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Learning To Ride A Horse
Learning to ride a horse can be an exhilarating experience! But… is learning to ride a horse easy? Some lucky people may find it relatively easy to learn to ride a horse. For others – it’s not so easy! Either way, the key thing to remember is that you’re not riding a motorbike or driving a car. You are sitting on top of a living, breathing creature with a mind and a will of its own. One moreover that probably weighs at least 5 times more than you!
What Are The Risks Involved In Riding A Horse?
There are a number of risks involved in riding horses. The most obvious one is falling off, which is why you never get on a horse without wearing an approved riding helmet. You may also want to consider a protective riding vest as well.
The other essential piece of equipment is proper riding boots. Do not wear gumboots (wellies), runners, work boots, or any other type of footwear that isn’t specifically designed for horse riding. The reason for this is that riding boots are designed to come out of the stirrups if you come off. Other types of boots are not, and can easily get caught in the stirrup. That’s a sure recipe for disaster.
With these scary thoughts in mind, let’s look at what it takes to learn how to ride a horse…
What Do I Need To Consider When Learning How To Ride A Horse?
Your first consideration, if you want to learn horse riding, is the physical demands of riding horses. Horseback riding, or horse riding as it’s more commonly called here in Australia, requires:
- Balance
- Strength
- Co-ordination
If you’re a beginner rider, you’ll need to develop these skills by taking regular lessons with an experienced riding instructor, and then practising what you’ve been taught. It takes a while to feel comfortable in the saddle, and at ease with the movements of the horse underneath you.
Horse Riding Tips
Develop Mental Focus And Concentration
You also need mental focus and concentration. Horses can very quickly sense when a rider isn’t concentrating on them and may take advantage of this. You must develop awareness not only of what your body is doing but also what your horse is doing… They often give off subtle warning signs when they’re about to do something. It may be a slight tensing of the body, a snort or a head toss, a change in ear set, a swishing tail, or a humped back.
Learn How To Communicate With Your Horse
Effective communication with your horse is yet another skill you’ll need to learn. Horses are big on body language, and will pick up on your emotions. As a prey species, they rely on their finely tuned senses for survival. If they sense you’re nervous, they may interpret that to mean there is something in the immediate environment they need to be nervous or wary about. So – they’ll be on high alert, ready to bolt at the slightest hint of danger…!
What you, as a rider, must therefore learn to do is recognise the cues and how to take appropriate action to keep control of the situation. And avert potential trouble. You do this through body language, verbal cues, and the reins.
It Takes Time…
Learning to ride proficiently takes time. It requires practice and dedication. You have to want to do it. For beginner riders, expect to have to spend several hours at least a week honing your skills. In addition to riding, it may be learning how to saddle your horse correctly, how to mount and dismount properly, how to lunge a horse, or even just how to lead it correctly.
You may want to help your body adjust to the demands of horse riding by taking up yoga or some form of strength training. These will help improve your balance, strengthen your core, and tone up your muscles.
Is Learning To Ride A Horse Easy?
Is learning to ride a horse easy? No, it’s not easy for most people. Riding a horse requires dedication, commitment, and a degree of good physical co-ordination and balance. In the beginning, you’ll be stiff and sore because you’re using muscles you probably don’t use very often. You may experience some chafing, which can also be uncomfortable! However, perseverance is key, and if you can keep at it, you’ll be rewarded with an experience like no other.
