Lifestyle and Leisure: How to Safely Ride a Horse

An estimated 3.5 million people have ridden a horse in the past year. It’s no wonder. Riding a horse is a wonderful magical experience, that is if you know what you’re doing.

So before you jump in the saddle, take some time and learn how to ride a horse first. That way, you’ll be prepared to take the reins.

Start on the Ground

Learning to ride a horse starts long before you get into the saddle. You have to learn how to safely walk around your horse, how to groom and care for them, and how to put on their gear before you can even get started.

And these are all vital steps too.

If you don’t know how to act around your horse, you can spook them, or they can kick you. If you don’t keep your horse groomed, they can bruise their hooves or get saddle sores. And if you don’t put the tack on right, it can slip off, and send you tumbling to the dirt.

Don’t Panic

Horses easily sense what their riders are feeling, and they feed off that energy. If you’re freaking out in the saddle, your horse will pick up on that too, and they can get spooky.

Horses are also sensitive to the way you grip the reins or hold on with your legs. When you’re riding, squeezing your legs against your horse will tell them to pick up speed – the last thing you want when you don’t feel safe.

So take a deep breath and remember your horse will take care of you. So relax, and enjoy the ride.

Follow the Rules

If you’re going for a trail ride, there will be a lot of rules you’re supposed to follow. Wear a helmet, stay on the course, no running or jumping. You may have imagined a wild west style horse riding adventure, but that’s not the case.

Even still, you need to follow the rules. They’re in place to protect your horse just as much as they are to protect you. Even Superman fell off a horse and was never able to walk again, and doing things like running your horse downhill can make them break a leg.

So follow the rules, they’re there for a reason. You should also learn how to avoid horseback riding mistakes so you have a better time.

Learning How to Ride a Horse Is a Rewarding Experience

Learning how to ride a horse is an exciting experience, but one that can leave you very hurt if you don’t take it seriously. Until you’re an experienced equestrian, follow the rules, stay safe, and trust your horse.

Making dumb choices when you’re in the saddle could not only get you hurt or killed, it could hurt your horse too. Those rules are there for a reason, but these tips will help you have a safe, fun time.

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