Horseback Riding Lessons

The activity of riding horses, which is also known as equestrianism, includes using them for recreational purposes as well as for work. Horses are also used in competitive sports which include endurance riding, dressage, reining, eventing, tent pegging, polo, vaulting, horse racing, rodeo, show jumping, etc. To have better control over the horses, it is necessary to keep some basic things in mind. The following paragraphs explain about the care that needs to be taken in riding the horses properly. Read more on horse training tips.

Horseback Riding Lessons
The basic instructions regarding horse riding and the tips to be followed are mentioned in the following paragraphs.

How to Get on the Horse?
The left leg is used to get on the horse by placing it in the stirrup. The right leg is used to apply force and push forward while the saddle horn proves to be useful in hanging on to the seating position. Keeping the balance while getting on is important and the act should be done swiftly, in quick time.

Controlling the Horse
Handling the reins properly is extremely important. The reins need to be held in the left hand and one shouldn't lose their control throughout the ride. Pulling the reins back means that you command the horse to stop. In order to turn the horse left, the reins need to be pulled to the left side while for turning right, the reins need to be pulled to the right side.

Horseback Riding Lessons for Kids
In order to develop a child's interest in horseback riding, one has to make sure that the first experience or lesson is safe. The child should be minimum 7 years of age before he attends horseback riding lessons. To provide the kids with protection (helmets) is the first thing to consider. To make the child comfortable and allowing him/her to spend time with the horse, feeding it is more important than the actual training sessions at this age. In this manner, the child develops confidence and is better prepared.

The stirrups should be mounted in a higher position for the convenience of children. The children should also be advised to stay calm, as the nuzzling of horse may unsettle them. Children or beginners are so very engrossed in maintaining their balance on the horse that they must not be bothered with complex instructions. The training for kids is thus, much more difficult than adult horseback riding lessons.

Different Styles of Riding
The English and the Western are the 2 important styles of riding. In English horseback riding lessons, the feet positions and back arch angles are given much importance. There should be a curve maintained in the back, the chest needs to be arched properly, while the butt should stick out. An angle of 90º need to be maintained at the elbows while riding on a flat surface, while the angle should collapse during jumps. A 120º angle at knees should be maintained throughout the ride. The heel should be positioned as low as possible while keeping the toes in an elevated position. The chin should be held straight ahead and the rider should look around using the peripheral vision as he approaches a jump. Before a jump, i.e. on a flat, the hips should be open while during the jump, the stomach muscles need to be tightened.

In the Western horseback riding lessons, the emphasis is more on the pace and in letting the horses to follow their natural instincts to a certain degree. Neck rein is also a specialty of the Western style of horse riding. In the neck rein, the direction is changed by applying light pressure on the horse's neck.

Horses need to be handled with care and one should be kind to them by not using the reins harshly. The horseback riding lessons mentioned above would help you to learn the basics and enjoy horse racing, or just simple horse riding.