Real-Life Communication
Riders communicate with their horses using voice commands and body
language. "You have to be able to communicate with the animal," says Jack
Polo, an equestrian.
In addition, riders have to be able to give instructions
to other riders, and be able to understand instructions given to them. This
can mean reading up on techniques and terminology.
"At low levels of
riding, you can get by without doing any reading and writing," says Polo.
"But when you get to higher levels, you will probably have to do some reading."
You
are an equestrian helping a riding student learn to jump. This is what you
say as the student goes over the jump:
"During the approach,
remain relaxed and calm. Keep a light contact on the reins and give as much
rein as the horse requires -- don't run the hands up the mane, fix your hands
or start dropping.
"You must be coordinated, so that you are prepared
to go over the jump when the horse does. One of the worst things you can do
is catch the horse in the mouth.
"Now let's look at your position.
I noticed last time that you tipped forward on your knees and collapsed on
landing.
"Remember that every movement should be fluid. The best riders
let their horses jump naturally, and do little to interfere with the movement."
The
student stares at you, uncomprehending. Horseback riding has lots of terminology,
which beginners don't always understand. Using the vocabulary below, reword
your instructions so that the rider understands you.
Vocabulary
Run
the hands up the mane -- Resting the hands too high on the neck can make
the horse refuse to move.
Fixed hands -- Holding the reins
too tight restricts the horse's head and neck movement.
Dropping
-- Throwing away the reins just before takeoff unbalances and confuses the
horse.
Catch the horse in the mouth -- This is when you pull
on the horse's mouth by being caught behind the movement of the horse or by
not releasing the reins.
Tipped forward on your knees -- This
is when the lower leg slips up and back, which results in a loss of balance
on landing.
Collapsed on landing -- The rider's upper body
overbalances, which results in loss of control.
Rewrite your instructions
now.