6 Useful Tips for Beginner Horseback Riders

Horses are some of the most majestic creatures in the world. The strong character but mellow personality usually draws individuals to this beautiful animal. If you love horses and would like to be closer to them, you may consider horseback riding as a new hobby, to either keep you entertained or so that you can attend horse show events with your own stallion later on.

Riding a horse is more complex than actors make it look like on TV. You need skill and there are certain factors that you must take into consideration in order to do this properly. If you have no experience, you may struggle slightly the first time you ride a horse. For this reason, you must be aware of what you need to do to improve and overcome any challenges. In this article, we will provide you with … tips for beginner horseback riders, so that you can adequately prepare yourself for this new activity.

1. Maintain Appropriate Posture

Horseback riding may feel slightly uncomfortable, to begin with and requires much more strength than you think – so much so that you may get sore muscles the next day. However, it is crucial that you are aware of your posture and always maintain an appropriate position as this will make a massive difference in your ability to keep your balance and positively connect with the horse when on the saddle.

2. Safety First

You may have chosen horseback riding as a new hobby for your love of horses and to have fun. However, you must think about your own safety as well as the horses. Take the time to find a local stable with a positive reputation that is clean and legitimate and it is somewhere you know the horses are looked after. Additionally, there should be a qualified equestrian instruction who must be registered with the appropriate association and has experience training those with no experience.

3. Dress the Part

Riding a horse requires you to wear suitable clothing that will not get in the way of you learning this new skill. First and foremost, long trousers are a must to protect your skin from rubbing against the saddle. You require good footwear with a small heel and that does not show your toes. Gloves and helmets are also a must to protect your hands and your head in case of an incident. The equestrian fashionistas at Ayr Equestrian recommend buying specific attire that you will solely use when riding a horse. There is a range of styles available out there so that you can be safe, comfortable, and looking stylish!

4. Be Prompt and Get to Know Your Horse

Being late is never a good start to anything – not only it gives off a bad impression about yourself, but it will also make you feel rushed and unprepared. If you know you have a class one day, make sure to arrive promptly with a few minutes to spare before the start of the class. This is essential as it will provide you with some time to get to know your buddy. Horses may become skittish around new people, therefore you will need to be patient and to have the time to create a bond. A good tip is to ensure that you always stay on the left side of the horse, as this is usually what they are expecting from human beings.

5. Listen Up

If you have no previous experience of horseback riding, it is a smart move to study horses and understand how they view their surroundings, how they interact with other animals and humans and how you can best develop a connection with them. It is very likely that the horse you ride is used to engaging with humans, which will significantly facilitate your experience. However, you should still take the time to understand how horses are within the animal kingdom and in their natural habitat.

6. Check, Please

We have discussed above the importance of arriving early to your class so that you can meet the horse and bond prior to jumping into the saddle. Another reason to be timely is so that you can make all the necessary checks before riding your horse. All the equipment must be adequately placed and safe. You should have an instructor supporting you with this, although it is good for you to know what checks you should be doing yourself. This will increase safety as well as ensure that the horse is comfortable.

Riding a horse can be an amazing experience, but you will certainly need to give it a bit of time before you identify yourself as an experienced equestrian. The tips discussed above will provide you some guidance on how to start this new activity so you begin this successfully and have more chances of staying safe and enjoying yourself.