Definition: Any article such as whip, spurs, bits, used to communicate with the horse or pony while riding. Your reins are an artificial aid, as is the bit. A riding crop or whip is an artificial aid, that extends the reach of your arm to cue your horse. Gear like martingales, tie-downs and drop nose bands are artificial aids that help you control your horse. The best trained horses however, should only need natural aids.

Relying on artificial aids, especially the more severe ones, means you may have skipped steps in your horse's training. 

Pronunciation: art e fish al- adz

Examples: A bit is one artificial aid most people use on their horse.