How to ride a horse English style

 

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Horseback riding is not only a sport or a pastime, as many people think of it, it is also a life changing activity. It is recommended that everyone try riding a horse at least once in their life, particularly if they are shy or have trust issues. Though it may be difficult to learn, riding a horse can be an extremely fun and constructive activity.

Horseback riding is not just plopping down on a horse, holding on to the saddle and saying �go;� it is a complex art that requires a great deal of patience, trust and determination. It is a sport in which you are required to remain calm and focused at all times because of the nature of the creature you are controlling. You have to remember that what you are riding is not a bike or a car, it is a live animal that can get hurt or irritated at its rider at any time. When you finally begin to horseback ride, you will first learn how to saddle a horse. You can ride a horse without a saddle but it is difficult to do and stressful to the horse�s back, so we English style riders use a saddle to ride. When putting on a saddle, you have to be sure you have a saddle blanket (a fluffy pad) under it so the horse�s skin does not get rubbed against the leather. To place the saddle in the most comfortable position for both horse and rider, rest it just below the hump on the horse�s back. Grab a girth (a long strap that keeps the saddle on) that is the appropriate length and stretch it across the horse�s stomach, fastening it securely in its straps on both sides of the saddle. Once you have the saddle on the next step is to put on the bridle. One of the scariest things for a beginning horseback rider is putting your fingers in the horse�s mouth, something that is necessary when getting the horse to take the metal bit. The issue of trust comes up; you might fear the horse will bite you or run away while you are pulling the bridle over the ears, but you will learn with practice that those things won�t happen if you are careful. Many first time riders have been caught crying while staring at their horse�s huge yellow teeth and slobbery lips, contemplating the proper way to tackle the task of putting in the bit.� The most effective and safest way to put on the bridle: grab the top of it with your right hand and hold the bit with your left hand. Then with one sweeping motion, stick your left thumb in the space in the back of the horse�s teeth, pull up with your right hand and feed the bit with your left. After the horse has taken the bit, put the top of the bridle over the horse�s ears and fasten the chinstrap and throatlatch securely.

 

By the time you finish saddling up you will be very anxious about getting on the horse. Lead the horse to an open area in a riding rink then pull down the stirrups and tighten the girth by pulling the elastic end upwards. Mounting up is a very intimidating task because the horse might start moving while you are in mid-air. To prevent this, try putting your left foot in the stirrup and swing your right leg over the saddle in one quick and sweeping motion. Don�t take it personally if the horse decides to walk away; the horse doesn�t know how hard it is to mount up for the first time and, like humans, can get impatient. You can almost see their frustration by their actions: swinging of their head and neighing. When you finally arrive on the back of the horse, sit up and gather your reigns.

It feels extremely shaky atop a horse when you are not used to it, but just relax� you won�t fall off that easily. The best thing you can do is to hold on to the horse by gripping with your inner thighs. Don�t clutch the saddle with your hands and don�t balance with your reigns. You might feel the need to use your knees to hang on, but this might annoy the horse because it feels as though you are pinching him. By this point you are probably terrified, but the best thing you can do is relax and remember that horses are meant to be ridden and most of them don�t mind a rider. Do not make any loud noises and most importantly, do not scream because horses are scared very easily. Keep in mind that horses usually don�t act strangely unless provoked. When you are ready to start walking, squeeze gently with your calves and ease up when the horse begins to walk.

While you are on the horse think happy thoughts! Horses are magical creatures, they know when you are nervous and that can be contagious! Don�t get frustrated or you will have a hard time getting the horse to move around the rink. Be patient and trust the horse�s abilities; the horse knows when someone trusts them and finds comfort in it.

Another aspect of trust relies with the trot. If you squeeze with your calves or tap the horse�s belly with your feet he will go off into a trot, described as a slow methodical jog. The horse will not run away with you at the trot, so you needn�t hold on for dear life. This speed tends to be a little bit bumpy so to prevent being bumped off you must post, an action that involves lifting your body out of the saddle every time the horse�s outside shoulder rises. Though you will be extremely hesitant to leave the saddle it is much easier to stay on the horse when you are in rhythm with it. Posting will shake you up at the beginning but be patient and remember that the horse does not like when you bump against his back.

While posting you must remember a few tips to make the ride safer and more comfortable. Your heels should be pushing downwards to maintain balance with the horse and only the front of your feet should occupy the stirrups. Also, your arms should be lined up in ninety-degree angles with each other and you shouldn�t be pulling on the reigns excessively, just using them as guides to steer the horse. Don�t feel as though you need reigns to stay on the horse, all you need for that is a center of balance.

After you get tired of trotting or of riding in general, ease the grip with your legs, relax your body and pull gently with the reigns. The horse should slow to a stop and when this happens, gather your reigns in one hand. Though it might seem scary, take your feet out of the stirrups and again in one full motion slide your right leg over the horse and push off. If you�re afraid you are about to fall down on the ground, don�t worry; you will land softly on your feet. Flip the reigns over the horse�s head and lead the horse out of the rink. At this point you will be extremely discouraged, but congratulate yourself and don�t give up! Keep on riding and you will become a better, more confident person.

Riding will teach you a lot of things, but it will mainly teach you confidence and trust. If you keep on riding you will gain confidence in yourself and learn that you are capable of doing whatever you want to do. Trusting people and new experiences will become much easier, all because of your relationship with horses. You will also have something you are passionate about, an activity and sport in which emotion is a necessity.