Definition: Contact is the feel you have of the horse's mouth as you hold the reins. Light, supple, balanced contact means you can feel your horse's mouth, and you are able to adjust the amount of contact according to your horse's behavior and gaits. Too heavy contact at inappropriate times will make a horse hard mouth, hollow backed and difficult to cue with the bit. Contact that is too light means you may not be giving your horse effective cues. As a horse walks, the rider should allow their forearm to follow the movement as the horse bobs its head. At a trot, the hands should be still. At a gallop, the rider will follow the horse's movements similar to the walk.
Pronunciation: k ä n t ă kt
Examples:
Because she rode with harsh hands and too heavy contact her horse tossed his head to evade the bit.
