Best Horseback Riding Lessons – A Guide How to Ride a Horse in 15 Steps
Horses are one of the most beautiful animals of the kingdom Animalia, representing grandeur and glory. Besides beauty, these tall and muscular animals can be loyal friends to their owner. Horse riding has been a thing since ancient times, though it was ridden for entirely different purposes. People in the past battled on horseback in wars. These mighty animals have the right speed and quickness that makes them perfect for the battlefield. Furthermore, horses were used as a means of locomotion from one to another place for their capability to endure harsh weather and circumstances.
Horseback riding in the present times is a very popular sport, having myriad benefits for the human mind and body. If you want to ride a horse and it is your first time to go near one, then you might need horseback riding lessons. Following are some facts about horseback riding.
1) Prep Yourself:
Before heading to a horse riding exercise, gather the required information about it. Doing proper homework will make the venture worth retrying. Find out about the general behavior and abilities of these majestic creatures. For instance, the weight limit for horseback riding is lower or equal to 20% of its total weight.2
2) Know what to wear:
The first thing you do before going near a horse is to wear the right outfit. A helmet, for instance, is as important as oxygen to the lungs. Wear the right pair of comfortable boots, so you don’t get stuck in the stirrups. Make sure you choose comfortable shirts and pants to make the ride easy.
3) Know Your Horse:
Horses can be easily scared, so it is better to greet these animals politely before you start your ride. You don’t want to scare it with your shrill screams, so better be calm when encountering one.
4) Adjust Horse’s saddle and Bridle:
Next you will have to look at if the saddle is positioned properly, if not then you might need to move it accordingly with its girth.
Further, check if the reins are perfect for your size, neither loose nor too tight. Usually the instructor does the tacking- putting the saddle and bridle, etc. for a newbie during a horse riding lesson. you should also be aware of when you are riding the horse on the beach, like there are a lot of sand and horse faced a little difficulty while running.
5) Mount the Animal from Left Side:
After a thorough inspection, it is time you mount it. Horses have been mounted from the left side since the early days, with the rider swinging his right leg over the horse and sitting on the saddle. The stirrups should be of equal lengths on both sides, so you have the center of your feet within them while you are riding.
6) Get help:
Some people might also need a mounting block to level them up and make it easier for them to mount the animal.
In case you are taking horseback riding lessons you will be given a helping hand by the instructor that will do the adjusting for you.
7) Position Yourself:
Once you land on the saddle, you will have to maintain your posture on it, so you don’t end up getting injured and bruised. Horse riding is one tiring job, in fact mere sitting on the horseback can be exhausting and painful if not done right. But with little practice, horse riding exercise and the right guidance one can master.
8) Start Riding:
A fact about riding a horse is to align your ears, shoulders, hips and heels linearly in a single line. Make sure you don’t bend, straighten your back and sit firmly on the saddle. Your elbows must be at the right angle with the horse’s back.
9) Where to look:
While riding, make sure you keep an eye on the trail because you don’t want to run into an accident and get yourself injured. Trainers suggest looking between the ears of your horse whilst riding.
10) Enjoy the Ride:
To make the animal walk, move the left or right rein a little towards yourself, so the animal knows in which direction it has to begin moving. Make sure you don’t put a lot of pressure as it might be painful for the horse.
11) Make use of your legs:
While riding, also make use of your legs to exert little pressure on the stirrups to get the animal moving. In case of moving towards left, put a slight pressure on the left stirrup, obviously along with the gentle pulling of the respective rein in the same direction. The coupling of hands and legs will get your horseback riding lesson a good experience.
12) Let your animal be itself:
Trying to have complete control over your horse might anger it. One must give it the required freedom and abstain from pulling the reins every now and then. Loosen your bottom muscles and let yourself move with its steps.
13) Stopping the Horse:
After enjoying your ride during the horse riding exercise, you will ultimately have to get it stopped. For which you will first have to slow it down and then pull the reins towards yourself. This will signal the animal to halt.
14) Dismount:
After the animal has stopped completely, hold the reins in your left hand, pull your feet out of the stirrups, lean forward, swing your right leg over the animal’s back and jump.
15) Reward:
After dismounting, pat it and give it a treat for making your riding lesson unforgettable.
Follow these steps religiously every time to mount a horse and become a pro in less time. There are some other tips that makes your riding experience unforgettable.
