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Millions of people enjoy the hobby of horseback riding every year. You too can learn the basics of horseback riding by following these basic steps:
The first step is to remember that safety comes first. You should have an experienced rider with you at all times. You should also wear a helmet and proper riding boots to help protect you.
You will need to learn how to saddle your horse, so have the rider help you put the pad, saddle, bridle, etc., on the horse properly. Before you mount, or get on your horse, it is a good idea to check the equipment again. Also, check the stirrups to make sure they fit you properly. To do this, simply place your arm on the saddle. Grab the stirrup and put it under your arm. The stirrup should be the length of your arm, because, the length of your arm is also the length of your leg. Adjust the stirrups to fit you if need be.
The second step is to mount the horse. The experienced rider should hold the horse steady while you get on. Stand on the left side of the horse and hold the reins in your left hand. Now, grab the saddle horn. If you are too short to reach, you may need to stand on a box or other object that will enable you to reach. Place your left foot in the stirrup and pull yourself up. Now lower yourself into the saddle and place your right foot into the other stirrup. Make sure your weight is distributed over the center of the horse. And, use your legs to help keep your body in the saddle.
Now you will use the reins and your legs to communicate effectively with the horse. Use the reins to move in the direction that you want to go. That is, pull them to the left to tell the horse to go left, and so on. You will also use the reins to stop your horse. To do this, simply pull the reins back. And, use your legs to gently kick your horse to make him go. At this point, you will only want your horse to walk. Before and during the entire time you ride, keep in mind that you will want to watch out for low hanging tree branches as well as for other objects that can knock you off your horse.
Being a beginner, you should not try to see how fast your horse will go. Riding a horse is like learning to ride a bicycle in that you should start out practicing how to keep your balance, how to steer, how to start, and how to stop. You should practice on how to steer your horse to the left and to the right. You should also practice starting and stopping.
After you get used to the basics of horse riding, and you have ridden for awhile, you can then concentrate on riding your horse at a faster speed. The next faster speed is the trot. Then, it is the canter, and, finally, the fastest speed at which a horse runs is called the gallop.
After your riding session is done, you will dismount from your horse by reversing the steps you took to get on. Hold the saddle horn and remove your foot from the right stirrup. Stand up and swing yourself up and off of the saddle and finally to the ground.
You have now completed the basic course of horse riding! And as you ride more, you will become more and more experienced as a rider!
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