I mentioned before your 'Natural' and 'Artificial Riding Aids.' 

Do you know what they are?

Well just like your school teacher would tell you...take it apart.

Natural Aid ... Artificial Aid.

Well, Aid means to help or assist. 

So Natural vs. Artificial....hhmm.

I'll help you out. 

Your Artificial Aids are things that are not part of you that Aid you in your riding...such as spurs or a riding crop.  I'm sure now we can maybe add draw reins, and training forks to that list.  But when I learned this it was simply, spurs and crops.

So your Natural Aids, are what you bring naturally to the equation.

 - Seat, Legs, Voice, Hands -

In that order.

Think about when you stop your horse.  If you were taught to do it correctly, your instructor told you to sit deep in your saddle, release your leg from his barrel, say whoa, and lastly pull back on the reins.  Hand on reins always being the last resort to all of your riding. 

Every action you body makes tells your horse what to do.  If you turn your head, your body will most likely follow...that simple twist in your seat is changing the pressure on his back as well as the pressure of your legs on his side...therefore your body has told him to turn, without even pulling on the reins. 

These are your 'Natural Aids.'  They are the Most important things that you possess while riding horses.

I learned these things from Ned in my very first riding lesson in the fall of 1984.  He taught me that as well as Direct and Indirect Rein.  I have always carried that with me, and always taught my students the very same thing in their first lesson.

Horses are simple physics...simple cause and effect. 

Keep your riding aids in the front of your mind...even if you're not aware of them...and you can not fail.