Comments on: How to Ride Horseback

on 12/30/2006 ...and you do point your toes. like a / so that when you kick the horse it'll feel it.

on 12/30/2006 You don't do anything with your hips when you want the horse to go. The horse can't feel it, so it doesn't do anything whatsoever.

on 8/28/2006 When you're cantering, it's important not to keep your hands still, with a medium length rein like you must in the trot. If you hold your hands still, you're pulling on the horses mouth as he canters, and moves his neck forward and back. Consequently, the horse may slow to a trot again, or get mad, and try to buck or something of the nature. The way I've been taught is to move your hands with the motion of the horses neck, that way you can keep your reins the length you need, and not hurt the horse. I've also seen people ride at the canter by lengthening the reins.

on 8/8/2006 Horseback riding requires much practice and balance. I extremely recommend that you take lessons. Even though they may be costly, they are worth it!

on 8/8/2006 Don't forget that you have a voice, and don't be afraid to use it. Your horse will probably respect voice commands much more than hard kicks and jerks on the reins. When you want to speed up, cluck your tongue. When you want to slow down, tell your horse "easy." When you want to stop, tell your horse "whoa." Some horses are also trained by the words of the pace such as walk on, trot, canter, and halt. But always remember not to yell at your horse. Good luck and speak up!

on 8/8/2006 At the walk you want to leave a little bit of slack in your reins, but not too lose and loopy, and not pulling on the horse's mouth. It is important to always remember to have contact with your horse by the bit. When asking for the trot, gather your reins a bit. Once you feel comfortable, let your reins slightly loosen. When cantering you should loosen your reins quite a bit so your horse can rock his head forward.

on 8/8/2006 When you ride, it is important to let your horse know that you are in control. You can do this on the first lap of your trot. Be sure to go all the the way around the ring and not cut corners.

on 7/25/2006 As an experienced horse trainer, rider, and competitor myself, the thing I hate most in other riders is oversized egos! The riders who think they are great, and try to tell other people what to do. There will be a time in your riding in which you will feel good about yourself, and there will be someone at a lower level than you. But remember, you always have more to learn! You will never get to a point where you know it all. So if there are people more experienced than you, you have no business bossing around other riders, even if you are just trying to help! This doesn't pertain to beginner riders as much, but if you stick with riding, this will be useful to you in time. Always be a good sport!

on 3/28/2006 When riding, if your instructor gives you an instruction that you don't know how to do, don't be afraid to ask how! Some riders just nod and try to figure it out on their own, but it's better to learn the right way. Here are some things that your instructor may tell you do do that could get you confused:
1. On the bit
2. Rounding
3. Tracking up
4. Close contact
5. Track to the right/left

on 3/14/2006 If you are in the lineup, and your horse starts backing up, it means you are probably accidentally pulling a little on the reins. To stop this from happening, as soon as you get into the line up, loosen your reins.

on 12/16/2005 From elementary school to high school I've gotten the nasty "horseback riding is not a sport" comment when I've voiced that I was an avid rider. The object is to create a partnership and make it look easy! That's why the person who is flailing around in the saddle gets laughed at all the time. It takes, time, effort, energy, and muscular endurance. If you look closely, most active riders have lean muscles and may look more like dancers.

If you're unfit, then get in shape if you're planning to ride heavily. If you're jumping, riding heavily, or eventing (what I do) then it's essential that you're in shape. If it wasn't hard it wouldn't be an Olympic event.

Horseback riding involves animals that are usually over a 1000 pounds that have thoughts, fears, bad habits, and (more often than not) like to be naughty. You can't just jump on and take off. If you're riding with a guide on a 17 year old horse or being led around on a pony ride, great. If you plan to start riding then expect something a lot different.

on 11/22/2005 It doesn't make sense to automatically kick your horse twice. If your horse responds to one kick then stop, don't kick him again. Also try bumping the horse with the inside of your calf persistently until the horse moves. A lot of horses give into it quicker than when they get slammed in the side with your heels, which might make them mad. Don't bump every single time you ask the horse to move, use your normal aids first, and then if they don't respond then take it to kicking, cropping, bumping. The same thing goes with cropping, it's kind of foolish to think that every horse will respond to three taps with the crop. Some horses need more, others need only one reminder.

Before I got my horse I took riding lessons on school horses, one which was very stubborn in going forward. One of the methods my instructor used: Have a dressage whip, and when your horse flat-out refuses to move off your leg, take the whip and lightly, and I mean very lightly, tap the horse far down his rump at the very top of the tail bone.

on 11/22/2005 I will usually do this when my horses decide it's appropriate to run away from the monsters that lurk everywhere. If saying their name doesn't work, then I'll work on bending. Bend to the right for a few strides, then release (yes, I mean release, if you just hang on your horse than he'll do the same to you)for a few strides, then bend to the left, release. After your horse seems to be relaxing, gradually make the periods that you release longer.

Also, you can desensitize. This might take a few sessions, or it could work with one. Have someone else help you out with this. Get the horse on a longe line and have your partner bang things and make loud noises in the ring, open up umbrellas, run around, but first make sure that you have the ring to yourself or get the other people's permission. Your horse will probably totally flip out at first, when he does tell him "easy" in a firm voice, and eventually he'll get used to these things and find out that most things in the world aren't going to eat him.

on 11/22/2005 When a horse gets a little restless, talk calmly to it. Slowly approach the horse from one side and gently stroke it over the eyes.

on 11/22/2005 There is so much to learn when riding a horse, but one good thing to think about is that a horse is very in touch with the person on it's back. This means that if you get scared, the horse will be scared as well. Alway try to relax and move with the horse. Feel the horse moving under you and try to not let any space come between you and the horse. Look at your position (this is more for western riders) and where your legs and hands are located. You want to have a strait line from your ear to your shoulder, hip, and heel. Keep your heels down and look ahead. If you ride with neck reins (one hand on the reins), have your position correct. You want the angle of your elbow to be at ninety degrees, with your hand over the horn. Use your left hand and keep your right hand on your leg. Use your body weight to control the horse, as well as your legs. Look at where you want the horse to turn. If you follow these steps you will have a smoother ride.