How To Do Just About Everything
By eHow Pets Editor
Learning to ride a horse can be simple. It just takes practice.
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Learning to ride a horse can be one of the most thrilling experiences of your life, as long as you do it safely. The payoff lies not only in the freedom of galloping across a field on the back of an animal but also in enjoying the wondrous bond between human and horse.
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Comments
ditto said
on 2/6/2008 Actually, if you're looking to learn the basics of horse back riding, ask around, watch a few lessons of several styles, determine what you like. However, know this: Do not go into this wonderful activity with preconceived notions of individuals who have had time to decide for themselves. The decision is yours and yours alone: all styles have both competition and leisure to offer. When it comes to English or Western, don't listen to the preconceived notion that, "Western riding is designed for people to find comfort on a horse from sun-up to sun-down...quite different from English," to quote an earlier comment by stayinthesaddle. While this person most certainly has a right to their own opinion, both styles offer a wide array of recreation--whether it be 'comfort on a horse from sun-up to sun-down' or strict competition (of which both respected styles have more than their share)
Anonymous said
on 1/9/2008 If you are going to be spending a lot of time with a particular horse, you don't want to give too much freedom or be too nice, because when you finally wind up riding him, he will think of you as a friend and not the boss. Still, be loving and kind to your horse.
Anonymous said
on 12/9/2005 I have been riding for a while, so this doesn't usually happen to me, but when you first learn to ride your butt will get sore. So the first couple of times you ride, even if you feel great, you should take it easy. Work up to riding for long periods of time. Each day, ride for a little bit longer and then you will get used to it and you won't get too sore.
Anonymous said
on 11/22/2005 Everyone has fallen off a horse at least once in their experience. If you fall off a horse, you've got to get back on. What would you rather do, fall off and never get back on, or have the time of your life on top of a horse?
stayinthesaddle said
on 1/9/2008 I teach basic western riding lessons, and I can guaratee you that learning the basics (comfort, communication, control and confidence) is the cornerstone of becoming a competent horseman. You need to find someone that can teach you in a meaningful way, someone who can teach you how to actually work with the horse, and someone who not only "looks good" but actually walks the talk. Not all great athletes are great coachs!
In regards to English or Western - learn what you want to ride. Learning English may be beneficial, but if you are going to be a Western rider - seek out a Western instructor and learn ground up from him/her. Western riding is designed for people to find comfort on a horse from sun-up to sun-down (ie. the cowboy way), quite different from English.