact, seem to be contradicting one another. The reason for this is that we often misuse a specific term or aren’t sure of its meaning.

In our concluding article, we look at some of these terms and what they mean:

Groundwork: Groundwork is a series of ­exercises, done from the ground, to soften, ­relax and loosen up the horse, prior to a ­working ­session or a ride. In modern terms, it can be equated to a pilot’s “pre-flight” check. ­Groundwork allows the rider to ­establish ­control over the horse, achieve willing ­submission and ­develop a closer relationship with the horse.

Parts of these exercises work on lateral ­flexion, engagement and disengagement of the hind, desensitisation, confidence building and so forth. In addition, it serves as a mental and physical check of the horse before any work is done. Groundwork has sadly become a catch-phrase for riders from all disciplines with very few actually practising it.

Collection: Collection is a frame the horse is put into, so as to correctly engage and work off its hindquarters. It requires great ­suppleness and strength from the horse. In achieving ­collection, a process which is built up over time, the horse is allowed to develop an understanding of, and obedience to, the rider’s cues.

Collection thus consists of a mental and a physical component. There is a vast ­difference between “collection” and “contraction”, the ­latter being where the horse’s head is ­artificially positioned (by force) to resemble vertical ­flexion. In this instance, the horse is on the forehand, sluggish and unable to ­correctly engage his ­hindquarters.

Picadero: A Spanish term that describes a square pen. Its aim is to allow for refined ­preparation of the horse, improvement of ­balance, focus and strength, confidence ­building, lateral work and so forth. Most commonly, it is used for more advanced work with a horse.

Vice: Essentially a bad habit taught to a horse by humans. This may be due to poor handling, neglect, lack of confidence, abuse, boredom or isolation, and so forth. ­Responsible ­horsemen took care in ensuring that their ­horses were vice-free, as a horse with a vice reflected badly on the horseman or owner. Nowadays, the term is used in such a ­manner that it implies that the specific ­negative ­behaviour is purely the fault of the horse, and the owner or rider being a victim of the horse’s “naughty” behaviour.

Lungeing: Sometimes referred to as ­“longeing” (from the French longe), this is a preparation technique that is used to help the horse establish balance and develop flexion, rhythm, connection and ultimately ­collection. It is not an exercise used to tire a horse ­before ridden work or to “get the fire out of the horse” before saddling it – such an action is the ­embodiment of a lack of ­horsemanship.

In lungeing a horse, the handler aims to ­develop the gymnastic abilities of the horse to such an extent that the horse can, by means of gymnasticisation, improve its carriage and movement. Correct lungeing builds on the horse’s muscular abilities and aids in mental development. It also prepares the horse for ­ridden work.

“Whoa!”: This is a verbal command that means “Stop – immediately!” It does not mean go slower, be careful or don’t do something. It is a command that can be used from the ground or from the saddle. When used from the saddle, it requires use of the rider’s seat to reinforce the command. It also requires the rider to know if the horse is left or right-sided as this will determine the best foot on which to give the cue. Cueing the horse at the correct time will lead to an immediate stop.

Hackamore: A type of bitless bridle. ­Traditionally, the hackamore was made of a braided rawhide noseband and was used to prevent the bit from causing injury to a young horse’s mouth, especially when it was ­shedding teeth.

The traditional hackamore, often referred to by its Spanish name jaquima is very different from the more modern, mechanical ­hackamore. The hackamore was the most basic device that was used on a horse to prepare it for the bit, without causing the mouth any stress. Bitting-up exercises are used to prepare the horse to carry and respond to the hackamore.

Leading: The ability of a handler to lead a horse correctly, while demonstrating that he/she is the horse’s leader. Correct leading ­requires the correct body positioning, allowing the horse to understand the meaning of ­pressure and how to respond to it as well as being able to ­project ­confidence to the horse. Correct leading ­translates to under-saddle work as riding a horse is nothing other than leading the horse – from its back. Lungeing and in-hand work are advanced leading techniques.

Responsive to the bit: A term opposed to “on the bit”. Responsive to the bit implies that the horse has been allowed to teach himself how to carry, and respond to the bit without the rider having to use pressure on the rein. As the horse is accepting of the bit, it allows for clear communication via the rein-bit ­combination. A horse that is responsive to the bit can be ridden in a soft or relaxed rein.

