A beginner’s guide to horseback riding

Are you going horseback riding for the first time? To ensure you have a fun and safe experience, it’s recommended that you take a riding lesson. However, it doesn’t hurt to know the basics beforehand. Here’s what you should know.

Gearing up
Riders need sturdy shoes or boots with a slight heel, pants and a riding helmet. The horse should be outfitted with the proper saddle, bit, bridle and reins.

Getting on
Always approach the horse from the front, never from behind. Use a mounting block to make it easier to climb onto the horse or get someone to help you. Get in the saddle by taking the reins in one hand, fitting your foot into the stirrup, gripping the pommel of the saddle and finally swinging yourself up onto the horse.

Sitting in the saddle
Sit up tall, but don’t be stiff. Ideally, there should be a straight line from your shoulder to your hip and through to your heel. Keep your weight equal on both sides of your body.

Riding the horse
Direct the horse to move by giving it a tap or nudge with your heels, depending on how it’s trained. Stay relaxed and keep in sync with the horse’s rhythm, allowing your hips to swing with its gait.

Horses have four gaits: walk, trot, canter and gallop. For your first time, you might want to go at a walk the entire time. However, if you’re feeling comfortable, you could advance to a trot by lightly tapping the horse with your heel.

Turning, slowing down and stopping
Gently tug the left or right rein to turn in the corresponding direction. To slow or stop the horse, pull back gently on the reins.

Getting off
To dismount, take the reins in one hand, remove your feet from the stirrups, then grip the pommel and swing your leg up and over the horse before sliding down to the ground.

These are the basic things you need to know for your first day riding, but always be sure to listen to your instructor. They know their particular horses better than anyone.