Preparing for your first horseback riding lesson can be an exciting and daunting experience. It's important to be well-prepared to ensure a safe and enjoyable ride. Here are five essential steps to prepare for your first horseback riding lesson:
1. Dress appropriately: Make sure you dress appropriately and have necessary equipment for your first lesson. Here is a list of typical equipment for lessons.
-
Full-Length Pants:
- Jeans, breeches, or riding tights.
- Pants are required in all weather to protect students from saddle sores, rubs, and scratches in the case of lessons on the trail.
-
Appropriate Footwear
- Closed-toed shoes are required to protect students’ feet from their horses. Horses cannot see their feet and can potentially and mistakenly step on a student’s foot. (we have a very limited selection of boots to borrow, please call us to inquire if it is needed)
- Boots with a smooth sole and defined heel not more than 2 inches high will protect a student’s foot from going all the way through the stirrup
- Under no circumstances will students wearing sneakers or sandals be allowed to participate in ANY equine activities
- Riding Helmet
-
Appropriate for the weather/season
- Gloves, ear warmers, cooling towel, etc.
-
Warm Weather
- Tank tops and other warm-weather garments are accepted with the use of appropriate sunscreen
-
Cold Weather
- Students are encouraged to wear gloves in cold weather (thick gloves are not permitted as they limit the dexterity of the fingers)
- Snow pants and windbreakers are not permitted as they are too slippery
- Layered pants are more than acceptable
- Warm socks!
2. Learn basic horse terminology and behavior: Spend some time learning about horse behavior and how they communicate. Knowing how to read a horse's body language can help you understand their mood and anticipate any potential dangers, as well as allow you to better communicate any questions or concerns you may have to you coach.
Here are some of the most basic words to get you started (How to Prepare for Horseback Riding Lessons, Equine Helper)
- Equine: The word equine is the scientific term used for the horse species.
- Tack: Tack is the word that refers to all of the equipment used for riding horses. Some pieces of tack would include a bridle, saddle, saddle pad, and girth (cinch).
- Hand: A horse's height isn't labeled by inches and feet like we’re used to. Rather, it’s measured in hands. 1 hand is 4 inches long.
- Forehand: The word forehand refers to the front half of the horse and how it carries itself on its front legs.
- Haunches: The word haunches refers to the back half of the horse and how it carries itself on its back legs.
- Withers: The withers is the ridge that is between a horse’s shoulders. It is typically the tallest point of the horse and is the point where a horse’s height is measured from.
3. Begin Exercising in Advance: It's a good idea to prepare yourself physically beforehand. Riding requires a lot of engagement from your legs, core, and lower back, so strengthening exercises for these areas would be beneficial. Cardiovascular exercises can also be helpful to supplement your workouts. It's common to experience soreness after spending some time in the saddle, but incorporating a basic stretching routine at the end of your workouts can help alleviate some of the discomfort.
4. Have open communication with your instructor before, after, and during the lesson: Your instructor will provide you with crucial safety and riding tips during your lesson. It's important to pay close attention and make sure to ask questions if you're unsure about anything. Safety should always be your top priority when horseback riding.
To ensure a smooth experience, keep an open line of communication with your instructor or stable before your first lesson. This will help you learn about any specific requirements or guidelines you need to follow. If you have any concerns or questions, don't hesitate to express them. Chances are, other riders have had the same concerns before.
5. Relax and remember to have fun: Remember to enjoy yourself and stay relaxed during your lessons. Working with horses is a privilege, as they are amazing creatures. If you start feeling overwhelmed, take a moment to remember why you wanted to ride in the first place.
By following these essential steps, you'll be well-prepared and confident for your first horseback riding lesson. Enjoy the ride!
Resources:
