General Equitation/Riding

Question 1

Name one of the two terms for the right side of the horse.

Answer 1

Far side or Off side

Source: Horses and Horsemanship (National 4-H Council), p. 20

Question 2

Name 3 equitation seats.

Answer 2

Hunt Seat, Saddle Seat, Stock (western)

Source: Horses and Horsemanship (National 4-H Council), p. 20

Question 3

The off side of the horse is what side?

Answer 3

Right

Source: Horses and Horsemanship (National 4-H Council), p. 20

Question 4

What term refers to the rider’s legs, hands, weight and voice, as used in controlling the horse?

Answer 4

Aids

Source: Horses and Horsemanship (National 4-H Council), p. 20

Question 5

When mounting for English equitation, on what part of the saddle do you place the right hand?

Answer 5

Cantle

Source: Horses and Horsemanship, Ensminger, p. 434

Question 6

Name the four basic aids used in controlling your horse.

Answer 6

Voice, hands, legs, weight

Source: Horses and Horsemanship (National 4-H Council), p. 21

Question 7

What is the name given to the rising and descending of a rider with the rhythm of the trot?

Answer 7

Posting

Source: Horses and Horsemanship (National 4-H Council), p. 20

Question 8

What is a rubberneck?

Answer 8

A horse with a very flexible neck, hard to rein

Source: Horses and Horsemanship (National 4-H Council), p. 9

Question 9

When mounting a horse, on what side do you generally mount?

Answer 9

Left

Source: Horses and Horsemanship (National 4-H Council), p. 20

Question 10

When riding in groups, what kind of distance should you keep between horses?

Answer 10

Horse length

Source: Horses and Horsemanship (National 4-H Council), p. 53

Question 11

What is a stargazer?

Answer 11

A horse that holds his head too high & its nose out

Source: Horses and Horsemanship (National 4-H Council), p. 9 / Illustrated Dictionary of Equine Terms, p. 254

Question 12

What is a half-halt?

Answer 12

A slight check in pace to collect a horse before applying the necessary aids for a change in pace or movement

(Source: Illustrated Dictionary of Equine Terms, p. 128)

Question 13

What is posting?

Answer 13

Rising and descending of the rider with the rhythm of the trot

(Source: Horses and Horsemanship (National 4-H Council), p. 20 / Illustrated Dictionary of Equine Terms, p. 218)

Question 14

To obtain a left lead, which leg would you apply pressure with?

Answer 14

Right

Source: Horses and Horsemanship (National 4-H Council), p. 23

Question 15

What is the proper way to ask your horse to back?

Answer 15

Grip with your legs, hold reins low, pull lightly using give & take motion

(Source: Horses and Horsemanship (National 4-H Council), p. 23)

Question 16

Ride with your weight on what part of the foot?

Answer 16

Ball

Source: Horses and Horsemanship (National 4-H Council), p. 20

Question 17

Heavy hands can cause damage to what part of the horse?

Answer 17

Mouth (bars)

Question 18

When speaking of horseback riding, what is a passenger?

Answer 18

One who rides without control, letting the horse go as it wishes

(Source: Horses and Horsemanship (National 4-H Council), p. 40)

Question 19

What term means “the art of riding horseback”?

Answer 19

Equitation

Source: Horses and Horsemanship (National 4-H Council), p. 20

Question 20

A horse length equals how many feet?

Answer 20

8 feet

Source: Horses and Horsemanship (National 4-H Council), p. 20

Question 21

When should you signal your horse for the stop?

Answer 21

When the horse’s rear legs are moving forward under its’ body

(Source: Horses and Horsemanship (National 4-H Council), p. 22)

Question 22

When you get ready to mount properly, what do you do to get your horse under control?

Answer 22

Adjust the reins evenly with enough tension to feel the bit & hold horse steady

(Source: Horses and Horsemanship (National 4-H Council), p. 20)

Question 23

Explain how you would “gather” your horse?

Answer 23

Take up on reins & settle in saddle

Source: Horses and Horsemanship (National 4-H Council), p. 21

Question 24

When riding a trot Western style, the body should be inclined slightly more in which direction than at the walk?

Answer 24

Forward

Source: Horses and Horsemanship (National 4-H Council), p. 21

Question 25

What aids are used when asking a horse to take the left lead & how are they used?

Answer 25

Apply pressure with right leg, shift weight to left

Source: Horses and Horsemanship (National 4-H Council), p. 23

Question 26

What does it mean to “pull leather”?

Answer 26

Holding to the saddle with both hands when riding a bucking horse

(Source: Horses and Horsemanship (National 4-H Council), p. 20)

Question 27

Explain how you would get your horse to sidepass?

Answer 27

Hold horse in to prevent forward motion. Rein in the direction you wish to move forequarters & use outside leg to move hindquarters.

(Source: Horses and Horsemanship (National 4-H Council), p. 23)

Question 28

What is horsemanship?

Answer 28

The art of riding the horse & understanding its needs

Source: Horses and Horsemanship (National 4-H Council), p. 20

Question 29

When riding, your legs are used to signal what?

Answer 29

Speed & movements

Source: Horses and Horsemanship (National 4-H Council), p. 21

Question 30

What is the purpose of a warm-up?

Answer 30

Gives horse a chance to loosen up stiff muscles

Source: Horses and Horsemanship (National 4-H Council), p. 41

Question 31

What part of the horse’s body do your hands control?

Answer 31

The forehand

Source: Horses and Horsemanship (National 4-H Council), p. 21