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Basic horse care, such as grooming, de-worming and regular feeding, are a fundamental part of horseback riding. Find out some simple ways to care for a horse and learn horseback riding tips in this free video series from a equestrian team coach.
There are 24 videos in this series:
When mounting a horse, tighten the girth, hold on to the reins and put the left foot in the stirrup. Mount a horse in the proper position with tips from an equestrian team coach in this free video on horseback riding.
Keeping hands upright, hold a horse's reins in between the ring and pinkie fingers. Learn more about holding a horse's reins with tips from an equestrian team coach in this free video on horseback riding.
Back up a horse by applying pressure with the reins and squeezing the horse with the inside of the legs. Get more information on how to back up on a horse with tips from an equestrian team coach in this free video on horseback riding.
Take safety precautions when dressing for horseback riding, such as helmets, closed-toe shoes, riding pants and gloves. Learn to dress for horseback riding with tips from an equestrian team coach in this free video on horseback riding.
To check a horse's heart rate, place a stethoscope behind the elbow, count heart beats for 15 seconds and multiple by four. Learn more about checking a horse's heart rate with tips from an equestrian team coach in this free video on horseback riding.
Use a soft towel to clean your horse's ears. Discover more about how to clean a horse's ear with tips from an equestrian team coach in this free video on horseback riding.
The most important thing to remember when feeding a horse carrots is to keep the hand flat. Find out how to feed a horse carrots with tips from an equestrian team coach in this free video on horseback riding.
To care for a horse in pasture, make sure that basic health needs are met, avoid a barbed wire fence and add nutritional supplements to the horse's diet. Discover more about how to care for a horse in a pasture with tips from an equestrian team coach in this free video on horseback riding.
To care for a horse in a stable, muck stalls regularly, line the stall with fresh saw dust and supply fresh water and food. Learn more about caring for a horse in a stable with tips from an equestrian team coach in this free video on horseback riding.
To groom a horse, use the proper tools, such as curry combs, hard brushes and a hoof pick. Find out how to groom a horse with tips from an equestrian team coach in this free video on horseback riding.
Start with the lower legs to wash a horse, and avoid frightening the horse by keeping the water pointed down. Wash a horse with tips from an equestrian team coach in this free video on horseback riding.
When saddling a horse, use three or four fingers to measure the saddle's gullet in order to prevent back soreness. Find out how to saddle a horse with tips from an equestrian team coach in this free video on horseback riding.
Tacking up a horse involves placing the saddle on a horse's back, attaching the girth and securing the bridle. Tack up a horse with tips from an equestrian team coach in this free video on horseback riding.
To bridle a horse, practice getting a horse to open its mouth, attaching the nose band and securing the throat latch. Bridle a horse with tips from an equestrian team coach in this free video on horseback riding.
Feed a stabled horse grain twice a day and supply them with ample hay. Find out more about feeding a stabled horse with tips from an equestrian team coach in this free video on horseback riding.
To jump a horse, keep your heels down, reins tight and trot into the jump. Learn to jump a horse with tips from an equestrian team coach in this free video on horseback riding.
Care for your horse's hooves by picking hooves daily, monitoring for thrush and applying a conditioner to the outer part of the hoof. Discover more about how to care for your horse's hooves with tips from an equestrian team coach in this free video on horseback riding.
Teach your horse to pick up its hoof by leaning against the horse, running a hand down the leg, squeezing the base and picking up the hoof. Discover how to teach your hose to pick up a hoof with tips from an equestrian team coach in this free video on horseback riding.
Fit an English saddle on your horse by placing saddle pads on whithers, moving the saddle onto the spine and attaching the girth. Learn to fit an English saddle on a horse with tips from an equestrian team coach in this free video on horseback riding.
To safely tie up your horse, use the cross tie method that secures the lower and side rings of a halter. Find out more about tying up a horse with tips from an equestrian team coach in this free video on horseback riding.
To make your horse trot, start with a sitting trot, which requires squeezing legs together to encourage the horse to move forward. Learn to trot your horse with tips from an equestrian team coach in this free video on horseback riding.
Starting with a sitting trot, canter your horse by increasing leg pressure. Learn to canter a horse with tips from an equestrian team coach in this free video on horseback riding.
To lead a horse safely, always stand on the left side and make sure not to wrap your hand around the rope. Find out more about leading horses with tips from an equestrian team coach in this free video on horseback riding.
When giving a horse a shot, stick a needle in the triangle part of the neck or the hindquarters. Learn to give horses shots with tips from an equestrian team coach in this free video on horseback riding.
Man has enjoyed a unique relationship with the horses on this planet. Horses have carried individuals into battle, brave and without fear. They’ve helped people travel over long stretches of terrain. In some parts of the world, they still pull the farmer’s plows and carry loads. They’ve been indispensable in herding and driving cattle. The police have mounted horse patrols for crowd control situations in urban environments. There is no question: horses have proven to be well-suited for human life, expressing qualities of loyalty and bravery, responding to commands, and usually having a calm, docile demeanor. In this free video series, learn some basics about horse case and horseback riding. Mara Keith-Hunter is a lifelong equestrian who is also an equestrian team coach. She discusses the basics of caring for horses: feeding horses, cleaning horse ears, grooming horses and washing horses. Discover how to pick up a horse's legs to clean their hooves. Also, find out how to saddle and bridle a horse. Curious about how to get on a horse? Let Keith-Hunter explain an easy way to mount horses. Learn to ride a horse, including how to back up and how to jump a horse. So, take a moment, and discover more about horseback riding today!
Mara Keith-Hunter Mara Keith-Hunter is a lifelong equestrian and head coach for the Hampshire College equestrian team. She rode in the Intercollegiate National Horse Show for both the University of Findlay and the University of Massachusetts on their English equestrian teams. Keith-Hunter received an associates degree in equine studies at the University of Findlay and a bachelor’s degree in equine business management at the University of Massachusetts. Part of the University of Findlay reserve national team two years in a row, Keith-Hunter individually earned both champion and reserve champion honors. Currently she teaches riding lessons and trains horses at Sycamore Stables in Amherst, Massachusetts.dkdk
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