Posts Tagged ‘horse riding lessons’

And what is the maximum weight you can be to ride a horse?

Here you will find some horseback riding tips that are geared towards the beginner or aspiring horseback rider. Learning to ride a horse can be one of the most thrilling experiences of your life, as long as you do it safely. The payoff lies not only in the freedom of galloping across a field on the back of an animal, but also in enjoying the wondrous bond between human and horse. Did you know that knowing the basic horseback riding tips before taking professional lessons, cuts your learning curve in half? Find out some essential horseback riding tips from the pros here.

First of all, it’s good if you can get to know everything you can about horses – their breeds, colors, heights, etc. You also need to know the differences between English and Western riding styles. It’s good if you can get to know the horse you’ll be riding on. Likewise, the horse should trust you too.

One of the best horseback riding tips is: Always keep your cool. If you lose control of yourself, have no doubt you will lose control of your horse. A horse can sense if the rider is scared. Even if you are scared (and that’s normal) and you have no idea how you’ll ever stay on the horse, you cannot think that around your horse. You need to stay calm & relaxed (Hint: Fake it till you make it!) If you get a little scared, take a few deep breaths so that you can slow your heartbeat and relax yourself. Odds are, if you think you’re in control, so will the horse. Also, when you are finished riding make sure you dismount on the left side.

You will greatly benefit if you know some basic horseback riding tips & techniques before taking horse riding lessons. There are some good books out there that give you many essential horseback riding tips. Read them, follow the many horseback riding tips and tricks and you will quickly & easily learn the basic skills needed to ride a horse. Some of them are written in plain, easy to understand language with no complicated instructions. These books show you horseback riding tips and everything that you need to know to easily learn how to ride a horse for the first time. You’ll learn all the horseback riding basics…..how to approach a horse, what never to do, how to mount & dismount and much, much more. And, they have some of the most beautiful horse pictures I’ve ever seen! These books lay it all out for you, so that you will know exactly what you are doing…before you approach a horse.

Author: Sara Diamond
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Provided by: Digital Camera Information

Proper equestrian riding techniques vary depending upon the type of riding you are doing, whether it is English, Western, jumping, dressage, or eventing. Overall, proper equestrian riding techniques are largely a matter of correct body position, clear communication, appropriate equipment and equestrian riding apparel, and being aware of your surroundings. No one is born with the knowledge or ability to ride properly. It takes years of training and dedicated practice.

As a novice rider, you have much to learn. It is far easier to learn the proper ways first, rather than having to spend years unlearning bad habits and replacing them with proper riding techniques. That’s why taking lessons for the novice rider is such a great idea.

Take Lessons from a Reputable Trainer

Regardless of the type of riding you are interested in, riding lessons are always a good idea — especially for the novice. It is too easy to learn bad habits and put yourself in danger by simply jumping on the first available horse. This is especially true when jumping horses.

Even experienced riders must regularly rely upon basic riding techniques to maintain their safety as well as the safety of their horse. Your trainer should be able to provide you with an outside perspective. It’s amazing how many times you will be absolutely positive that your heels are down when, in fact, they are not. A reputable trainer can help you to fulfill your potential as a skilled horseman or horsewoman.

Riding lessons will teach you how to tack your horse up in the proper equestrian equipment, how to tighten the girth on English saddles to prevent slipping, how to select the equestrian riding apparel that is appropriate for your style of riding, how to develop the correct body position, and the best communication methods for interacting with your horse. Riding lessons will also educate you about the common rules of riding etiquette.

Proper Body Position and Riding Etiquette

For generations, young children and adults have been admonished to keep their chin up, shoulders back, and eyes forward. All you have to do is add heels down, elbows in, and hands quiet so that you will have a superior body position for horseback riding. As a rider, your job is to maintain control over your horse without appearing to do anything. Loud cues, abrupt movements, and lost tempers are never appropriate.

In the English riding world, there are specific rules of ring etiquette in place to ensure everyone’s safety. Generally, this means that everyone should be travelling in the same direction and working basically on the same skills. Slower traffic keeps to the inside of the arena while faster moving riders stay to the outer edge of the ring. A full horse length should be maintained between riders. If passing is necessary, one is expected to inform the other rider quietly and to give a wide berth. If horses are moving in both directions, the general rule of thumb is to pass — left shoulder to left shoulder — just as though you were driving a car. These courtesies work to prevent countless accidents and emergencies and should be followed at all times.

Use Appropriate Equestrian Riding Apparel and Equipment

Appropriate equestrian riding apparel means you are wearing an approved helmet, riding boots, a well-fitting shirt that allows enough freedom of movement, and riding breeches. Jeans are not appropriate for English riding. English saddles will rub on the seams, causing chaffing, and the material will slip and risk a fall. Loose and baggy clothing is never considered appropriate equestrian riding apparel. It can snag, bunch, and interfere with your movement that may risk injury.

English saddles will help you to maintain the correct body position for flat work and jumping, just as an event a saddle will help a rider maneuver hills, waterways, and other obstacles and help a rider to maintain their seat safely. Being lightweight and relatively flat, English saddles provide you with a greater range of motion than a heavier, bulkier Western saddle. However, they also require a strong leg to help you maintain contact and communicate with your horse. There are many varieties of English saddles available. Before buying English saddles, discuss your options with your trainer.

Every step of your training will help you to develop the skills and habits necessary to ride safely and effectively. Wearing appropriate equestrian riding apparel, finding the correct style English saddles, and working regularly with a reputable trainer will all help you to develop proper riding techniques.

Author: Anne Coyle
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Provided by: Guest blogger

If you appreciate watching people ride horses, you are probably the type of person who wants to try it for yourself.  If this is the case, you’ll be somewhat surprised to find out that is a pleasurable and fulfilling way to spend some time.  Horseback riding, will teach you to experience what beautiful animals horses are, as well as help you learn a skill which very few people have been able to accomplish.  Seeing differnt breeds of horses, as well as having the opportunity to ride them, is an opportunity that really can’t compare to many different ones put there.  When you are ready to begin your riding hobby, you need to start by taking a few simple steps.

Horse Rding – The First Step

As with most tasks, you must first find out about the basics before taking up horse riding lessons.  You need to do your home work as well as perform your due diligence to learn what will be required, prior to signing up for any type of horseback lesson program.  The first consideration is whether you truly are interested in horseback, or just like watching these beautiful creatures.  For example, horse riding is not an activity for the timid and there is some risk involved.

Riding Camp vs. Private Lessons

As a novice, your best two choices are to begin with group lessons at a horseback riding camp, or taking individual lessons.  Each option has its advantages as well as disadvantages.  Riding Camp is generally less expensive, but you will not get as much instruction as in a private lesson.  Private lessons almost always cost more, but you will be able to learn much more, especially with a qualified instructor.  You could even be better off attempting both riding camp as well as private lessons to find out what works best for you.

Research

You can use the web to do your homework, and just learn the different tricks to horse riding and of course always remember the different safety precautions that you will take when horseback riding.

Horse riding is a wonderful activity that everyone should attempt at least one time, and if you have kids this is something that you are will want to consider getting them into.

Whichever path you pick, please remember that you are taking up riding to enjoy yourself, not as a job.

To find out more about horse riding lessons as well as learn more about horse riding, please visit our horse riding site, where you will find information, tips, and products.