Horse Riding

Horse riding involves more than just hopping on the horse’s back and trotting off. You need to know a little bit about how horses think, how to sit properly and what to do when things go wrong. In other words, you need lessons – just as if you were learning a musical instrument.

Horse riding lessons are the ideal way to learn to ride, gain confidence, or further your horse riding skills and knowledge and a qualified horse riding instructor can help you have the best experience from the start. In your lessons you will learn grooming, saddling, ground control, walking, trotting and cantering in harmony with the horse. As you advance you will progress to leg yielding, riding on the bit and jumping. You will need to purchase riding boots and because helmets are compulsory, you may decide to get one from the start too. Riding lessons in a group start from about $40-$50 per person.

The basic step is to learn the correct riding position. The rider must sit with a tall straight back, heels should always be turned down. This makes you more secure and stops your foot from being caught in the stirrup. Reins should be held in both hands between the little finger and the ring finger and out the top. To persuade the horse to walk forward, the rider needs to squeeze his legs against the horse’s sides and relax the reins. Whistling or clicking could also help sometimes. Once you master the basics, you can visit an equestrian centre, where dressage, show jumping, hacking, breed shows, polocrosse, clinics, harness driving, natural horsemanship and western events are held.

If you love horses, and want a closer relationship through some kind of horse riding sport, look out for your local horse riding club for details on lessons and how to get involved. There will be all levels of horse riding available, from beginner to expert.