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"Glossary of the Terms and Definitions and of Processes Associated with Equitation, Equitation Science"
by Paul McGreevy and Andrew McLean reproduced with permission.
by Paul McGreevy and Andrew McLean reproduced with permission.
Above the bit
A posture characteristic of a hyper-reactive ridden horse exhibiting conflict behaviour in which the horse attempts to escape the aversive situation by raising its head, quickening its pace, shortening its neck and stride and bracing its back, which becomes dorsally concave. The horse thus assumes a posture appropriate for running and therefore does not show impulsion.
Accepting the bit
The way a horse responds to the bit in particular and to cues in general. During locomotion and transitions, the horse's mouth remains closed, soft in the jaw and with relaxed lips. A horse that accepts the bit does not shorten or lengthen its neck or alter its head position during travelling and transitions. Accepting the bit is generally accompanied by relaxation of the neck and body.
Activity
The rhythmical speed of movement of the horse‚ legs within any gait. See Tempo.
Against the hand
When a horse does not stop/slow/step-back from the bit correctly. Consequently the rein contact feels heavy to the rider. This is usually accompanied by a hyper-reactive (hollow) posture in which the neck shortens or lengthens during locomotion or transitions. There may be an element of learned helplessness in this behaviour. A horse may also be described as being against one of the rider‚ hands, in which case it is heavy on one rein only (lugging), demonstrating a diminished response to the turn signal of that rein.
Against the leg
A description of a horse that is not straight in its body and is continually flexing its thorax (see Flexion) against one of the rider‚ legs. Such a horse drifts or attempts to drift sideways. In addition, the horse may be against both legs (i.e., not going forward).
Agonistic behaviour
Pertaining to behaviour associated with conflict between individuals.
Aid
A stimulus that elicits a learned response in horses. We prefer the terms cues or signals.
Artificial aids
Equipment used to alter a horse‚ behaviour under-saddle or in-hand (e.g., whips, spurs). When employed correctly, these are generally used to negatively reinforce various locomotory responses and are most commonly used to fortify the light or natural cue to achieve the desired response. By convention, these are distinct from the natural cues since they do not involve direct use of parts of the rider‚ body.
Asking with the rein
Cues sent by the rider through the rein to signal the horse to respond in a specific way.
Associative learning
This involves the relationship between at least two events that are paired. There are two types of associative learning: classical and operant. Classical conditioning is the process whereby a response, either conditioned or unconditioned, becomes elicited from a conditioned stimulus.