How to ride a horse for beginners (basics, safety, mistakes)

Riding a horse for the first time can be both thrilling and frightening in equal measures. Perhaps you are excessively frightened (“That creature is ENORMOUS!”), or perhaps you sense that it will be effortless (“Tallyho, Silver!”). After all, the horse is the one exerting all the effort, correct?

Riding is classified as a sport due to its physical nature and the need for various skills, such as coordination and balance. This attribute makes it particularly enjoyable. The purpose of this article is to assist beginners in safely engaging in riding and maintaining their involvement, by providing guidance on these fundamental aspects.

How to Ride a Horse Step by Step

Becoming skilled in horse riding may appear complex at first, as there are numerous aspects involved. However, by dissecting each component into smaller stages, individuals of all ages can gradually develop their equestrian abilities.

How to Get on a Horse for Beginners

Horses being so tall is one of the coolest aspects about them. However, it can also be scary because they are, once again, so tall. Oh no!

What is the method to reach up there? I have good news. By practicing a bit, mounting a horse becomes easy.

Have someone hold your horse for you while you get on.
Always check your girth! If it’s not snug enough, the saddle can “roll” when you try to get on.
Stand on the horse’s left side. (It’s customary to work from this side of the horse, so it will be accustomed to this.)
Hold the ends of the reins in your left hand, just in front of the saddle, but keep them loose. (Reins are what you use to steer your horse, so you’ll want to have them ready.)
Put your left foot in the stirrup. Make sure the ball of your foot is on the stirrup vs. sticking your foot all the way through to the heel.
Put your weight on your left foot and “step up” to a standing position. (Your right leg will be hanging next to your left.)
Swing your right leg up and over the horse’s rump, being careful not to accidentally kick them on the way.
Sit down in the saddle as gently as possible.
Adjust your stirrups to the proper length, or have your trainer do it for you.
Put your right foot in the other stirrup. Remember to center the ball of your foot on the stirrup, not your toe or heel.
Congrats! You’re now on a horse.

How to Stop a Horse for Beginners

While your initial ride may be enjoyable, it is important to bring your horse to a halt at some point. It is crucial to bear in mind that you will be gradually decelerating before coming to a stop. It is not advisable to abruptly stop your horse while you are riding.

First, you’ll want to make sure that you are steady in the saddle.
Sink your weight into the seat.
Lean back a little, and firm up your legs.
There’s no shame in holding on to the horn or the front of the saddle.
Let your horse know you’d like to slow down by saying “Whoa,” in a normal tone of voice. (You don’t need to yell – you’re just a couple of feet away from their ears.)
Pull back gently on the reins. Don’t keep pulling at them like you’re pulling a rope. Instead, alternate tightening and releasing the pressure . Remember, the bit is in their mouth, and it’s sensitive!
Once your horse has stopped, release the reins and give his neck a nice pat as a reward.

How to Walk on a Horse for Beginners

After successfully mounting the horse, you can proceed to signal the horse to start walking while keeping in mind the importance of staying relaxed. It is crucial to avoid tensing your muscles as it will result in increased difficulty.

To walk on a horse, follow these steps:

Make sure you have both of your feet placed comfortably in the stirrups.
Hold the reins in your hand or hands, as your instructor directs. (Western riders usually use one hand)
Sit deep and relaxed in the saddle, and keep the reins slightly loose. You don’t want to pull back on your horse’s mouth as you ask them to move forward.
Give your horse a gentle squeeze (not a kick) with your lower legs to signal he should begin walking. If you have a very quiet or lazy horse, you may need to give him a couple of soft bumps with your heels.
Sit up tall, hold your head up straight, and look between your horse’s ears (not at the ground).
Try not to squeeze repeatedly with your legs once the horse is walking. Keep your legs long, quiet, and with weight firmly down in your heels.
Listen to your instructor about how to steer with your reins and legs.

How to Trot on a Horse for Beginners

Trotting can be compared to jogging for a person, as both involve bouncing up into the air with each stride, which applies to both the horse and the rider.

If the sensation of walking on a horse resembles the mild rocking of a boat on water, then trotting will feel as if the waves are increasing in height, perhaps even to a greater extent, especially at first.

Here is the process to remain “afloat.”

