Horseback riding is a rewarding and fun sport, but aspects of it can be dangerous given the strength, speed, height, and unpredictability of a horse. The safest way to learn to ride is with a competent instructor on a quiet school horse. Until riding skills are well established, beginners and especially children should ride under supervision. Here are a few things you should be mindful of when taking up horseback riding.
Before You Begin Your Ride
The first thing you’ll learn about riding may not be the actual riding skills. Learning to correctly tie, groom, and lead a horse are essential skills that help you learn to understand horses, stay safe, and increase your enjoyment. For details on how to stay safe around a horse, check out the Safety Tips for Handling a Horse.
Safe Mount
If you’re just starting to ride, you need a seasoned horse that’s willing to work and has a calm, steady temperament, a horse anyone can mount and ride without worry. You can tell a lot about a horse before you ever get on its back just by watching it for a little while. Does the horse lead quietly and wait patiently to be securely tied? Does it pin its ears or continuously move when being groomed? These are the signs the horse is not comfortable or maybe too energetic for a novice rider.
Saddle Up
It is essential to have a saddle that fits you not only to keep you on the horse’s back but also for comfort and control. Both you and your horse will perform better and be more comfortable with a correctly sized saddle. Learn how to properly put on a saddle and bridle without exposing yourself or the horse to an injury. Do not get discouraged after the first few tries. Like every skill, tacking up a horse takes practice to master it.
Make sure to ask your instructor to check your tack before mounting. Be sure to check the saddle, girth, bit, bridle, reins, and stirrups for cracks and worn areas.
Mounting Up
With your horse waiting, groomed, saddled and ready to ride, you’ll want to get going. However, don’t rush things! It’s important to understand how to mount your horse properly, and once you are mounted how to sit in the saddle until it is time to ride. A child’s horse or pony should stand still for mounting or else be held by an adult until the child is securely in the saddle.
Walk, Halt, and Turn
The first thing your instructor should demonstrate is how to correctly cue the horse. If you have never ridden before, it will take a little time to get used to the motion of the horse. An instructor can teach you safe riding skills such as stopping and turning and how to cue for transitions between gaits.
Riding Safety
Keep your horse under control and maintain a secure seat at all times. Horses are easily frightened by unusual objects and noises. Until you know your horse, confine your riding to an arena or other enclosed area. When your horse becomes frightened, remain calm, speak to it quietly, steady it, and give it time to overcome its fear. When your horse is frightened and tries to run, turn him in a circle and tighten the circle until he stops.
Learn how to fall off and do an emergency dismount under the supervision of a knowledgeable coach. Emergency dismounts and falling the right way may help you if your horse bolts, bucks, or otherwise misbehaves. However, there is no sure way to prevent accidents and injury when riding horseback.
Just like rules of the road prevent traffic chaos, arena etiquette prevents riders from getting too close or cutting each other off. When riding in a group, keep at least one horse length between horses. Should one horse kick at another, they’re unlikely to be able to make contact and won’t kick you by accident instead.
Riding Attire
Always wear the proper riding attire: sturdy hard-toed shoes or boots (no sneakers or sandals), long pants (preferably jodhpurs or breeches), leather riding gloves, and a properly fitted helmet approved for equestrian use (never substitute with a bike helmet). You can purchase used clothing to prevent the expensive new purchases until the rider has advanced in the riding experience. Many riding schools allow you to borrow correctly fitted riding helmets that meet the right safety standards. After a few lessons, you may choose to purchase your own helmet. Some larger centers may also offer back protectors/safety vests, especially for children, but yet again once you know that this sport is for your child, a safety vest is well worth buying.
Riding horses is an enjoyable activity, but it does involve the risk of injury. This risk can be reduced by following simple safety steps such as the ones outlined above. So, mount up and enjoy the ride!
