Aids are the language through which a rider communicates his or her requests to the horse so that a conversation can be carried on between them for their mutual benefit...
The three principal entities involved in developing true horsemanship are the coach, the student, and the horse. You must have synergistic integration of all three to achieve success. There can be no missing links. Here is a concise summary of what I think each of them contributes to the whole....
These thoughts and observations are presented in no particular order and are offered so that readers can reflect upon them and form their own thoughts on the subject matter...
In the movie The WIZARD of OZ, when instructed by the Fairy Princess.”… To follow the yellow brick road”, Dorothy asked “... but where do I begin?” The Fairy Princess replied: “It is always best when beginning to begin at the beginning.” And so it is with the education of the horse.
I believe an explanation is in order about the circle of horsemanship schematic which has recently been added to the student section. If not an explanation, per se, then at least what was going through my mind at the time I developed it and why I chose the words I used (although that will become evident with the definitions provided.)
Being aware not only means being alert and mindful; more importantly, it means having knowledge about something - in this case, horses...
The conversation between rider…and horse is never-ending; always, during every stride, the rider asks little questions...
A basic question which we must answer regarding ourselves and our horses is: What kind of relationship do we want? Do we want a relationship where the horse is a beast of burden made to do our bidding and we are the master and he is the slave? Or, do we want a relationship which brings us together in a partnership?
Just what are "the basics" that everyone talks about and how long will it take to master them? In answer to the second part of the question it is to be noted that Nuno Oliveria considered a horse to have mastered the basics and to be ready for High School work when he was "light" in all parts of his body at all times during riding. It took up to 15 years for him to "educate" a horse to this level...