So you want to learn how to ride a horse? Well, there is something special about the human – horse relationship. No doubt about that. Here are some things you should know before you take Beginner Horseback Riding Lessons.

It’s a big plus if you can get to know horses – their breeds, colors, height and recommended uses. You’ll need to understand the differences between English & Western styles of riding. Also, before you start riding a horse, it’s best if you get to know the horse – they have personalities too! Likewise, the horse should get to know and trust you.

Learning to ride a horse can be a fun & rewarding experience for people of all ages. However, if the proper skills and safety techniques aren’t learned beforehand, you can end up taking many hard falls. That’s a big reason many beginner horseback riders end up quitting. Falls and injuries can be avoided if the beginning horseback rider takes the time to study the proper horseback riding techniques prior to riding a horse. Just like with learning to ride a bicycle; you first had to fully understand your restrictions, and what the bicycle is capable of. Same goes with learning to ride a horse. Did you know that 90% of falls and horse related injuries result from an inexperienced rider?

If possible, it is beneficial if you can read some horse-related books before taking beginner horseback riding lessons. That way, you know basic horse – related information. You wouldn’t want to begin taking lessons knowing nothing about these beautiful animals. Some of the basic things you need to know are before taking beginner horseback riding lessons are: What you should wear when riding and what not to wear, how to mount & dismount, the various gaits of the horse, understanding the mind of the horse, how to stay in control, etc.

Also, it’s good to know that it’s natural to be scared the first time you ride. But don’t let the horse know that. Horses are like children; they sense when their rider is insecure. So even if you’re afraid, act relaxed. Fake it till you make it!

Riding a horse can be one of the most thrilling experiences of your life. Stick with it. Learning to ride a horse can be slow & hard work. Don’t give up. Knowing that lots of experienced horse riders did not grow up around horses and also took beginner horseback riding lessons can be reassuring.

About the Author

Sara Diamond likes to write about her interests. Horses are one of her loves. Read Horseback Riding – The Complete Beginners Guide to learn all the basics before taking Beginner Horseback Riding Lessons.

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Beginner Horseback Riding Lessons – Read This Before Taking Lessons

Horse Riding Apparel

Any type of horse riding usually begins with the rider buying riding clothes. Even a person simply going for a pleasure ride will benefit from the correct riding apparel. Horse riding apparel protects you and is designed specifically for being on a horse. Comfort and protection come in several styles and designs.

Depending on your style of riding whether western or English, your wardrobe will look slightly different, but consist of the same basics.

Riding Pants – Breeches, Jods and Jeans:

Jodhpurs (English Riding) could be described as kind of riding pants. The legs on these pants extend all the way to the ankles. At the end of the pants there is a cuff. This cuff fits over the top of a low riding boot. Modern breeches (English Riding) are skin-tight; they have either zippers or Velcro fastenings where they end at the calves.

Riding Boots:

Typical English riding boots are long to prevent the saddle leathers from chaffing the leg of the rider. The heel of the boot protects the rider’s foot from sliding out of the stirrup and the toe should be sturdy to protect the rider’s foot when on the ground. The sole of the boot is smooth enough so that in the event of a fall, the rider’s foot will not be caught on the stirrup.

Western riders wear cowboy boots. The heel of the boot varies depending on the style of boot, such as the “roper” style heel that is similar to that of English boots.

Riding Shirt:

Riding Shirts can come from your existing wardrobe unless you are riding in competitions where a more formal type of show shirt is called for.

Riding Helmet:

A riding helmet is an essential part of riding; it is specifically designed to protect your head. Do not overlook the use of a helmet.

Riding Chaps:

There are two basic types of chaps – full or half length. Chaps in the case of full length is used to protect the complete leg whilst working; they also help to keep the legs warm and dry. Half chaps are worn with Jodhpur boots. Jodhpur boots are short and the chap covers the leg from the ankle, overlapping the boot slightly, up to the knee. Half chaps provide protection to the leg from chaffing and help the jodhpurs stay in place whilst riding.

There is no harm in checking out what is in fashion and what is not. You do not want the focus placed on you in a show ring instead of the horse. Many local tack shops stock new and used riding apparel for you to try out. What ever your budget your ride will be far more comfortable in the correct horse riding apparel. [http://www.your-horse-guide.com/Your+Horse+Guide.html]Horses.

Get information on buying, owning and caring for your horse, learn about [http://your-horse-guide.com/Horse+Riding+Apparel.HTML]Horse Riding Apparel. Learn about your [http://www.your-horse-guide.com/Basic+Horse+Anatomy.HTML]horses anatomy.

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Horse Riding Apparel What To Look Out For

You often hear people say that they have been riding since they were three years old, or they were practically born in the saddle. Simple logic will belie this. No child of three years has enough coordination or strength. However, children do have a natural balance but no particular rhythm. Every sportsman knows the necessity of coordination, balance, and rhythm.

Before you buy a horse there should be a year of lessons, not only to learn the fundamentals of riding but to learn how to conduct oneself around an animal and the stables.

Without instruction you pick up a lot of bad habits. It used to be common practice to throw someone into the water to teach him to swim. In self-taught riding you may be able to ride a horse you are familiar with, but put yourself on an animal inclined to be stubborn or one that hasn’t been ridden for some time and you will be grabbing for leather and your apparent accomplishments will suddenly disappear.

Not only will you be embarrassed by your own inadequacies but the horse will recognize the lack of skill and take advantage. Yes, indeed, there is more to riding a horse than the mere act of sitting on his back.

Even though it may take years to become an expert horseman you can have fun learning each lesson. Each bit of knowledge and accomplishment will make you eager for more, and each lesson will become more interesting. In riding, coordination, balance, and rhythm become a habit. Watch a horse suddenly shy with an experienced rider. The horseman’s body works automatically with the motion of the mount, his hands control the horse’s head, and the animal is brought back into position without too much effort.

An uncontrolled horse will do as he pleases. If the inexperienced rider gives the wrong cue, the horse will obey without question, even though it is poor judgment. How many times have you heard people say, “This stupid horse won’t go.” Believe me, it isn’t the horse who is stupid. It is the ignorance of horsemanship showing quite plainly. There is a slogan all horsemen know well, “It is always the rider, never the horse.” It is so easy to blame the horse.

When you start lessons, the first thing that will affect you will be a tinge of fear when you climb on the horse’s back. You have to get used to the height from a horse’s back. You cannot learn to ride as long as you have any fear, because it makes you tense and there is no place for tenseness on a horse’s back.

There is little danger of falling off during the beginner period because you will not be allowed out of a walk until you have learned to sit. However, every horseman falls off sooner or later, and the falling is not so bad as the anticipation. You may be thoroughly jarred but rarely hurt. It is usually the experienced rider who falls, and this is because he rides well enough to become careless with his balance.

To stop the horse, shift the weight slightly back and pull back lightly, then release the reins. The stop should be balanced, and if the horse does not stop, pull harder, forcing the animal to an abrupt halt. By pushing slightly with the balls of the feet and squeezing with the knees, the horse will learn to stop without so much pressure on the reins.

If the horse does not stop well with reasonable pressure on the reins, he should be retrained. The reason for releasing the reins when the cue is first given to stop is because constant pressure on the reins means to “back.”

As has been said, there is a lot to learn in riding a horse, but each stage, each new piece of learning is exciting. Have fun riding!

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