From a walk, gently squeeze your legs to ask the horse to move into a trot. If it continues walking, you may need to lightly bump with your heels.
Don’t be afraid to hold on to the horn or front of the saddle to help steady yourself. You can also attach a grab strap to your Western saddle so you have something sturdy to hold onto. These straps are inconspicuous, inexpensive, and give you some additional security while you’re just starting out.
Trotting may feel awkward, until you get the hang of it, so don’t get frustrated if it’s hard to manage at first.
Try not to squeeze with your knees or legs to hold on, even if it’s your first instinct. Relaxing makes things easier!
Let yourself sink into the saddle, and let your legs continue hanging long, quiet, and with weight in your heels.
Don’t use the reins to help you balance, as that will hurt your horse’s mouth. If you need to steady yourself, use a grab strap or the saddle horn (if riding Western style).
Keep looking forward through your horse’s ears and sitting up nice and tall.
Start by trotting for a few steps at a time in the beginning, then work your way up to longer periods of trotting.
There’s a lot to coordinate at first, but you’ll get the hang of it with practice!

How to Post on a Horse for Beginners

Although it may sound funny, “posting” on your horse is a technique that will greatly facilitate your learning and improvement of riding skills.

To avoid bouncing while the horse trots, posting requires lifting oneself slightly out of the saddle and synchronizing with the horse’s natural movement.

You’ll use your knees and upper leg muscles the most when you’re posting.
While you’re experiencing the one-two-one-two beat of the trot, you’ll notice that you are being bounced out of the saddle when your horse pushes off with their back legs. “Posting” means rising and sitting with that two-beat gait.
Use your knees and thighs as the pivot point to swivel upward and forward from the saddle.
You’ll rise when the horse’s outside shoulder (the one next to the rail or arena wall) moves forward and sit when it moves back.
Keep your eyes up, except for occasionally glancing down to check that you’re rising properly with the horse’s shoulder.
Remember to sit gently so you don’t hurt the horse’s back.
Posting gets easier the more you do it and the more you develop the correct muscles.

How to Sit the Trot Without Bouncing for Beginners

It may seem magical to watch a rider who is more experienced trotting along without bouncing.

Having attempted trotting for the first time, it becomes difficult to comprehend their ability. One might assume they possess exceptionally strong thighs or some kind of adhesive on their saddle seat. In reality, their skill is a result of extensive practice.

To begin the process of improvement, follow these steps:

The secret to not bouncing at the trot is learning to relax and not tense up.
Think about walking along holding a really full cup of water without a lid. If you don’t want it to spill, you have to let your wrist relax and your elbow bend. It’s the same way with riding at the trot.
You have to relax your body and try not to grip hard with your legs.
Let your legs hang long, quiet, and with weight down in your heels.
Imagine that you have that cup of water strapped to the center of your chest, and you’re trying to keep it from spilling all over you and your trusty steed.
Once you learn to sit the trot without squeezing, other pieces of the puzzle will fall into place.
You’ll soon learn to coordinate your hands and weight while you’re in the saddle.

How to Canter on a Horse for Beginners

When you are prepared to canter, you will notice that staying seated in the saddle is somewhat simpler compared to trotting.

Cantering is characterized by three “beats,” or foot falls, and it gives the sensation of being seated on a rocking horse. (A particularly endearing, fluffy rocking horse that emits a soft neighing sound.)

To canter on a horse, follow these steps:

Start cantering from a trot.
It’s easy to make the mistake of trotting faster and faster before you begin to canter, but you want to make a clear transition from trot to canter without trotting quickly.
Asking for the canter can vary from horse to horse, so ask your trainer what cues your horse understands.
Typically, you will move your outside leg back a few inches and then squeeze gently with both legs to ask for the canter.
Keep yourself balanced in the center of the saddle and let your hips move back and forth with the horse.
Don’t pull on the reins (unless it’s going too fast and you want to slow down). Instead, let your horse move his head freely and focus on keeping a deep seat.
When you’re ready to slow down, gently pull back on the reins to let your horse know it’s time to trot again.

How to Gallop on a Horse for Beginners

The next level up from cantering is galloping.

Before transitioning to the fastest gait, it is crucial to ensure that you possess full control of your horse at slower speeds.

