Welcome to the world of horse riding!
Whether you are interested in recreational riding or riding as a sport, horse riding in general offers a great experience in the outdoor while benefitting you in terms of health, mental state, and psychology as well.
As you become more proficient in your riding skills, you get to go on trails on horseback for breathtaking scenery, pit your skills against other riders in equestrian competitions, or even consider employment in stables doing things you love. As you can see, the possibilities are endless and we hope to show you some of the aspects of horseback riding that can help you enjoy the activity to the fullest.
Learning to ride a horse is a journey that is suitable for people of all ages. Almost anyone can reap the joy and thrill of horseback riding. The cost of these riding lessons used to be prohibitive, but with more and more stables emerging and riding gaining popularity over the years, it has become affordable for most people with a genuine interest to participate in it.
Go through our overview of horse riding below to discover the benefits of riding, the two main horse riding styles that you will choose to learn, and how you can decide whether it is the right activity for you before you even start enrolling for lessons.
Feel free to browse through our other pages to gain a deeper understanding on other aspects of horse riding that you are interested in. We cover a wide range of topics including:
- Horse Riding Lessons
- Horse Riding Equipment
- Horse Riding Terms
- Horse Riding Holidays
- Horse Riding Exercises
- And MORE Topics!
Benefits of horse riding
It is a common misconception to the bystanders that a horse rider has nothing much to do while the horse does all the hard work. On the contrary, horseback riding requires expertise, fitness, and dedication much like other sports.
Physically, a rider needs to keep his posture right, and constantly adjusting his position when the horse moves. Not only the physical aspect, horse riding boosts benefits mentally and psychologically as well to the rider. Some of them are:
- Increased confidence and self-esteem
- Muscles become strengthened and toned up
- Develop a love for outdoor and nature
- More capable in dealing with risks
- Improved posture
For a closer look at the various benefits, check out our Benefits of Horse Riding page.
Horse Riding Styles
As a beginner, you need to know which of the two major horse riding disciplines are being taught to you. You can also check whether the riding school offers you the style that you want to pursue to avoid switching to another style later on.
Each style lays the foundation for the activities and competitions that you can participate in as you advance through your lessons.
The two styles are:
- English riding style
- Western riding style
Find out more about the style, their differences, and activities associated with each style on our Horse Riding Styles page.
Before You Start Enrolling
There are many riding schools that conduct introductory sessions for interested people like you to try out horse riding for free. It is also a chance for you to observe whether the instructor’s style of teaching bodes well with you or your children.
Speak with the schools to find out which style of riding is their expertise, and also the cost for the lessons. If you enjoyed the introductory lesson and convinced that horse riding is something you would want to do, then definitely consider taking up proper lessons with the right riding school.
As with all sports and activities, patience is required to learn the basic techniques and to be familiar with horse riding. It is vital not to conclude prematurely that horse riding is tough and not for you after just a few lessons. Take the time to enjoy the lessons and your first interactions with your horse. The fun will come eventually.
What next?
Continue reading to explore a range of topics being covered to get to know more about horse riding. We recommend that you learn about some of the terms and equipment being used to be better prepared when you embark on your horse riding journey. Do check out the following pages:
- Horse Riding Lessons
- Horse Riding Terms
- Horse Riding Equipment
- Horse Riding Techniques
- Horse Riding Competition
- Horse Riding Styles
- Horse Riding Exercises
- Horse Riding Jobs
- Horse Riding Holidays
- Benefits of Horse Riding
Resources:
United States Equestrian Federation – http://www.usef.org/
Wikipedia - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Equestrianism
Oklahoma State University - http://www.ansi.okstate.edu/breeds/horses/
