| Learning to ride a horse isn't easy. There are so many | | | | to, and you will be using muscles which you may not |
| things that you need to remember and they aren't | | | | be used to using! Thinking "lift, sit, lift, sit" in time to the |
| always related to the horse. Always ensure that you | | | | rhythm will help you with this. Try not to sit too heavily |
| have the correct clothing and a helmet that fits | | | | as you may unsteady the horse. When you wish to |
| properly before you start. Then you are ready to | | | | slow down, sit deep in the saddle and pull back slightly |
| continue with the rest. | | | | on the reins. Again practice this until you are |
| How to correctly mount a horse | | | | comfortable with the movements. When you are |
| When the bridle and saddle have been correctly fitted | | | | happy, trying turning and stopping from a trot. |
| and double-checked, stand to the left of the horse. | | | | Cantering is the next step - the third gait. This is often |
| Place your left foot in the stirrup, and grasp the withers | | | | only managed after weeks of trotting. To ask for |
| (mane), not the saddle as this will cause it to slide. Then | | | | canter, squeeze your outside leg while having it back a |
| keeping both of your hands on the front of the horse | | | | bit and then squeeze with your inside leg. It's |
| or on the cantle (back) of the saddle, push up and | | | | sometimes best to sit trot and then ask, so you are |
| swing your right leg over the back of the horse, being | | | | sitting ready for the canter. This means that you should |
| careful not to kick the horse, so that you seat yourself | | | | sitting back slightly; when you feel you're sitting back, |
| comfortably in the saddle. When comfortable, | | | | you're about right. Whilst in a canter, you should be |
| reassess your grip on the reigns and hang both your | | | | rocking forward backward, with your bottom slightly |
| legs down near the stirrups. Make sure they are at the | | | | off the saddle. Again, keep on practicing this as this will |
| correct length by having the stirrup reach your ankle. | | | | take longer to grasp. Ensure you are wary of your |
| Then you should be able to just slide your feet into the | | | | posture and heels as you practice; back on your heels |
| stirrup whilst your foot is raised a few inches. | | | | and rocked forward but straight with your body. |
| Remember that it important that you are balanced to | | | | After mastering the canter, you can move on to a |
| the horse, not them to you. | | | | gallop - this is the fastest gait. Again squeeze your |
| Now you are sitting comfortably... Keep your upper | | | | calves as you have before, but you must be in a |
| back straight and lower back relaxed. Sit tall in the | | | | canter. As with the canter you should be sitting slightly |
| saddle. Always look ahead so that you can see for | | | | forward in the saddle, with bottom off the saddle. It is |
| anything that might spook your horse. Take one rein in | | | | always advisable to ensure that you are fully confident |
| each hand; left rein in the left hand, right rein in the right | | | | and well-practiced with each gait before you move on |
| hand. Tuck the reins under all four fingers, with the | | | | to the faster gait. |
| reins going in under the little fingers. Always hold the | | | | When dismounting your horse, swing your right leg |
| reins in place with your thumbs against your | | | | over to the back of the horse. Stay balanced with a |
| forefingers with your thumbs up, palms down and | | | | good grip on the saddle so you don't slip. Then lower |
| each hand as wide apart as the neck of the horse | | | | yourself down from the left side, you should try to put |
| with them just in front of the saddle and above of the | | | | both your legs down at the same time, keeping your |
| horse. To let more rein in, slide it through by lifting your | | | | knees slightly bent to absorb the weight. |
| thumbs. Shorten them by using the opposite hand to | | | | Other helpful horse hints |
| take up extra length. | | | | Get to know your horse. Always ensure that you |
| Starting to ride your horse | | | | approach him carefully from the front or side; touching |
| To start the horse off with a slow walk - the first gait | | | | him and talking to him, thus avoiding spooking him and |
| - squeeze your lower legs. After a few minutes stop | | | | being hurt by a kick. Then move towards his shoulder, |
| and check the girth. If you can feel more than one | | | | so he knows you're coming closer. |
| hand under and between the girth and the horse, then | | | | If you are new to a horse, or riding, always make sure |
| you must tighten it. Carry on walking, keeping your | | | | that you have had proper rider training before you |
| heels down, back straight and chin up. You should be | | | | attempt anything on your own. Try to avoid riding |
| able to draw a straight line from the heel to the | | | | alone; never ride alone if you are a beginner. |
| shoulders. Pull slightly on the reigns so as to turn the | | | | Even though it will be a shock and could very possibly |
| horses head enabling you to turn. When you need to | | | | hurt when you fall off, try to get straight back on. |
| stop, simply pull back on the reins and sit deep into the | | | | Never kneel or sit by a horse; if you are tending to |
| saddle; sometimes you may need to lean back, then | | | | them, always make sure that you are positioned so |
| relax the reigns and praise your horse. Always release | | | | that you can jump aside quickly if need be. |
| the reins when you stop as this will praise and reward | | | | Make sure that you are comfortable on the horse that |
| your horse; also they might pull if you don't. Horses can | | | | you are riding; they will be nervous too if they sense |
| jerk short reins out of your hands, so try to make | | | | that you are uneasy. |
| them long. Practice these basic moves until you and | | | | Never yank the bit, as this will hurt the horse and |
| the horse are comfortable with it all. | | | | distress him. If you handle it carefully, he will be more |
| When you are both ready, try trotting - the second | | | | relaxed and easier to ride. |
| gait. Again, squeeze the horse with your legs and the | | | | For more tips and advice on caring for horses, horse |
| horse will start to move faster. With a trot, you need | | | | riding and a brand new equine blog, visit the AFI Horse |
| to learn how to rise and sit with the trot of the horse. | | | | Community website just launched by AFI Horse |
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