How to ride horses

we are going to learn to ride a horse,so we need to know how to mount first dismount last,how to sit properly,ask requests of the horse to turn,stop,go etc.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• quiet horse,maybe a mounting block,helmut,boots,horse correctly fitted with bridle and saddle

1. to mount stand to left of horse,(near side).rider should be somewhere about shoulder of horse.take near side reins at the bit,with the right hand.
2. facing the right(offside) hip of the horse,take the near side (left side)stirrup iron in your right hand.place left foot in stirrup iron,right hand over pommel of saddle,thumb in gullet,fingers on off side of the pommel,
3. with knee close to pony shoulder swing lightly up,do not let your left toe dig into horse's ribs he could move off or take fright.swing right leg with knee bent over and into saddle.sink deeply into the saddle.place right foot in off side stirrup iron.
4. place right hand on offside reins,holding left hand near side rein,right hand offside rein,.keep thumbs up and over rein.look between the horse's ears (through the poll)
5. to dismount take reins in right hand,place right hand on pommel of saddle,with thumb in gullet, fingers pointing downwards,on offside of pommel.take the right foot out of the right (offside)stirrup.
6. pass the right leg over rump (hind)of horse,when reaching the ground rider will be facing the offside hip of the horse.take out left foot,face the pony.another way is to take both feet out of the stirrups and swing both legs to the ground,some instructor's consider this not as safe.

Tips & Warnings

• always wear correct gear,act sensibly around horses as they are by nature a flight animal.