How to Begin Horseback Riding

Find an equestrian center near you. If you're going to ride a horse, the first thing you need to track down is a place to ride horses, and a horse to ride. The best way to do this if you're an inexperienced rider is to find an equestrian center or horse ranch in your area that leases horses or provides horseback riding lessons for inexperienced beginners.^[1]

• If you have access to a horse and horseback riding equipment, you can safely skip this section and move on to the next section to learn how to handle and prepare a horse for riding. However if inexperienced and not under supervision, riding under the supervision of trained coach would be both safer and a more enjoyable experience.

Consider leasing a horse. If you or your parents don't want to buy a horse, you can always have a loan or lease a horse from your local riding school, pony club, or from a friend who may have stopped riding due to study, work or injury. Leasing is often cheaper as you and the owner agree on who should pay for what, most of the time the real owner pays for vet and the first pair of shoes.^[2] The rest is up to the new family. It is important to have the veterinarian look over the horse for possible health issues before purchasing, to avoid possible dishonest buyers. Do not buy or lease a horse unless you are ready to care for one. If you don't know the basics then this is a wrong move and you could end up either injuring the horse or even just selling it only weeks or months later as you may not be experienced enough.

• If you're considering buying a horse outright, it's important to make all the considerations of price before you get too attached. Horses are living creatures, requiring feed, water, and attention every day, as well as a clean pasture area and stable or stall to protect it from the weather. They also require regular veterinary care, and hoof care by a qualified farrier, who trims the hooves and re-shoes the horse when needed. Also, don't just ride your horse for a day a week. Horse riding is a large commitment, and before you buy, remember your horse needs a lot of attention.^[3]

Buy a saddle and saddle blanket. The saddle helps many young and old riders stay on the horse, it is a means of providing comfort for riders over long distances. They come in many styles and varieties, and learning to size your saddle appropriately is an important part of riding.^[4]

• When selecting a size, make sure you have the horses height and breed as well as conformation and size. A child rider usually is a 10 inch (25.4 cm) or so, but some saddles are suited to stocky fat ponies and some are suited to elegant lanky horses.
• Most beginners should start with "General" or "All Purpose" saddles, though saddles come in many styles and varieties each depending on the style and purpose of riding. A Western Saddle is usually only used for Western riding, while a Jumping Saddle is used for Show Jumping.
• The saddle cloth should be large enough to fit the saddle and have about an inch or two all the way around the saddle. This helps protect the saddle and stops the saddle from pinching the horse.

Purchase a bridle for the horse. The bridle provides a means of control. Specifically, the bit helps control the horse, the reins help to turn.^[5] Though this is only partly true, your riding instructor will do the teaching, so you only need to know what type is better. ALWAYS KNOW THAT: You do NOT have to use a bit. Do some serious research before putting a piece of metal in your horses mouth. Look up some things on YouTube (Think Like A Horse does a good job of explaining what it does to your horses mental and physical state.) And please, do not get a bit with shanks on them. If you are a true horseman, you should not need leverage to control your animal. There should be a mutual bond between you, not one of hate and pain. Though, if you do want to use a bit, please be gentle and get a snaffle bit. (Please also note to not get a tom thumb bit, they are one of the worst kinds of bits, and just because it has a break in the middle of it does not mean that it is automatically 'kind') There are MANY types of bridles that are better than the one's with bits. There are hackamores and side pulls. They are all good alternatives.^[6]

• The bit and bridle must be proper for the horse, and different bits and bridles must be tried with the horse to find the best combination, as each horse is unique and sensitive to minute changes within the bridle setup.
• It's usually recommended that this component be handled by a trainer or other person highly experienced with horses, as an improperly chosen bit or poorly adjusted bridle may possibly endanger the horse while attempting to ride.
• Note that you should have one wrinkle when putting in a bit, or less.

Buy a grooming kit. Brushing a horse helps blood circulation, lets the rider bond with the horse, and makes him clean and shiny.^[7] You should always groom a horse before going for a ride and after, before removes any dirt and prickles that may cause the horse to react as he is in pain. A basic grooming kit should have:

• Curry Comb, used to remove dry dirt and excessive hair
• Dandy Brush, which is a stiff brush used to remove mud and hard stains
• Body Brush, which is a soft bristled brush for bringing a shine and used on the face and delicate areas)
• Hoof pick, to remove mud and stones from hooves
• Mane comb, used to brush mane and forelock
• A sponge for cleaning the nose and eyes and removing sweat marks after riding

Purchase riding attire. This should technically be bought before the rider buys saddles, blankets, brides, bits and all those other equipment. This should probably be bought before a horse is bought or leased. The rider should have a helmet designed specifically for riding, that is ASTM/STI certified.^[8] Helmets such as bike helmets are not satisfactory, as riding helmets cover more of the head and are specifically designed for safety against falls while horseback riding.

• Boots should be flat-soled, preferably pointed, and they must have a heel, all to facilitate the easy removal of the boot from the stirrup should anything go wrong.
• Jodhpurs are tight pants designed specifically for riding, and are usually considered the best choice, giving the most flexibility and give for riding. When you're first starting, any durable pair of pants would be satisfactory, as long as they allow for a full range of movement.
• Riding shirts should have sleeves to prevent sunburn, or simply any shirt which breathes well, for comfort while on the horse. Gloves may be another choice, as some may see their fingers irritated by the reins, or they may prefer the grip provided by the material.

Take riding lessons from a qualified teacher. Start with barn chores at a quality stable first, if there is one nearby, to become familiar with horses and to get used to being around them. Many stables are happy to have a volunteer. In return they might let you ride their horses, and you will become acquainted with the horses, their temperaments, and body language.