If you want to take the step to learn how to ride a horse, we leave you with the basics to help you with your first experiences.
How to ride a horse
The first thing you must bear in mind is that riding a horse is a unique and fun activity, but it requires training to master it properly.
Given the difficulty, the best way to start learning is to go to a school or riding school. There they will have horses adapted to work with students, and that will facilitate the first lessons.
What are the fundamental basic tips for riding?
No aggression
The character and strength of some horses can force you to be firm in your movements when riding, or you need to impose yourself on certain occasions. But none of this requires suffering or violence to the animal.
Put aside your fear
Nervousness, especially the first few times we get on a horse, can become the worst enemy. If we are restless, we will make inadequate movements; or on the contrary, we will be too rigid to be able to get along with the animal as necessary.
Therefore, before going up, breathe deeply and trust your monitor and your horse.
Be aware of unexpected reactions
Keep in mind that it is a living being, and as such, it can react at any time in somewhat unexpected ways.
Therefore, we must be prepared to observe it, understand it, and react appropriately.
The importance of the horse saddle and your equipment
The horse's saddle and your equipment is fundamental for the safe practice of this sport.
Don't forget your helmet, boots and appropriate clothing. Also, remember to check that the horse's saddle is correctly positioned and fixed.
Don't be afraid of falling
It is common to have a blow when we are learning to ride a horse, but unless you are riding on a complicated terrain, or try to perform exercises of a higher level than you have, the fall is usually a simple scare.
Keep in mind, especially if you are riding on a track, the sand will cushion the blow, and the teacher will stop the class as soon as he notices that you are losing your balance.
How to ride a horse ?
And now that you know some of the indispensable notions for the experience, we show you how to start the adventure.
How to get in the chair ?
First of all, we recommend that you have maintained some time in contact with your horse moments before riding him: combing and caressing him beforehand is a way of transmitting confidence.
Once your nerves are relaxed, you can use a riding block to climb: this is a structure that allows you to reach the stirrup more easily (especially if you are a beginner, it will make the climb easier).
In this sense, once you are on the riding block (always located on the left side of the animal), place the left stirrup on the left foot. All this while holding the head with the reins, holding them with the left hand (but be careful, firmly but without adding too much tension).
Once you have obtained the correct position, and using your left foot as a support point, you must take the impulse and pass your right leg over your rump. Once you have done this, place your right foot in the right stirrup.
Remember that, especially the first few times, the horse can move as you go up. Therefore, we recommend that someone holds the head while you manage to position yourself.
Once up, how do I position myself?
The first thing you must take into account is that your body is the way to connect and guide the horse. Therefore, maintaining a good position in the seat is essential for all this to work. Do not neglect this at any time, regardless of the exercise you are doing with your horse.
In general, the body should be relaxed in the saddle; and to maintain balance, you need to draw a straight line along the ear, shoulder, hip and heel. In addition, you should feel the two ischions of the buttocks in the saddle.
In general, the body should be relaxed in the saddle; and to maintain balance, you should draw a straight line along the ear, shoulder, hip and heel. Also, you should feel the two ischia of the buttocks in the saddle.
As far as the legs are concerned, they are essential to cushion the sudden movements of your body when the horse is moving. For this reason, the joints of the knees and ankles must be relaxed in order to fulfil their function. To do this, place only the toe inside the stirrup, keeping the heel down; leave the legs inside, without turning them; and keep the knee bent on the horse's body.
In addition, the legs must be kept constantly exerting some pressure on the horse's body: not only will they keep you attached to the saddle, but they are also necessary to go out at a gallop or trot.
On the other hand, the reins are the way to contact the horse's mouth from our position. But be careful, the mouth is an extremely sensitive part and a bad use of them can bother and confuse the horse.
How to ride a horse
Like the knees, the elbows should be bent, and the reins should be held with both hands on either side of the cross. To do this, take the reins, and hold them in a fist (the right hand with the right hand; and the left hand with the left), and let the loop of the reins look up, placing the thumbs on top of the reins.
Also, keep in mind that the horse follows a certain rhythm in its gait, which must be accompanied by the movement of the pelvis in the seat, and the arms that are holding the reins.
This way, when the horse moves its body forward or backward while walking, trotting or galloping, we will accompany the movement. Only in this way will we form a bond with the horse and avoid unnecessary friction or discomfort.
And now that you know the basics, we encourage you to put into practice everything you have learned and discover the 5 best routes for riding in Spain.
Horseback riding is an activity with many psychological and physical benefits: it reduces spasticity (contracted muscles), increases balance, increases body strength, improves concentration and reduces stress.
So go ahead, leave your fears behind and enjoy these fantastic animals! We also teach you the basic equipment for riding.