Controlling and stopping your horse can prove challenging, putting both you and your horse at risk of injury.

Here is the step-by-step guide on how to gallop on a horse.

Galloping is very similar to cantering, except the horse stretches out to cover more ground more quickly. Your horse will need to stretch out his head and neck so his legs can extend.
Start from a regular canter, ensuring you have full control and feel balanced.
Cue for a gallop by leaning slightly forward and rising out of the saddle. (Think of it like a lesser version of what you see racehorse riders look like.)
Move your hands slightly up the horse’s neck.
Squeeze your legs gently to ask for more speed and extension.
Keep your weight firmly on your feet in the stirrups so you can balance with your butt slightly out of the saddle.

How to Jump on a Horse for Beginners

Jumping can be an enjoyable experience, only if you feel prepared. You may have the opportunity to attempt mini jumps in the riding ring under the guidance of an instructor or while participating in a trail ride.

For beginners, here are a few tips on horse jumping that can be followed step by step.

Jumping feels like a very big and bouncy canter stride. Your horse will push off strongly with its back legs, tuck up its front legs, and go over the jump.
It’s important to lean slightly forward over the jump to help keep your balance and not interfere with it’s mouth.
Maintain strong and secure legs and seat, but don’t grip tightly.
Keep your eyes UP, not looking down at the ground or at the jump.
Move your hands slightly forward on the horse’s neck to avoid pulling on his mouth.
Once you’ve cleared the jump, sit back down in the saddle and return to a normal trot or canter position.
It takes practice to get used to the rhythm of a horse that is going to jump. Be prepared to do lots of drills with your instructor and perhaps learn to go over small jumps without using your stirrups to help you balance.

How to Dismount a Horse for Beginners

Before you dismount, it is necessary to ensure that your horse remains stationary while you exit the saddle.

Bring your horse to a complete stop, and make sure you are away from other horses.
Make sure you have a firm hold on the reins, but don’t pull on your horse’s mouth.
Kick your feet free of your stirrups and lean forward.
Swing your right leg up and over your horse’s back. Be sure not to accidentally kick your horse on the bum!
Slide to the ground on your horse’s left side.
Remember: Dismount on the left side of the horse.

Horse Riding Tips for Beginners

When you begin your horse riding journey, you will feel excitement, and following a few fundamental tips will ensure both enjoyment and safety.

Always wear a helmet. Every ride, every time.
Wear boots with heels… and keep those heels down!
Sit up straight with shoulders back.
Look where you want to go.
Keep your fingers closed around the reins.
Work with a trusted trainer in regular lessons.
Ride a horse that’s well trained and appropriate for your level of experience.
Learn how to keep your nerves in check so you can focus on your position and your horse.
Start slow and become confident at each skill before advancing.
Develop a solid position and seat at all speeds.

Horseback Riding Lessons: How to Start & What to Expect

Unlike in the past, where people had more contact with horses in their daily lives, horseback riding lessons have become many people’s first experience with horses. In today’s generation, our lifestyles do not typically afford us regular contact with horses. Therefore, the best way for us to learn how to ride a horse is through horseback riding lessons.

Paying for Horseback Riding Lessons

If you are unable to afford the cost of regular horseback riding lessons, there are ways to manage the expenses of learning to ride, as horseback riding lessons can be pricey.

How Much do Horseback Riding Lessons Cost?

The cost of horseback riding lessons can differ greatly worldwide and even within different regions of the United States. For example, at showjumping stables in San Francisco or upstate New York, the price for a 45-minute lesson can exceed $100. On the other hand, at laid-back riding stables in suburban Texas or Georgia, lessons can be as affordable as $30-50 for the same duration. In certain areas, group lessons or lesson-packages can further reduce the cost to as little as $25 per hour.

If you are in an area with multiple riding stables offering horseback riding lessons, you can compare prices to find the suitable fit, considering that the cost of riding lessons can differ significantly.

If your aim is to learn how to ride for fun rather than for show, there is no need to pay for pricey competition-focused lessons, training, and coaching as these are often given by highly competitive riding instructors who specialize in horse shows, making them the most expensive option.

Why are Horseback Riding Lessons so Expensive?

