How To Properly Ride A Horse?

Horse riding is one the best adventurous sport for people who love animal and who like the rush of adrenaline.

If you have had a ride on a horse back you what it means to be on this robust equine creature who’s 10X stronger than you, and in many ways intelligent as well. There’s that rush of anticipation, fear, followed by sheer exuberance coming out of the thrill of high speed and rawness of the entire ride. Despite all that great roller coaster of emotions a horse ride can offer, many people get stuck on the part of fear, never going beyond that, never realising what fun they are missing by not getting out of the comfort zone of their minds.

More often than not, the reason behind this fear is the lack of preparation. It is self-evident as well, if you’re not prepared for the sport, the sheer knowledge of the girth and strength of the powerful creature beneath you is going to keep you in the grip of terror for the longest time.

So what’s the way to enjoy the best out of your rides on horse backs? The way is to do it properly and using the best practices as mentioned below-

1. Wear the right gear

As obvious as it may appear, many people underestimate the effect of the right outfit while riding a horse, especially the ones who have comparatively less experience of the sport. From apparel to shoes, everything plays an important role in creating a healthy horseback riding experience. For example, you cannot hope to even mount a horse properly while wearing a skirt, let alone ride it. Similarly wearing a pair of loose sandals isn’t ideal either while riding a horse. The best way to decide for your outfit is to know that horseback riding is a sport and you should respect it like one. You wouldn’t go to play squash wearing high heels, now, would you?

Best Practices: Find and wear any close-toed shoes that are comfortable for long-hour wearing. Ideally you should wear cowboy boots or any shoe that have minor heels so that you can use it like a hook to prevent your feet from slipping down the stirrup. Wear fitting trousers and any outfit that doesn’t have seams or loose threads and tassels that can entangle with the saddle or the reins. And to be safe, always wear a helmet; better precaution than cure!

2. Create connection

When you ride a horse, acknowledge that it’s an animal and not some vehicle. If you have ever had a pet, you must know that despite the debate on whether or not animals have emotions, there is some part of them with which you can connect. Some part that make them mentally connected with them. For many people this connection has more profound understanding, but just the acceptance of the fact there is something that makes animals not so much different than us should convey the importance of creating a living connection with the horse while riding it. This connection would be very important when you try to understand the roots of the problem if something goes wrong.

Best Practices: Do notpush your mount beyond limits. That is know it has certain limitations and have genuine respect for that. Pay attention if the horse is having any kind of trouble owing the riding gear. Also make sure that it is in a healthy state both physically and mentally. Once that’s ensured, extend your arm and give him/her a ‘horseman’s handshake’, know more about it from your instructor.

3. Ride like a Pro

If you’re a nervous rides, believe it or not your horse can pick that up and may start behaving in a non-desirous manner. To understand it better, consider yourself and the horse a team. And since you’re the one riding it, the relationship between you and the horse, for that ride at least, is that of a leader and a follower. Now, you know what it would feel like to follow someone who is not sure of anything. That’s what happens when the horse senses you being afraid. It’s in that position where he cannot lead neither can trust the leadership of you. So when you ride a horse, ride it like a pro, and the best way of achieving that state is not blind confidence. It is great knowledge of your art and due diligence of your actions.

Best Practices: Start your ride by first spending some non-riding moments with your horse. Pat it where it likes, allow it inspect you as well. Get both yourself and the horse into the place of calm harmony. Then mount the horse as smoothly as possible, and then sit upright. Maintain a relaxing posture, and hold the reins gently. Now steady your feet in the stirrups and balance yourself appropriately. Be there in each task you do, almost meditatively, so as to ensure better focus without all the anxiety.

As they say there are many ways of doing things wrong, but fewer of doing it right. And when it comes to horseback riding nothing would benefit you as much as a clear head and greater attention. Actually there’s another factor that can help as much- a great place to ride horse. A place with nice terrain and soothing surroundings is bound to have a greater effect on both you and horse. One such place in Australia where you can find all the elements that go into the making of a nice horse riding environment is Chum Creeks. In fact, the place has got the title for being one of the best locations for Horse Trail Rides in Melbourne. The terrain, other horses, people, and the whole aura of the place appears to have been deliberately designed for enjoying the best Horse Trail Rides in the Yarra Valley, which itself is famous for its serene environment. So when you have a perfect and conducive environment that allow you to harness your nerves as well as the nerves and reins of your horse, only the technicalities of riding a horseback remains, and that you can easily achieve by simply following the guidance of your instructor and then by practicing it as and when possible.