When you own a horse, it's almost like learning a completely new language. One term you will hear fairly often is if your horse is "going on the bit". What this means is your horse had learned how to properly transfer his or her weight from the front legs to the back legs when walking or running. A horse that doesn't know how to do this when he has a rider on board will deliver a bumpy and jerky gait.

Teaching this skill to your horse is very easy. One very simple way that many trainers use to teach the horse to transfer his weight properly is called Backing. Spirals and narrow pathways will encourage your horse to move forward in an enclosed area and then block your horse with your hands and urge him gently backwards so his weight is transferred to his hindquarters. The other part of going on the bit will mean your horse should know part of proper weight shifting is also the collection of his body weight when he is transferring the weight back from his hindquarters to the front of his body with a stride.

Practice these short exercises with your horse, it can be frustrating for you both in the beginning but have patience and work with him. Very shortly he should understand how to properly walk and run with a bit in his mouth in a way that is most comfortable to the ride and most importantly to your horse.