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Beginner's Tips For Riding Horses
Learning to ride a horse isn't easy. You will need to keep numerous facts in mind, even ones that do not directly relate to the horse. The appropriate clothing and a properly fitting helmet are essential before you can start. Not performing simple checks from the beginning could not only put you in danger, but also potentially invalidate any claim you may have to make on your horse insurance policy. Now the next steps can be undertaken.
How to mount a horse correctly.
Move to the left of the horse when you have made doubly sure that both bridle and saddle have been fitted correctly. With your left foot in the stirrup grip the withers (mane) not the saddle, which would probably move. Get yourself into a comfortable position in the saddle by pushing yourself up and swinging your free leg cleanly over the horse's back whilst holding the front of the horse or the cantle (the back of the saddle). When comfortable, reassess your grip on the reins and hang both your legs down near the stirrups. They will be at the correct length if the stirrup reaches your ankle. With your foot raised a few inches you should be able to slide your foot into the stirrup. Remember that it is important that you are balanced to the horse, not them to you.
Once satisfactorily mounted...
Keep your upper back straight and lower back relaxed. Avoid slouching in the saddle. Ensure that you have your head raised so that you are able to spot in advance anything which may spook your horse. Your left hand should grasp the left rein, your right hand the right rein. Make sure that the reins are firmly under all four fingers and that they go in under the little fingers. The proper way to hold the reins is with each hand just in front of the saddle and as wide apart as the horse's neck keeping the reins in place between your thumbs and forefingers with your thumbs up and your palms down. To let more rein in, slide it through by lifting your thumbs. Use opposite hand to take up extra length and shorten rein.
How to ride your horse.
The first gait - a slow walk - is initiated by squeezing your lower legs. Stop after a few minutes to make sure that the girth is correctly adjusted. If the space between the horse and the girth is more than the thickness of one hand, the girth will have to be tightened. Continue to walk, with your heels down, chin up and a straight back. It should be possible to imagine a straight line running directly from your shoulders to your heels. A slight pull on the reins will turn the horse's head and thus enable you to change direction. When you need to stop, simply pull back on the reins and sit deep into the saddle; sometimes you may need to lean back, then relax the reins and praise your horse. Releasing the reins when you stop will please the horse and thus discourage him from pulling. Short reins are at risk of being jolted from your hands, so keep them long. Practise these basic moves until you and the horse are comfortable with it all.
When you are both ready, try trotting - the second gait. Pressure on the horse from your legs will make him go faster. With a trot, you need to learn how to rise and sit with the trot of the horse. You will need to rise and sit with the movement of the horse without bumping. At first this will not be easy as there will be new demands upon your muscles! Thinking "lift, sit, lift, sit" in time to the rhythm will help you with this. Try not to sit too heavily as you may unsteady the horse. To slow the horse down sit deep in the saddle whilst giving a gentle pull to the reins. You will need to practise this for a while before you feel relaxed with the movements. When you are comfortable you can try to turn and stop from the trot.
The third gait - cantering - is the next step. This is often only managed after weeks of trotting. To move on to canter you should squeeze your outside leg when it's back a little and then squeeze with your inside leg. The command to canter is sometimes best given when you are sit trotting and therefore ready for it. Once you are in this sitting slightly back position you should feel ready to go. Whilst cantering you should be rocking forward to back with your bottom slightly off of the saddle. Much practice will be needed before you master this movement. Ensure you are wary of your posture and heels as you practice: back on your heels and rocked forward but straight with your body.
Once you are competent with the canter you can try the gallop - the fastest gait. Whilst cantering you can progress to the gallop by squeezing your calves as you did before. As with the canter you should be sitting slightly forward in the saddle, with bottom off the saddle. It is always advisable to ensure that you are fully confident and well-practised with each gait before you move on to the faster gait.
Swing your right leg over the back of the horse when you dismount. By staying well balanced and gripping the saddle firmly you should avoid slipping. As you lower yourself down from the left side with both legs going down at the same time, bend your knees slightly so that you can absorb any shock as you meet the ground.
Some extra tips on handling a horse.
Get to know your horse. If alarmed, the horse could kick you, so approach him carefully from the front or side whilst stroking and talking to him. By moving towards his shoulder he will know that you are approaching him.
You must undertake a proper horse riding programme before you try anything with a horse on your own. Riding alone is not advised and certainly shouldn't be done if you are a beginner.
Even though it will be a shock and could very possibly hurt when you fall off, try to get straight back on.
Avoid kneeling or sitting by a horse as you will not be in a position to move quickly aside should this become necessary.
Make sure that you are comfortable on the horse that you are riding; they will be nervous too if they sense that you are uneasy.
Pain and discomfort to the horse will be the consequence of any yanking of the bit. The horse will be happier and easier to ride if you are gentle with it.
For more tips and advice on caring for horses, horse riding and a brand new equine blog, pay a visit to the new website from AFI Horse Insurance dedicated to looking after you and your horse. As the UK's only not-for-profit pet and equine insurance provider, Animal Friends is your ethical choice.
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![]() |
|
1 pair Cable Stirrup Handles for cable crossovers nylon webbing foam grip US $31.95
|
ANTIQUE LEATHER STEEL HANDLE STIRRUP UNKNOWN ITEM SHABBY DECOR STABLE CABIN WALL US $.99
|
|
CFF Deluxe Chromed Single D Handle Row Stirrup Cable Handle New US $15.05
|
CABLE ATTACHMENT a PAIR of Stirrup Single Handles NEW US $28.99
|
|
TKO Deluxe Stirrup Handle US $28.79
|
Body Solid Pro Grip Stirrup Handle US $33.00
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Deluxe Stirrup Chrome Handle with Urethane Ergo Grip US $30.99
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Just Leather Ladies Stirrup Top Handle Handbag Shoulder Bag Croc Pattern B1 US $99.00
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HAY HOOK WITH A WOOD STIRRUP HANDLE 1 US $9.95
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Just Leather Ladies Stirrup Top Handle Handbag Shoulder Bag Croc Pattern Red R1 US $99.00
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Body Solid Stirrup HandleRubber Grip US $41.99
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Adjustable Nylon Stirrup Handle US $25.99
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Stirrup Handle Stirrup Handlerubber grip US $35.99
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Contour Stirrup Handles one pair US $53.00
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LIGHLY USED PINK ZEBRA BAREBACK PAD GIRTH STIRRUPS HANDLE US $5.00
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STRYKER ELECTRIC BIRTHING BED W STIRRUPS HANDLES US $125.25
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TKO Sports Deluxe Stirrup Chrome Handle 820TSH New US $34.80
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Body Solid Adjustable Nylon Stirrup Handle US $26.00
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TROY Barbell Double Stirrup Handle US $59.00
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York Single Deluxe Stirrup Cable Handle W Rubber Grip US $29.99
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US $31.95
