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To many people riding a horse for the first time can be an exciting and nervous experience. The following will give you suggestions on riding a horse for the first time. It is important that a person riding for the first time be with an experienced rider and a well-trained horse. Trail rides are often a great way to ride a horse for the first time. The horse walks slowly and is very easy to work with.
A person should select a horse that suits the ability of himself/herself. A well mannered: well trained horse is suggested for a beginner. Experienced riders can assist a person through detailed instructions and patience. It is important for the first rider that he/she realizes that a horse can sense a person's nervousness. Although it is hard not to be nervous, having an experienced rider can ease a person nerves.
After a horse is selected for the rider, the first thing is to mount the horse. It is best that a beginner rider mounts the horse on the left side. It is not necessarily always true with a well-trained horse either side may be mounted. The rider stands near the shoulder of the horse turned slightly to the rear. With your left hand hold on to the reins of the bridle, which is over the horse's head resting on his neck. If the rider is not comfortable with this, they can have the experienced rider stand in front of the horse and hold the horse. The beginner rider can then grab the saddle horn along with the reins. With the riders right hand you can hold the cantle of the saddle (back of the saddle). Place your left foot in the stirrup of the saddle.
Now the rider can spring up to stand in the left stirrup.
It is important not to jerk the reins while mounting the horse. Move your right hand to the saddle horn while swinging your right leg over the horse and sit comfortably in the saddle.
Now that you are sitting, hold the reins with both hands, and keep the horse's head up. It is acceptable for a rider to hold the reins with one hand if the rider is more comfortable that way and hold on to the saddle horn with his free hand. The rider's legs should be snuggly against the horse's sides.
To start the horse walking, the rider needs to loosen the reins slightly and squeeze gently the sides of the horse. The rider should let the reins and hands move with the horse. Remember to watch where you are going with the horse. You are in control of where the horse will go. It is wise just to walk with the horse several minutes before going faster.
To control the horse the rider uses his hands, body weight and leg movement. Turning a horse is done simply by tightening the rein in the direction you wish to turn the horse. Left turn means to tighten the left rein and slightly turning wrist the same direction. The rider should turn his/her head to the left and press his/her right knee against the horse. The same thing is to be done for right turns.
Next, the rider should learn to stop the horse. A rider should tilt slightly back and pull gently back on the reins. If the rider is comfortable with saying "whoa" that is a command, many well-trained horses understand. The horse should stop all four legs and stand still until you want the horse to start again. The beginner rider should practice many turns and stops before going at a faster pace with a horse. If the reins are pulled back to tightly on a horse during a stop the horse will start to move backwards. If this happens, just release the reins slightly, and the horse should come to a stop.
If the rider is comfortable with maneuvering the horse then he/she should advance to a faster pace. There are three different gaits of a horse. First is the walk, second is the trot, and third is the canter.
If you wish to make the horse to trot you kick him gently on the sides during a walk and loosen the reins a little more. The rider will be in a movement of a bounce that is difficult for the rider to sit in the saddle during a trot.
A horse will bend its legs more during a trot gait. To make it easier for the rider to sit in the saddle the rider should put weight on his feet with the first beat of the horse and come down with the second beat of the horse. Some beginners can practice this movement of up and down motion while the horse is standing still. Generally, a horse will trot before going into the canter.
The canter is an easier pace for a rider to move with the horse's movement. It is a three beat rhythm gait. A rider can sit in the saddle and move with the horse.
After the rider is done with the horse, it is time to dismount the horse. The rider should put both hands on the saddle horn and the reins in the left hand of the rider. Remove both feet from the stirrups. Swing your right leg over the horse and grab the back on the saddle with your right hand. Bring your right leg to the ground.
Once you are back on the ground you will feel a since of accomplishment. Just remember that it takes lots of practice to become a good rider. Do not give up if you do not have a pleasant experience your first time out. You can expect to be sore after the first ride but as you get more experience the pain will turn into pleasure. Horse back riding can be very fun, so do not give up after the first day.
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