| Basic Horseback Riding Tips |
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Horseback
riding is very fun and relaxing, but if it is not done
correctly, it can be very dangerous not only to yourself,
but also to your horse. There are several things to
remember to ensure that you not only have a safe ride,
but a fun one. |
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The most important
thing to remember when riding horses is safety. You
should always wear a helmet and the proper foot wear
just in case an accident were to happen, this way your
head will be protected in case of a fall and you will
have less of a chance of getting your foot caught in
the stirrups. The next thing you should check before
ever mounting your horse is the condition of your tack.
Check you bridle and make sure that all of the parts
are in good condition and are not damaged and then check
your saddle to ensure that all of the rigging is in
good condition and make sure that the girth is tight
enough to keep the saddle from slipping during your
ride. Finally, check and make sure that the stirrups
are the proper length for your legs. This will ensure
that you will maintain a good seat while riding.
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When you are riding,
make sure that there is someone riding with you or that
there is someone close by when you are riding. Never
ride alone! Even the most experienced and broke horses
can get scared and cause you to have an accident and
you want to make sure that someone is around in case
that were to happen.
After you get on your horse there are
a few things that you should keep in mind. The most
important thing is to sit up straight and look where
you are going. If you are leaning to one side or the
other in your saddle you will cause your horse to be
off balance and you will hinder his movement. By sitting
up straight, you will allow your horse to move as freely
and naturally as possible. You also want to make sure
that you are looking where you are going. This is very
important, especially if you are riding with other people
because you do not want to ride into anyone. Also, if
you are looking where you want to go your horse will
stay straight and his body will be in the correct position
when he is traveling.
Finally, when you are riding make sure
that you use more leg pressure than hand pressure on
the bridle. You always want your horse moving forward.
If you are constantly pulling on the reins, eventually,
your horse will start to pull back and he will ignore
any cues that you give him to slow down or to stop.
When you are finished riding, make
sure that you always end on a good note and dismount
on the left side. Un-tack you horse and give him a groom
him well. You want to make sure that your horse always
has a good experience so that you and your horse will
be happy and will want to ride again.
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