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Hey :P I haven't been around horses for maybe four years now. I've never put any real effort into learning about horses because I've had so many other things to focus on first. Anyways, I'm thinking about taking horse riding lessons for basically the first time. Very happy to say I've yet to fall off a horse ✨ Small not-really accomplishment but I'm taking it. I'd be very beginner into it. It's not like I haven't had any experience with horses, but not enough to ever think I should be at all confident in my abilities xD Anyways, I figure there's actual horse people on this site so.. why not ask for advice? Whatever you're willing to give me, really. I'll take any help I can get or even simple suggestions, etc. I got hit with a dizzy spell so I'm not entirely sure if this made sense, but I hope it did ^^" |
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I think the most important pieces of advice I can give you is: -Find a barn you feel comfortable at. Look at how the horses are kept, how the lessons go and what the atmosphere is. -Take it slow. Learning to ride is a journey and not something you accomplish in an afternoon. Give yourself the time to build a solid foundation in your skills. -Invest in a good helmet and maybe a bodyprotector. If you find you like riding and want to continue you can spend more money on breeches, gloves and boots, but that isn't necessary for the first while -Most importantly: enjoy. Riding is fun. Build a bond with a horse. With every ride, live in the moment and have fun. Is there anything else you want to know? |
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Trivia Team
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Hi! Riding instructor here. The best advice I can give is- to always seek out advice. Read. Watch videos, follow riders on social media, find blogs, and just immerse yourself in it. Ask questions. Work out outside of the saddle, because the more balanced and fit a rider is, the faster they will progress. And be a good student! If your trainer says to do something, don't do it a little bit. Do it a lot. Do something dramatically different- because what they want is to see something different. There is nothing more frustrating than watching a rider's position not change for an entire lap while you're telling them to do the same thing ten times in a row. Progress is going to feel uncomfortable. It's okay to be comfortable- that's where confidence is built, that's where feel develops, and that's where muscle builds. But being pushed a little is a good thing too. Changing your position might feel weird, but trust the process. Once you adjust, it'll be so much better. And most of all, enjoy! The better the rider you are, the more fun you're going to have. So love the process and look forward to where you're going to be, if you're already enjoying yourself now. Happy riding! |
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- When you look for a barn, avoid the ones with horses that only get groomed on lesson days.
- Have fun and put a wide smile on your face.
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I agree with what other folks have said. It's a journey, and it's helpful to find a facility that provides a safe learning space and can also challenge you to help you grow. -Depending on how you like to learn, reading about riding can be helpful, both just for information and also for different ways of visualizing/approaching riding and common riding problems. For instance, I've read the United States Pony Club manuals for info, and I tend to be a bit stiff so lately I found some ideas in Sally Swift's Centered Riding to be helpful. It took time and it felt weird to adjust my form, as FirstLightFarm mentions with making progress, but I noticed improvements and it was satisfying. -As is often said, everyone falls at some point (I have many times) and it can be helpful to get back on the horse when safe to do so, so you don't start to feel too worried about riding. I've heard some people learn/practice how to fall more safely (not sure how common that is). -There's so many different things you can get up to, even on a small scale. One instructor I had was good at having us try lots of different little exercises (with riding form or with the horse). Plus there's a lot you can do on the ground with horses. I personally don't compete, I mostly enjoy learning how to communicate with the horse better and little dressage things, and try to keep my silly lease horse entertained, lol. But I find it very fulfilling. I hope you have fun on your riding journey! It is what you make of it. |
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Hmm... I've not ridden much, but heres something. - Avoid ponies, or small horses such as halflingers because they usually are stubborn and want their own way. (Im not saying always.)
- An older horse would be a better horse for a beginner because they have calmer tempers usually.
- Mares, more often than not, have better tempers than stallions.
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Ahhh I keep reading these and forgetting to reply 😭 Thank you everyone! <3 |
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Moderator
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Unclouded Day said:
Hmm... I've not ridden much, but heres something. - Avoid ponies, or small horses such as halflingers because they usually are stubborn and want their own way. (Im not saying always.)
- An older horse would be a better horse for a beginner because they have calmer tempers usually.
- Mares, more often than not, have better tempers than stallions.
No trainer worth your time is going to put a beginner on a stallion. |
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Showers Off and On
