Top Riding Tips
Safe riding is the key to happy riding. Therefore, it is imperative
that the following precautions be taken each and every time you saddle
up.
- Always wear proper clothing:
- Riding helmet
- Riding boots
- Jeans, jodphurs or riding breeches
- Riding gloves with leather palm
- Comfortable shirt that is not loose fitting
- Optional kevlar body suit to avoid soft tissue or rib
injuries
- Follow your instructor’s advice and mount your horse according
to the lessons you were given.
- Gather the reins toward you, gently taking up the slack.
- Take one rein in each hand; left rein in the left hand, right
rein in the right hand.
- Tuck the reins under all four fingers, with the reins going in
at your pinkies and coming
- Hold the reins in place with your thumbs against your
forefingers.
- Hold your hands in the thumbs-up position, with your palms
slightly downward and thumbs turned toward each other. Hold your
hands no farther apart than the width of the horse's neck.
- Keep your wrists and fingers relaxed. Let your arms and elbows
hang naturally, but don't let them flap. Hold the reins as if you
are lightly squeezing a sponge.
- Keep your hands about an inch in front of the saddle and a few
inches above the horse.
- Lift your thumbs and let the reins slide out to add length.
Shorten the reins by using the opposing hand to take up extra
length.
- Squeeze both legs against the sides of the horse, behind the
girth with the strap under the horse that is securely fasten to the
saddle.
- Push your hips forward while squeezing your legs in toward the
horse’s body.
- Relax the pressure of your legs when the horse responds and move
your hands forward to prevent jerking on the horse's mouth.
- Relax and follow the movement of the horse as you sit tall in
the saddle.
- Keep your legs under you, not swung too far forward or back.
- Keep your feet parallel to the horse's sides.
- Don't stick your toes out.
- Keep your heels down.
- Relax your arms, wrists and fingers.
- Don't ride alone. Always have an instructor or experienced rider
nearby.
- Be aware of your surroundings. Do not ride in cluttered or noisy
areas.
- Protect yourself and your horse. Stay away from dangerous
terrain.
- Understand that your horse is a living being. Treat it with
respect and care.
When it’s time for your horse to come to a halt, saying "Whoa" simply
won’t do the job like it does on television or in the movies. Stopping a
horse properly involves a certain amount of body language along with the
correct use of the reins:
- Raise your hands slightly.
- Squeeze the reins lightly, tightening them while moving your
shoulders back and your hips forward.
- Lower your heels, stretching out your legs.
- Stop pulling on the reins as soon as the horse begins to respond
to your command.
- Remember your riding lessons and dismount according to the
instructions you received at that time.
Above all…when you go out for a ride on your favorite steed, don’t
forget to HAVE FUN! |
