Wednesday, August 26, 2015

How To Build Your Horse Riding Skills

By Nancy Gardner


As a work animal, horses have been invaluable companions for humans. They have such a wide range of uses from transportation to farming and working to recreational sports.

There are many schools that you can sign up with for lessons. Qualified staff members will teach you the basics of horse riding Okotoks. It is not just a sport for the rich. Now average members can join in on this pastime.

The one thing all riders need to focus on is safety. This is especially important when you are just learning. Helmets should always be used. Boots and jeans should be worn. If boots are not available then rubber shoes can be used. No open toe foot wear is allowed. Shorts, skirts and the like should also be avoided. You can have friction burns from the constant rubbing against the saddle.

When you are on the saddle, do not be tense. Try to sit comfortably in the middle. You can easily fall off if you are not in the correct position. Be mindful of your posture. The way we sit affects not only your comfort but the animals. Dont sit too far back or too close forward. Find a nice middle ground and move with the animal.

Be relaxed. When a person is scared or tries something new, there is a tendency that they are anxious and unknowingly hold their breath and tense up. Do not convey your nervousness. They are intuitive animals and can sense your tension and emotions. Breathe evenly. Holding your breath can give you a back ache and muscle tension aches. Relax your legs also. Dont grip the horse too tightly because that will cause muscle aches at the end of your session and the horse may misinterpret that as a sign to keep moving or move faster.

When you approach your stallion do so confidently. Let him smell you so he can get to know you. Be gentle when dealing with him and let him gain your trust. Like other animals they need to trust you so you can work well together.

Learn the right tension to place on the reins. Too much will cause discomfort. Too little grip and you dont have control. It is hard to guide if you are not in control. Adjust your tension depending on the horses movements. You have to work together to have a smooth ride.

Choose from the reputable schools within your city or as close to you as possible. Start off with the basic lessons and progress to the more advanced stuff. The facilities should be clean and comfortable and also good for the animals. Find a teacher that can work well with you and give you the right amount of guidance to learn new skills.

Learning equestrian skills takes time. You cant expect to be good at something when you are still a beginner. Start off slowly and as you gain confidence, you will be more ready to learn harder skills. Learn how to approach and handle the stallion while on the ground then work your way up to sitting then finally you can walk and eventually learn to canter and gallop.




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