Most instructors will start first-time riders on the longe-line. This allows the rider to focus e...
Credit: Lindsey Clapp Ramsak | ©Lindsey Clapp Ramsak - 2005
So you're ready to ride. Good for you! Of course, you will want to begin with a few lessons before you head out on the trails or into the open country.
How can you decide where and how to start?
Choose your discipline.
You may wish to browse in your local library and find a few basic books about horseback riding. Don't overlook the children's section, which may offer descriptive books with photos and diagrams. Look in the backs of several books for glossaries to explain terms you might not recognize.
Check out a few books that look promising. You will likely want to read these before your first lesson!
Do you have any idea what kind of riding you would like to do? You might choose from Western or English pleasure, trail riding, reining, barrel-racing, jumping, dressage, Saddle-seat, driving, and more.
Most often, beginning riders wind up pursuing the first discipline they learn, which is usually whatever is offered at the first barn where they happen to schedule a lesson. If they walk into a reining barn, they learn reining. If they stumble into a dressage stable, that's what they learn.
Many first-timers discover much later that they actually had many more options!
Find an appropriate barn.
You can begin by identifying several possibilities in the phone book or online. Maybe an equestrian-minded friend can offer a few helpful recommendations. Online breed and association registries usually list lesson barns and boarding stables. Many equestrian websites allow users to search for stables by region, state, breed, and other specifications.
The best plan is this: make a list of prospective lesson barns, and begin visiting them. Ask for a tour. Visit the horses that are there, and observe a few lessons, if you can. Be sure to select stables that actually offer lesson horses, as many barns do not. (In such spots, you would have to have your own horse to ride there.)
Look at the riding facility. Is the arena crowded? Does the barn have an indoor arena, and outdoor ring, or both? Are trails offered? Do participants respect safety and treat one another courteously?
Pick a riding instructor.
How can you decide where and how to start?
Choose your discipline.
You may wish to browse in your local library and find a few basic books about horseback riding. Don't overlook the children's section, which may offer descriptive books with photos and diagrams. Look in the backs of several books for glossaries to explain terms you might not recognize.
Check out a few books that look promising. You will likely want to read these before your first lesson!
Do you have any idea what kind of riding you would like to do? You might choose from Western or English pleasure, trail riding, reining, barrel-racing, jumping, dressage, Saddle-seat, driving, and more.
Most often, beginning riders wind up pursuing the first discipline they learn, which is usually whatever is offered at the first barn where they happen to schedule a lesson. If they walk into a reining barn, they learn reining. If they stumble into a dressage stable, that's what they learn.
Many first-timers discover much later that they actually had many more options!
Find an appropriate barn.
You can begin by identifying several possibilities in the phone book or online. Maybe an equestrian-minded friend can offer a few helpful recommendations. Online breed and association registries usually list lesson barns and boarding stables. Many equestrian websites allow users to search for stables by region, state, breed, and other specifications.
The best plan is this: make a list of prospective lesson barns, and begin visiting them. Ask for a tour. Visit the horses that are there, and observe a few lessons, if you can. Be sure to select stables that actually offer lesson horses, as many barns do not. (In such spots, you would have to have your own horse to ride there.)
Look at the riding facility. Is the arena crowded? Does the barn have an indoor arena, and outdoor ring, or both? Are trails offered? Do participants respect safety and treat one another courteously?
Pick a riding instructor.
- Read about the variety of riding disciplines before signing up for lessons.
- Do you want to ride Western, saddleseat, dressage, hunter, or another style?
- Visit several equestrian facilities to watch instructors and horses in action.
Comments
Gaby
(Guest)
(Guest)
07/03/2008
I ride all the time. =]
I suggest that everybdoy should do it.
You're never to old to start.
Great article, thanks! We are thinking of getting our daughter horseback riding lessons for her birthday.
I rode a few times when I was in my teens and loved it. Have worked Horse shows food stands, and got to enjoy watching the performances, and competition. Hugs Mary
I always loved to ride and would do so every chance I had especially when on vacations...each time was like a first time...LOL...thanks for the great article, makes me want to get back in the saddle again even with my bad back
I would have loved to ride when I was younger.
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