Impulsion: Impulsion is not the senseless kicking of a horse in the sides to make him go forward. It is the energy (propulsion) ­created by the horse’s hindquarters and, when under saddle, it is the rider’s responsibility to ­control that energy in a responsible manner. A good horseman is able to, by means of subtle seat, leg and rein cues, increase or reduce the ­impulsion to the advantage of both himself and the horse.

Submission: This is the horse’s willing ­giving of its body and spirit to the horseman. It also implies the horse’s willing acceptance of the rider’s aids on condition that he has been prepared to act on them and is mentally and physically capable of doing so.

Submission is a conditional gift the horse gives its rider and any attempt by the rider to abuse the submission, will result in resistance form the horse. Various forms of obtaining submission exist with the “Lock-On” or “Join Up™” being the most common. This is further built on by means of groundwork, correct leading exercises, in-hand work and so forth.

Balance: This all-encompassing term ­refers to the rider, the horse and the tack being used:

• Rider. This implies a correct seat, correct leg positioning, correct upper-body ­posture, arms balanced and so on
• Horse. This requires the horse to be physically and mentally balanced to both sides, correct saddle positioning, and its feet ­balanced.
• Tack. This requires the horse to be fitted with a balanced saddle; the bit used must be balanced as must the reins.

When both horse and rider are balanced, and the correct tack is used, a picture of ­harmony is created.

Neck-reining: An indirect-rein command that asks the horse to move away, or turn away, from the rein pressure being applied. Most commonly used in Western Riding or hacking, neck-reining requires the correct use of the rein as well as the rider’s weight aids, i.e. seat and leg. It is, in addition, something the horse must be prepared for.

Flapping: The continual and unrefined ­movement of a rider’s legs, imitating the ­movement of a bird’s wings. This constant ­applying, taking off and re-applying of the legs to the side of the horse, in the misguided ­belief of creating “impulsion”, often has no ­correlation to the action of the horse. Flapping also causes a commotion on the horse’s back thereby ­influencing its balance. It is also the reflection of a poor seat and incorrect use of the rider’s legs.

Snaffle b it: A snaffle bit is a direct action bit which is ridden using two hands. The bit always has a jointed mouthpiece and usually a ring on either side to allow it to be attached to a headstall and reins. It can have shanks or check-pieces. When the bit has a broken mouthpiece with shanks, it is known as a ­jointed mouthpiece curb.

Due to the mouthpiece design, the snaffle bit uses a nut-cracker-like action to communicate with the horse. The belief that a snaffle is a “gentle” bit is a fallacy. The snaffle, like any other bit, can wreak havoc in a horse’s mouth and inflict great pain if the rider’s hands are used incorrectly and if the horse has never been taught how to respond to it.

Curb bit: Any bit with shanks, regardless of the mouthpiece design. This bit has both curb and poll action with the reins attached below the mouthpiece, delivering a lever and ­fulcrum effect. Traditionally, the horse will progress from the hackamore to the snaffle bit to the curb bit. The mouthpiece of the curb may vary from a broken mouthpiece to a straight bar, from a straight bar to a low port to a high port. This type of bit is ridden with an even lighter hand than the snaffle bit.

Flexion: Flexion usually refers to the ­bending of the poll and lower jaw, known as vertical flexion. It also refers to the ­horizontal or ­lateral flexion of the neck of the horse. ­Flexion is based on the ability of a horseman to prepare the horse correctly to flex upon ­request.

This requires that the horse accepts the bit and seat aids and correctly responds to them. Incorrect flexion exercises will lead to a ­spoiling of the horse. Correct vertical flexion allows the horse to bring himself into a frame that makes collection easier.

Sacking out: Sacking out is a process of ­desensitising a horse in order to give it ­confidence and courage. This was done with a feedbag or feed sack, hence the term. Sacking out is an important part of the preparation of a horse as it builds on the horse’s submission and trust towards the handler. Correct sacking out allows the horse to become “bomb proof” within a relatively short space of time.

There are many other terms and phrases that the horsemen of old used in order to ­describe their preparation of the horse. None of these terms and phrases implied or required the use of any violence. Instead, they required an understanding of the horse and the tack they were using.

It remains up to us to either use the terms and phrases as they were intended, or allow our egos to take hold and substitute patience and time for anger and violence. The horse will, however, show the on-lookers which route we chose to follow. SAH