| So many people love to learn horse riding; it's not | | | | Just as people who want to learn horse riding start out |
| surprising there are so many riding schools popping up | | | | with very little knowledge of how to proceed, horses |
| all over the place. It seems wherever you drive these | | | | themselves also need to be taught how to accept the |
| days in the countryside you will see people out riding | | | | presence and weight of people riding them. To get |
| horses. Often they are experienced riders out | | | | them used to the additional weight and presence of |
| exercising their horses and enjoying the experience. | | | | somebody on their back, horses are trained by placing |
| Just as often however, one can see youngsters under | | | | weighted bags on their backs. Once the animal has |
| instruction from a riding school. Singly, in pairs, or in a | | | | become used to this, the other necessary riding |
| longer string, paying obvious care and attention to their | | | | paraphernalia is gradually added. These are the saddle, |
| riding techniques, and also the requisite etiquette and | | | | halter, reins, etc. Finally, the horse has to be broken and |
| safety factors, they form an endearing impression of | | | | trained into accepting live human beings actually riding |
| country life. | | | | on their backs. |
| Whether raw beginner or improver, it is always a great | | | | When looking for a good place to learn horse riding it is |
| advantage to have a mentor who can guide up and | | | | mostly a matter of common sense and a little |
| coming riders in the safe and proper way to handle | | | | research. Often it is the case that people attend any |
| horses. A mentor is somebody who can be referred | | | | particular riding school following the advice from a |
| to at any time over such matters as riding techniques, | | | | friend, or relative. Otherwise a quick check of yellow |
| care of horses, tack, riding development, and just to | | | | pages will throw up a list of potential schools. It is |
| give encouragement and develop the passion. A riding | | | | important to visit a few of those selected to see for |
| instructor will teach all the basic skills etc., but a mentor | | | | one's self how they operate. A lot can be learned |
| becomes a long term partner in the whole equestrian | | | | from a 30 minute personal visit. First impressions are |
| adventure, often for life. | | | | always important in the decision making process, and a |
| There is no doubt that prior to start learning horse | | | | clean, tidy, professional looking stables and teaching |
| riding much time can be saved by reading up on the | | | | area will go a long way in persuading potential pupils. |
| basics of horse behaviour, technique, equipment, | | | | The attitude of the staff, how busy the place is, the |
| maintenance, and all the many pleasant activities | | | | fees, the encouragement received, will all contribute to |
| available to horse riders. There are many books | | | | the final decision. |
| available that fill these needs very well. DVDs are also | | | | To learn horse riding is a lifelong pleasure. It is only |
| a very useful teaching aid. There are many things that | | | | sensible to get the proper training to gain the maximum |
| can be demonstrated clearly and precisely on screen | | | | enjoyment from the whole equestrian experience. It all |
| that are difficult, or very long winded by the written | | | | starts by reading up on everything found about horses |
| word. There are an ever increasing number of DVD | | | | and how to learn horse riding. The next important thing |
| courses reaching the market these days. However, | | | | is to find a friendly mentor who will guide and coach |
| besides formal riding instruction there is a whole world | | | | for the whole experience. Then it's time to start the |
| of informal guidance and pleasure to be had on screen | | | | best part of all, the actual horse riding experience. Be |
| via movies, news clips, sports events, etc. So much | | | | warned; for most people it becomes a wonderful life |
| can be learned from observing horses generally, and | | | | long adventure. |
| watching others riding them. | | | | |