Horses: A Guide to Your First Ride

Riding a horse for the first time can be an intimidating, even scary idea for the novice beginner. However, your first time on a horse should be a pleasurable and rewarding experience.

Your first ride should be confined to a corral or riding pen with an experienced instructor teaching you. Find a local barn or stable that provides the instruction you'll need. Ask for help deciding whether you want to ride Western or English style.

Western style riding is a little less rigid than English riding. Trail riding and pleasure riding make up a great deal of what is Western style, but there are sports as well, such as team penning and team sorting. If you are not sure what type of riding you are going to be doing, the easiest choice is to go Western pleasure for your first ride. Since it is more relaxed, it will help you learn how to ride the horse and guide the horse with basic commandments without being uncomfortable or too difficult.

When you arrive at your very first lesson, take a lot around the barn, and try to familiarize yourself with the "horsey," environment. The more comfortable and relaxed you are, the better your horse and your experience will be. When you approach the horse you will be riding, let him or her get a good whiff of your scent. Smell is an important tool horses use in order to learn about their environment. Stick your palm flat out (make sure your thumb is not sticking out-it very well may look like a carrot to your equine friend!) Once your horse has become acquainted with you, give him or her a few pets on the neck, and prepare to mount.

One of the things that must be checked before you mount the horse is the girth. The saddle is held in place by a strap the goes under the horse's belly. It should be tight enough to hold the saddle in place. It should be tight enough to barely fit two fingers under it at the center of the belly. Ask your instructor to show you how to check the girth and then tighten or loosen accordingly. Once the girth is in good order, it is time to mount up.

Use a mounting block to mount the horse this first time. Always mount from the left side. This way it is easy to place your left foot in the left stirrup and swing your right leg over your mount. Then put your right foot into the other stirrup and hold onto the reins with a tight grip in case the instructor is not holding the horse in place. The instructor should help you make sure the stirrups are the correct length (not to short or long) for your legs.

A correct seat is crucial to the ease of your ride. You should sit up very straight in the saddle, but relax your legs, moving your bum with the movement of the horse. The length of the stirrups should be short enough for you to support yourself standing but long enough that your knees aren't bent up. It is important to keep your heels pointed down.

This should be fun and not in the least uncomfortable. Become one with the horse. Relax and enjoy the ride.