Horseback Riding Tips for Beginners

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Learning to become an expert horseback rider takes time and patience. The first time you ride, you may feel a little nervous. Nerves are normal, but if you follow these horseback riding tips for beginners, you’ll look like an expert in the saddle.

Get the Right Equipment

Gearing up with the essential equipment makes you look and feel like an experienced rider, and it’ll also protect you. Before your first ride, you should consider getting a helmet, riding boots, and a safety vest to protect against injury from falls.

Build Trust First

One of the most important aspects of becoming a horseback rider is building a relationship with your horse. The more you and your horse trust one another, the better the riding experience. Be sure to greet your horse before riding by extending your hand for them to smell it. Offer positive affirmations and reinforcement during rides to let your horse know you value them. 

Be Confident

Learning any new skill can be intimidating, especially when it involves a large animal like a horse. Horses can sense our emotions. If you seem hesitant and nervous, your horse may become anxious as well. Be confident, especially while mounting, to show the horse they can feel confident too.

Proper Posture

On TV, we often see experienced riders riding bent over, low to the horse’s back. As a beginner, it’s best to stay in an upright position. As you learn to ride, one of your main focuses will be balancing. Keeping your balance will be much easier in an upright position.

Always Look Ahead

Similarly, looking straight ahead will help you maintain your balance. It can be easy to get distracted by scenery or even your horse while you ride, but this is dangerous. Always remember to keep your eyes ahead when you’re going for a ride.  

No horseback rider becomes an expert overnight. With these horseback riding tips for beginners, you can ensure a safe start to your journey toward becoming an expert rider.

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