Im goin horse ridin for the first time in a few days, any tips?

Question

in a few days im goin Horse ridin i am fairly comfortable around horses and am ok petting/rubbing them. I just want to know does anyone have any tips for a first time horse rider and what shouldnt i do?

thanks,

no sarcasm thanks!

Answer 1

Heads up, heels down.  Seriously, keeping your heels down in the stirrups and your legs under you (not in front of your body) helps secure your seat.

Don't worry about trotting or cantering, just keep it simple at a walk until you are sure you have control.  There is no shame being "ponied" (led by another rider on a line), and I highly recommend it if the other rider is very experienced.

I hope this is a lesson, the first on your path to a lifetime of riding!!

Answer 2

Heels down, shoulders back, the idea is to feel he horses tongue with the reins without restricting any movement. The most important thing for you is balance, hence you should concentrate on your posture first and foremost.

Answer 3

Get a nice soft cushion ready for after.......lol

Answer 4

Don't put your feet behind the stirrups. If they get in the flank they'll might buck you off. That is their tickleish spot.

          Jake Randall

Answer 5

be freindly with the horse before you get on so he or she will get to know you eg by petting and rubbing him or her  ps dont fall off

Answer 6

juse have some fun and enjoy gool lock with it

Answer 7

Wear a riding helmet and follow Geoff D's advice...

if youve got latent piles thats the best way to bring em on !!

OOOOH!!!!

Answer 8

don't wear jeans!!

if you're not used to riding then jeans will rub you raw on your inner thighs and hurt like h**l!!

also, don't try and be too brave, if you're a beginner then say so and don't expect to run before you can walk.

don't approach a horse from the back. They can't see round there and you may spook it, they can kick like anything and it bl**dy hurts.

hope you have a great time

Answer 9

horsebackridin is fun you just stay relaxed and listen to the trainer!!

Answer 10

Be calm.  If your tense or scarred a horse can tell and they will stress out.  You dont want that.  Also be prepared to have sore legs, at first your legs will hurt but you will get use to it once you develop muscle.

Answer 11

Have fun and relax! Don't make things too complicated for yourself by thinking about everything.  Just go with the horse and you'll be fine.

Answer 12

Don't get all tense, and act nervous.  Horses can sense it when you get nervous, and they will know that you aren't actually in control.  When you get in the saddle, and start riding, relax, and move with the  horse.  If you do that, you won't be as stiff the next day.

Answer 13

Don't fall off and land on your head.

Answer 14

Make sure that you wear a helmet and correct footwear- this means hard-soled shoes or boots with a heel of at least 2 inches or more. Please, for your own safety, DO NOT WEAR SNEAKERS !!! It is very easy to get a foot caught in the stirrup if you should fall- and there have been plenty of riders who have been dragged to their deaths that way. You can wear jeans to ride in- I wear them all the time, and I have NEVER experienced the kind of chafing that one of the other responders talks about. Finally, I would also make sure that the helmet is on my head correctly, and that the safety harness ( what some people refer to as the chin strap) is adjusted properly. Make sure that you also tell the barn staff that you are a beginner rider, so that they can match you with a safe, quiet, beginner's horse. When walking or working around horses, keep your voice DOWN, and turn off or silence your cell phone, pager, or blackberry if you have one. ( It's also not a good idea to carry or wear a cell phone in a holder attached to your body- if it drops, not only can the horse step on it, but it will likely get broken from the impact of the fall.) Move slowly when approaching a horse- they are startled by sudden movements. WALK, NEVER RUN, when around them. Most of all, HAVE FUN !!! Hope this helps.

Answer 15

make sure the saddle is fitted properly,nothing worse than a saddle that moves round!

Answer 16

Just make sure you're relaxed :) The best horse riders are always the relaxed ones, as if you're nervous horses pick up on this very easily & it makes them nervous too (as they wonder what it is you're scared of!).  Introduce yourself to your horse before you start riding & give him/her a pat/stroke every so often to let him know him/her know they're being good. Horses are v well behaved for people they like :)

Tell the instructor that you've never ridden before & keep to the basics, that way you'll be even more confident next time!

oh and try not to wear jeans with a seam down the inside as it can rub against your leg & hurts loads!

Have fun!

Answer 17

Dont look where you dont want to go. If you are looking at the ground that is where you will end up. Relax. Have fun. Ride with people you trust. Most of all dont yank on the reins.

Answer 18

Make sure you don't drink too much fluid before you go.  I made this serious mistake years ago before going on what turned out to be a very testing time.

Answer 19

try not to walk directly behind the horse or be to jittery if you want the horse to go give it a kick but not too hard and only do it when you are on the horse!