Riding a horse is more than just sitting back and allowing your animal to move forward under its own power. Instead, it’s an activity that requires a great deal of mental and physical focus. The right approach to equine riding is one that not only allows you to fully enjoy the sensation of being atop a horse but also one that encourages you to practice the same positive habits on your own two feet as well. After all, horses are simply vehicles for how you choose to spend your time on the range or pasture. If you approach riding as a sport and not a chore, then it will quickly become one of your favorite activities and the ideal way to spend quality time with friends and family.
Be prepared before your ride begins.
One of the first things you can do to prepare for a good horse ride is to simply spend time with your horse. Horse riding is a relatively short-term activity, so it’s important to get to know your horse and your horse’s habits as best you can before you set out for your next ride. Some of this work can be done as you ride, but it’s important to do a few things in advance.
Start by observing your horse and its behavior. What does it like to do? What does it avoid? Observe its habits and figure out what it likes and dislikes so that you can incorporate these preferences into your relationship with it. Next, you’ll want to learn as much about the horse’s personality as possible. Talk to people who know the horse well, including the horse’s previous owners, your trainer, and other owners at the stable where you’re riding. Interview them about the horse’s personality and strengths, and learn as much as you can about the horse’s daily habits. Once you’ve done this work, you’ll be ready to embark on your horse riding adventures.
Take short rides, but ride often.
Horse riding is an activity that can be incredibly rewarding, but it can also quickly become stale if you only do it on special occasions. To keep things interesting and to avoid getting burned out on your hobby, take a few days off from riding every few weeks. This break will allow you to breathe and get a new perspective on your past rides, as well as give you time to think about what you’d like to work on as a rider. If you ride only a few times each year, you’re also more likely to have a fresh perspective on your riding and be more willing to make changes based on your experiences during the ride. This is especially important for those who take competitive event horse riding seriously, since it’s important to keep your skills up on a regular basis.
Ride bareback, but don’t be afraid to wear a saddle.
Many people jump onto the horse-riding bandwagon after they’ve seen others do it with a saddle, but this is a practice that’s worth considering before you take the plunge. Once you’ve put a saddle on your horse, you’ll be less likely to feel judged if you decide to take a detour and ride bareback. If you’re worried that you might be considered crazy or that you might face a lot of ridicule if you do this, then you can also simply ride bareback once you’ve tried riding with a saddle. If you like the way that you feel when you’re bareback, then you can consider riding bareback as a regular part of your routine.
Tie up your horse when you get off.
Most competitions and training sessions call for you to tie up your horse after you’ve dismounted, but you should also tie up your horse before you get off. If you’re taking a break from riding, then you can simply tie the horse up and bring it with you. Tie the horse up in a nearby, safe spot, and then take the time to enjoy your time off. You might like to sit outside and take a break, or you might like to take your horse with you if you’re spending the night somewhere.
Teach and practice good habits with your horse.
Horse riding is a great activity to help you connect with your horse and learn how to communicate with it. You’ll want to start out by getting to know several important details about your horse, including its temperament and its preferred riding aids, such as saddle type, girth size, and bridle type. You’ll also want to pay attention to your horse’s appearance, including its coat and its tack. If possible, you should also talk to your horse’s previous owners about your horse and its personality, including any quirks and strengths that it might have.
Ride safely, even in bad weather.
Horse riding is a fun and rewarding activity, but it’s also a potentially dangerous one. If you don’t approach it as a sport and instead as a chore, it’s easy to end up with complicated injuries related to the activity. As a result, it’s important to take precautions at all times when you’re riding. For instance, you’ll want to wear protective gear, including a helmet and elbow and knee pads, and you’ll want to take safety measures, such as making sure that you’re not making dangerous turns on the range or pasture. It’s also important to be careful in extreme weather conditions, since an unexpected storm or heat wave could make horse riding dangerous in an instant. Make sure that you’re prepared for any and all conditions before you attempt to ride during a bad weather event.
Stay connected to your horse after the ride is over.
The best way to stay connected to your horse after your ride ends is to take the time to bond with your horse after you’ve finished riding. Take it out for a walk or two, feed it the treats that you picked up when you bought it, groom it, and so on. You might also like to consider purchasing a book on the subject of horse riding, such as If Horses Could Talk by Tom Cable or The Secrets of a Good Horseman by Carl Ulrick. You might find that these books give you plenty of great ideas on how to stay connected to your horse when you’re done riding.
Wrapping up
Horse riding is an exciting and rewarding hobby that can be enjoyed by people of all ages and skill levels. The key to enjoying the activity is to approach it as a sport and to maintain physical and mental focus during your rides. If you do this, then you can reap the many benefits of horse riding, including increased strength, flexibility, and balance.
