Horseback Riding Tips for Beginners
71
There are several things that beginners should know when they start working with horses.
- Always approach a horse on the side near the shoulder. Horses have blind spots directly in front and directly behind them because their eyes are placed on the side of their heads so if you come straight at them they won't see you. Approaching at the shoulder is safe because there is no way for the horse to kick you.
- NEVER SIT DOWN NEXT TO A HORSE! This sounds like fairly common sense but if your horse has a lot of gunk in his hoof, it can be tempting to get down on your knees to get it out. The problem here, is that on your knees you do not have the ability to get up in time if the horse was to kick. If you are standing you may have a chance to get out of the way before he kicks you.
- While riding, always look where you want to go, don't look down. Horses are very sensitive to the slightest body movement and will generally go where you are looking, especially horses that beginners would be riding.
- HEELS DOWN! You will hear this constantly from your trainer but always, always, always keep those heels down. Keeping your heels down is kind of like your break mechanism. If the horse stops suddenly you have a way to stop yourself from flying forward over the horse's head.
- Mounting with a mounting block is safer for you and better for your horse. You may be tempted to mount from the ground but the pressure it adds to your horse is not comfortable.
- Always mount the horse on the left side.
- When in the posting trot, let the natural bounce of the horse's trot do the work, don't force yourself to do all of that up and down work, you'll die of exhaustion! It's a natural way of moving if you just let your hips flow with the horse's body.
vote upvote downshareprintflag
- Useful (15)
- Funny (3)
- Awesome (5)
- Beautiful (5)
- Interesting (7)
CommentsLoading...
these are really great tips that will help me know more when I go to my first lesson, thanks!
Thanks for these tips but out of curiosity why always the left side for mounting?
Great tips, I just got a few horses and can use all the help I can get.
Ive been riding 9 years now and these are fab tips for biginners
hi thanks for these tips i like the posting one the best i ride frosty shes a grey arabian and has a bouncy trot but i will try
Arabians are some of my faves, but posting is one of those techniques you gotta learn in order to ride them. Best of luck =D
Thank you, these tips are great! I am going for my first lesson in a few weeks and these will help a lot. :) By the way, your horse is beautiful!
Thanks you.... will keep these in mind for my next class
I hope these help me not embarress myself too many times.Thanks!
hi great tips!
Will keep them in mind.
thanx for the tips i am a big fan of horses
ITS REALLY A HELPFUL TIP FOR A BEGINNER LIKE ME.
Hi Dana.
Good info on the basics of riding! But I have a little helpful tip for you. When I was younger, I was taught the same thing about always mounting the horse on the left side, but have you ever wondered why? I have since learned that this started from the US Calvary days when they all had to mount their horses from the same side so they wouldn't crash into each other while in formation. Also, because their rifles with bayonettes were usually hung on the right side of the saddle, so mounting on the left kept the men from impaling themselves on their own weapons. So guess what? Horses can be taught to mount from either side! (: Yes, they can be ambidextrous. In fact, I always teach my horses and those I train for other people to always lead in halter from either side and to mount and dismount and be saddled from both sides as well. It really comes in handy if you get in a sticky situation out on the trail and the only way to get back on your horse is from the right side. Keep in mind their eyes are connected to different sides of their brain from each other (they don't relay information to each other), so when they're used to always seeing something with their left eye, it doesn't mean they'll know it or remember it with their right eye. Strange, I know, but that's how they work. Have you ever ridden in an arena and your horse did fine going past the coat or saddle hanging over the fence in one direction, but when you turn around to go the other direction, they spook at it? Well, that's why. Just a little food for thought. Keep up the good work and don't be afraid to ask anybody and everybody in the horse world as many questions as you can. There is no such thing as a stupid horse question. Better to be safe than sorry! (:
Be blessed and stay safe!
Diana
Thanks! I didn't know that! I am currently working with very green mare who is such a butt about mounting and I've been mounting her on the trail from the right side sometimes because that's where the rocks are. lol. But it's such a habit for ME to mount on the left side that it feels weird to my body to do that.
Hey Dana,
I know ALL about using rocks or fences or truck tailgates or small hills to mount a horse. lol Especially if it's a tall horse with an English saddle and there's nobody around to give you a leg up! You gotta do what ya gotta do sometimes. (:
Yeah, it'll feel weird for awhile doing everything "backwards" from the other side. You might even accidently boot your horse in the hip as you're swinging your leg over, but it sounds like you ride a lot and you're good at it, so it'll get as easy as the left side in no time.(: Much luck with your green mare.
Be blessed and stay safe,
Diana
p.s. Keep in touch. I might have some good info for ya that you may not already know on gentle horse training techniques. Maybe you can teach me something new too! Even after 30 years of teaching and caring for horses, I'm ALWAYS open to new suggestions and trying new things as long as they're humane. (:
take care sweet potato
Hey! Thank you SO much 4 these tips! I love 2 horse-back ride, these r great reviews!!!
thanks i have had 5 lessons so far and really enjoyed them on my second i was goinng over jumps whick i have mever dne before and dne my first canter in the last lesson and enjoyed it.
these tips have really helped me thanks for them
Great brief info on horses. People will actually take the time to read what you have because you've presented it well. And your horses are beautiful, too!
i loooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooove horses, ponies and donkeys!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
These are great tips! I just bought my wonderful chestnut mare, Star, and I haven't ridden her yet s I'll be sure to keep these amazing tips in mind!
thank you for these tips on horse riding i love your tips.thank you SO MUCH!!!!!
Thanks for these- i am having my first lesson today- will remember!
These are all useful tips. Thanks all! I am very excited to be on my first lesson tomorrow :-)
these tips are very helpful,especially for me,because im going for my first lesson in a week from now. I'm 14 and very nervous but excited,i hope your tips help me!
I agree with you. Never sit next to a horse! Better be safe than sorry...
nikki 2 years ago
Thanks so much these are great tips!