Here's where we provide you with suggestions to help you achieve your horse back riding goals - whatever they may be.  We provide information about how to horse back ride we hope you will find useful. We do our best to help you find out where to go and what to do in order to make your horse back riding dreams come true.

Remember though, that how to horse ride is not just about the ride, itself.  It's well-rounded knowledge that comes from reading, learning, hands-on, experience, and asking a lot of questions.  All these things are part of what makes one a horseman.

We know horses leave hoof-prints on your heart, cause there on our hearts too.  Believe in your dreams and they will come true. Good luck in all your horsemanship endeavors.

Spending time on a horse, whether you are horse back riding in your backyard, an arena or out on a trail is a wonderful thing.  It's a special connection.  It's a partnership between horse and rider.

If you have never ridden a horse and would like to learn, horse back riding lessons are something you should consider. 

is to ask around.  Check local listings.  You'll want to find an instructor you feel comfortable with, and one you feel confident in.  If you don't have access to an instructor - I rarely did growing up - find someone who rides who can teach you what they know.  Everyone who rides is a possible source of riding tips to help you learn.

or if you begin riding again after having not ridden in a while, you will notice how much you actually use your stomach, back, and leg muscles.  If you are not fit before you begin riding, I recommend you get in shape.  Being overweight is uncomfortable for you and the horse under you.  Any type of exercise will help, but I recommend something that will concentrate on your core muscles.  Those are the muscles you use to stay centered and balanced on a horse.  Pilates is a good way to work on these core muscles needed for riding. 

he or she may include things such as having you ride bareback walking and posting, closing your eyes, or placing your hands straight out on each side - straight with your shoulder.  These techniques help you to learn to feel the horse's movements underneath you.  They help you to become better balanced and will strengthen your muscles.  When you sit correctly on a horse you will notice that your leg, thigh, stomach and back muscles really have to become trained in holding these positions. 

but one day you'll find that you feel natural in the correct position. 
It will feel correct and you will become more a part of the horse.  You'll no longer be using the horn or the reins - a green rider's common error - for balance.  It's a wonderful sensation when you reach that level of riding skill.

to learning how to ride balanced I also suggest you watch other riders ride, as well as reading up on riding, as much as you can.  You can never learn too much.  There exists so many riding disciplines, so many techniques and ideas about horsemanship - be sure to take advantage of what's out there.  As you learn to ride better you will want to polish your skills.  The best way to do that is having the viewpoint that you can always improve.  You can always learn something new.

As a word of caution, please wear a ASTM/SEI certified equine riding helmet.  ASTM stands for, "American Society for Testing and Materials" and SEI stands for "Safety Equipment Institute."  The former is an organization that writes safety standards for all kinds of things, helmets being one of them.  The latter ensures manufacturers comply with the standards set by the ASTM. 

But I do.  I'd much rather let my hair flow under a comfortable cowboy hat.  However, while the hat may look good, my head is not protected.  Let's face facts.  When you ride you sometimes come off.  The best, most experienced riders will tell you that.  They come off their horses.  It's the nature of the sport. 

Even the most bomb-proof horse can slip, get stung by a bee, or just plain have a bad day.  Be smart about it and put your pride away for the sake of protecting yourself from serious injury.

1. Get yourself a riding instructor

2. Get yourself is shape with a program that strengthens core muscles used for riding.

3. Regularly take riding lessons and ride as much as you can.

4. Watch other riders ride.

5. Study up on horse back riding.

6. Keep riding and learning.

7. Have fun!

I’m looking forward to my next ride and hope you’ll be riding soon too.

"My treasures do not sparkle or glitter, they shine in the sun and neigh in the night."
– Gladdagh Gypsies of Galway


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