Horseback Riding Basics for Equestrian Vacations

Knowing How to Ride a Horse Helps Riders Enjoy Equestrian Holidays

Sep 23, 2009

Basic horseback riding techniques, such as mounting, correct seat position, and using the reins properly, help beginning riders confidently enjoy an equestrian vacation.

Imagine riding on an equestrian vacation through the fields of France's Provence, or galloping along the Irish sea-coast.

Thrilling or terrifying? For someone who isn't an accomplished rider, the prospect of spending a few days on the back of a 1,500-pound animal may seem exciting and frightening in like measure. But even beginners can enjoy the ride, if they know a few horseback riding basics.

Start by realizing that horses trained to be ridden by tourists are usually gentle and are well-used to the daily drill. New riders who are especially worried should mention their concerns to the trip leader. Virtually every stable has a "creampuff" on hand, a horse that is especially appropriate for nervous beginners.

All that said, horses do seem to have a sixth sense for immediately understanding whether a rider is an experienced horseman or a nervous neophyte. A horse with a beginner on its back is often shameless about bending down to eat grass (pulling the hapless beginner into an ungainly forward lunge), whereas a horse carrying an experienced rider usually knows better than to even attempt this common little stunt.

Is it possible to fool a horse? Not completely: Like everything, it takes time to master the intricacies of riding. But here are some basic techniques to get started.

How to Mount a Horse

First things first: Always stand and work on the left side of a horse. This includes putting on tack, leading horses, and getting on and off.

Don't get on without the assistance or permission of the riding guide. Many riding guides do a final check of tack to ensure that the cinch is tight enough to hold the saddle in place.

The Rider's Seat

The way a rider sits (his "seat") tells the horse everything it needs to know about the rider's skill level.

Correct leg position is crucial. The ball of the foot is on the stirrup, with the heels pressing down toward the ground,. The legs are bent, with the back of the heel directly beneath the rider's hips. (The rider's shoulders, hips, and heels form a straight line to the ground). The insides of the upper legs are firm against the saddle, and the lower legs are firm against the side of the horse. There is no "air" (open space) between the knees and the sides of the horse. Toes are pointed forward, not sticking out sideways.

The position of the upper body is also important, The rider sits straight, with the weight slightly forward (toward the front of the pelvis), not slouched back like a couch potato in an easy chair. This is an active position for riding, rather than a passive position of being a passenger: The horse knows the difference.

Look in the desired direction of travel, whether straight ahead, right, or left. There is a subtle variation in the way a person's weight is distributed when the rider turns to look in different directions. A skilled rider on a well-trained horse does little more than look in the direction he wants to go, and the subtle shift of position will communicate that direction to the horse.

How to Hold the Reins

The final requirement (no matter whether riding English or western style) is to hold the reins quietly, and low down, close to the horse's withers (the bump in the neck just in front of the saddle). The reins are the rider’s main tool of communication with the horse. They attach to the bit, which goes in the horse's mouth. Pulling and yanking on the reins is at the very least annoying to the horse, and at worst, painful.

Experienced riders barely move their hands, and are sensitive to maintaining a light amount of constant contact with the horse’s mouth. This takes practice; the best advice for beginners is to try to avoid any unnecessary, abrupt, or yanking hand movements.

With practice, new riders will find themselves at ease. Before an equestrian vacation, it is well worth taking three or four lessons. New riders learn these techniques, and also gain confidence. The pre-vacation training will also help prevent sore muscles during the trip.

The copyright of the article Horseback Riding Basics for Equestrian Vacations in Horse/Ranch Travel is owned by Karen Berger. Permission to republish Horseback Riding Basics for Equestrian Vacations in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.