- Aids -

A skilled rider controls a horse by means of various signals; these are called aids. In Western terms, they are called cues. The natural aids are signals transmitted to the horse by the rider's legs, hands, and voice and by the shifting of the body weight in the saddle. Natural aids are often supplemented by spurs and whips, which are used to reinforce learning, not to punish the horse. To make a horse move forward, the rider squeezes their legs against the sides of the mount. Increasing pressure as well as voice commands are used to quicken the horse's pace. The horse is slowed, stopped, and made to back up by backward pressure on the reins.

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