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Mastering horseback riding skills enabled people, such as the Romans, the British and Native Americans, to expand their territories, seek out new food supplies and alter their lifestyles. Today, in modern societies, horseback riding is primarily a sporting or recreational event. Horseracing, rodeos and horseshows bring in spectators... more »
Group riding lessons are often the most practical and cost-efficient for students and instructors alike. They also provide valuable experience in observing arena etiquette and anticipating the behavior of other riders and horses nearby. And of course, hopefully students will learn from the mistakes or successes of their peers. more »
I am convinced that some children are just born with an innate love of horses, and are drawn to riding and working with the animals as soon as they realize the possibility exists. Many ambitious parents pick up on their young child's enthusiasm, and enroll her in lessons expecting that she will quickly be able to handle the horse on... more »
Choosing a helmet for equestrian sports is a combination of fashion and function. Helmets should be comfortable, well ventilated and above all, safe. Knowing about helmet safety standards before you buy a new riding helmet can mean the difference between mild whiplash and permanent brain damage. more »
Is your horse not going the way you want it to? Are "forward" and "fast" the only words it understands? If you answered yes to either question, try these steps to learn how to tell your horse to back up. more »
Despite the size and power of horses, a simple horse back ride through the country side can be a...
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Learning to ride a horse takes practice and patience. It's a challenging but rewarding experience. Just remember that everyone started somewhere,... more »
Both beginner and expert riders are always looking to further improve their horseback riding skills. You can either learn to perform some tricks... more »
Throughout history, horses have been used in a variety of ways for common transportation. With the advancement of technology, however, horseback... more »
Therapeutic horseback riding for those who have developmental or physical disabilities is a terrific way to improve self-esteem, balance and... more »
Horseback riding is a sport enjoyed by 30 million Americans of all ages each year. Horseback riding can be safe if you take the proper safety... more »
:For the Roman class, see Equestrian (Roman)
Equestrianism refers to the skill of riding or driving horses. This broad description includes both use of horses for practical, working purposes as well as recreational activities and competitive sports.
Overview of equestrian activities
Horses are trained and ridden for practical working purposes such as in police work or for controlling herd animals on a ranch. They are also used in competitive sports including, but not limited to, dressage, endurance riding, eventing, reining, show jumping, tent pegging, vaulting, polo, horse racing, driving, and rodeo. (See additional equestrian sports listed later in this article for more examples.) Some popular forms of competition are grouped together at horse shows, where horses perform in a wide variety of disciplines. Horses (and other equids such as mules and donkeys) are used for non-competitive recreational riding such as fox hunting, trail riding or hacking. There is public access to horse trails in almost every part of the world; many parks, ranches, and public stables offer both guided and independent riding. Horses are also used for therapeutic purposes, both in specialized paraequestrian competition as well as non-competitive riding to improve human health and emotional development.
Horses are also driven in harness racing, at horse shows and in other types of exhibition, historical reenactment or ceremony, often pulling carriages. In some parts of the world, they are still used for practical purposes such as farming.
Horses continue to be used in public service: in traditional ceremonies (parades, funerals), police and volunteer mounted patrols, and for mounted search and rescue.
History of horse use
Though there is controversy over the exact date horses were domesticated and when they were first ridden, the best estimate is that horses first were ridden approximately 4,500 BC. Indirect evidence suggests that hors read more at » http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Equestrianism
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