If you have access to a horse and horseback riding equipment, you can safely skip this section and move on to the next section to learn how to handle and prepare a horse for riding. However if inexperienced and not under supervision, riding under the supervision of trained coach would be both safer and a more enjoyable experience.
If you’re considering buying a horse outright, it’s important to make all the considerations of price before you get too attached. Horses are living creatures, requiring feed, water, and attention every day, as well as a clean pasture area and stable or stall to protect it from the weather. They also require regular veterinary care, and hoof care by a qualified farrier, who trims the hooves and re-shoes the horse when needed. Also, don’t just ride your horse for a day a week. Horse riding is a large commitment, and before you buy, remember your horse needs a lot of attention. [3] X Trustworthy Source American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Leading organization dedicated to the prevention of animal cruelty Go to source
When selecting a size, make sure you have the horses height and breed as well as conformation and size. A child rider usually is a 10 inch (25. 4 cm) or so, but some saddles are suited to stocky fat ponies and some are suited to elegant lanky horses. Most beginners should start with “General” or “All Purpose” saddles, though saddles come in many styles and varieties each depending on the style and purpose of riding. A Western Saddle is usually only used for Western riding, while a Jumping Saddle is used for Show Jumping. The saddle cloth should be large enough to fit the saddle and have about an inch or two all the way around the saddle. This helps protect the saddle and stops the saddle from pinching the horse.
The bit and bridle must be proper for the horse, and different bits and bridles must be tried with the horse to find the best combination, as each horse is unique and sensitive to minute changes within the bridle setup. It’s usually recommended that this component be handled by a trainer or other person highly experienced with horses, as an improperly chosen bit or poorly adjusted bridle may possibly endanger the horse while attempting to ride. Note that you should have one wrinkle when putting in a bit, or less.
Curry Comb, used to remove dry dirt and excessive hair Dandy Brush, which is a stiff brush used to remove mud and hard stains Body Brush, which is a soft bristled brush for bringing a shine and used on the face and delicate areas) Hoof pick, to remove mud and stones from hooves Mane comb, used to brush mane and forelock A sponge for cleaning the nose and eyes and removing sweat marks after riding
Boots should be flat-soled, preferably pointed, and they must have a heel, all to facilitate the easy removal of the boot from the stirrup should anything go wrong. Jodhpurs are tight pants designed specifically for riding, and are usually considered the best choice, giving the most flexibility and give for riding. When you’re first starting, any durable pair of pants would be satisfactory, as long as they allow for a full range of movement. Riding shirts should have sleeves to prevent sunburn, or simply any shirt which breathes well, for comfort while on the horse. Gloves may be another choice, as some may see their fingers irritated by the reins, or they may prefer the grip provided by the material.
Feed and water the horse if you have opportunity, once again cementing a bond with the animal, earning its trust, and learning to trust it, as well. [11] X Research source Many people are surprised, when they find themselves “up close, and personal,” with a horse; with how large and powerful they truly are.
Do not brush the horse’s face; use a towel or a grooming glove on this area. Pick up the horse’s hooves and use a hoof pick to clean out dirt and mud if they appear to be dirty. Pick them up from the side, never stand directly behind or in front of a horse’s legs, for safety reasons.
Lead the horse into the barn and attach the cross ties to the metal ring on the halter near the horses mouth. If there are two rings, the cross ties should be clipped to the metal loops on the sides, closest to the horse’s mouth.
Make sure that the side in contact with the horse is smooth. Often, one side of the girth will have leather tabs sewn down to hold the buckles, while the other is smooth. These tabs must not be face down, as this may cause the horse to experience undue discomfort. saddles have three leather tabs to buckle the girth to, use the two outside leather tabs, ensuring that the middle tab runs beneath the girth and is not twisted or forming any sort of bump. Pull the girth (chest-strap) under the horse and pass the tabs on the saddle through the girth buckles on the horse’s left side. Ensure that it is not twisted. To tighten the girth, pass the leather tab on the saddle through the girth buckle, and then pull up on the end of the leather tab, securing the buckle once the girth is tightened. Ensure that the girth is tightened, and if only one end has elastic, this end should be tightened last.
Walk the horse to a mounting block if so desired. Check that the girth is tight, the saddle should not shift significantly when attempts are made to move it. You should be on the horse’s left side at this point.
Be careful not to kick the horse’s rump as you swing your leg over his hindquarters, as he may begin to move if you do. Then again, they may do this anyway. It may be recommended to have someone else hold the horse while you are mounting. Drop your right foot in the stirrup, lean forward in a semi-standing position just above the saddle, and feel if the saddle seems tight. If it has a tendency to slip, or doesn’t feel tight, dismount, again on the left side, and re-tighten the chest strap.
A second style of steering the horse involves the reins in two hands, where you hold one hand steady while the other exerts gentle pressure straight backwards, thus causing the horse to move away from the pressure, turning in response. The left hand is pulled back while the right hand is held steady, and so the horse turns to the left. It’s important to always defer to your teacher’s instructions when you’re just learning. The specifics of guiding the horse into motion are complex and take lots of practice. Learn from an experience horse rider.