Horseback riding lessons come with a high price tag due to the low-profit nature of horse businesses. The cost of one 45-minute lesson includes various expenses such as buying a horse, training it to ensure safety for beginners, providing horse feed and shoes, and taking care of veterinary needs. Moreover, the cost also encompasses running a stable, including expenses like property mortgage, building maintenance, and liability insurance for rider protection. Another factor that contributes to the expensive nature of riding lessons is the valuable time and expertise of a skilled riding instructor.

Good riding instructors possess a combination of excellent riding skills, extensive experience in horse training, and a good understanding of human psychology and education. They successfully handle the technical aspects of riding and alleviate the anxiety of novice riders or those attempting a new gait, all while ensuring that the riding experience remains enjoyable.

What to Expect from Horseback Riding Lessons

For many individuals, it can be unclear what to anticipate when starting horseback riding lessons. They may inquire about the duration required to attain confidence in riding, achieve a gallop, attempt their initial horse jump, or participate in their debut horse show. Although the time frame for acquiring these skills will differ among riders, the following are specific aspects to anticipate during you or your child’s initial lesson:

During the initial 10-20 minutes of your inaugural horseback riding lesson, it is likely that you will engage in the following activities:

learning how to groom and put equipment on your horse (called tacking up ).
basic safety instructions.
mounting a horse correctly.

The remaining part of the initial lesson will be dedicated to learning how to:

correctly and safely hold the horse’s reins
Sit in the saddle with your legs and upper body in the right position
Riding around an enclosed area at a walk,
Steering the horse using the reins and your body.

All first-time horseback riding lessons will typically occur within the confines of an enclosed arena or corral, ensuring that your horse does not flee, thereby eliminating any concerns about it escaping.

It is not uncommon for your riding instructor to use a lunge line, also known as a long lead, during your entire lesson. This technique, commonly used in Europe, enables novice riders to concentrate fully on their balance, posture, and movement without the additional challenge of controlling the horse’s direction.

You Can Expect a Safe Horse

A good riding stable will typically assign a safe, calm, and likely aged horse for beginners’ first riding lessons. A suitable first-lesson horse would have experience teaching new riders and possess patience, a relaxed pace, and a tranquil demeanor. If, during your initial lesson, you find yourself placed on a horse that appears anxious, jumpy, or restless, it serves as a warning sign that perhaps it would be best not to continue with further lessons at that particular stable. Such a horse is not suitable or safe for a novice rider.

You might be curious about the type of horse that will be used in your riding lesson. The breeds most commonly used for horseback riding lessons in the United States are Quarter Horses, Thoroughbreds, and Arabian Horses. This is not because these breeds are known for being especially safe for lessons, but rather because they are the most prevalent breeds in the country. Some stables may choose to use different breeds, such as Haflingers, Shetland Ponies, or even more unusual breeds like Bashkir Curly Horses.

Expect to Stay at a Gait Until You are Bored

As you progress and become more proficient, you will be able to learn how to ride your horse at faster gaits. Once you feel at ease, have good balance, and find the act of walking your horse in the arena somewhat tedious, your instructor will introduce you to the technique of signaling for a trot. Typically, riders grasp the concept of walking and are prepared to attempt trotting towards the conclusion of their second or third horseback riding lesson. Your instructor will guide you in either sitting the trot or performing a rising motion out of the saddle with every stride, known as posting.

The canter comes after the trot and is a faster gait. It is considerably quicker than a trot, and if attempted prematurely, it can cause riders to feel uneasy and anxious.

The speed at which your instructor progresses you to the canter will differ greatly depending on the rider. If you have weekly lessons, are generally fit, and have decent balance, it is likely that you will begin cantering around 2 to 3 months into your weekly horseback riding lessons. If you want advice on gaining confidence in cantering, take a look at our article on learning to canter. Over time, you will acquire the ability to regulate the speed of a horse in each of the three gaits.

When to Expect to Jump Your Horse in Riding Lessons

Most riding stables enforce a rule that mandates riders to have ridden for a year before starting to jump during their riding lessons. The reason behind this rule is that jumping horses is more likely to result in falls and necessitates excellent balance and control over the horse. By spending a year on horseback, riders can develop muscle tone, coordination, and the muscle memory required to ride correctly. This will prepare them for jumping-oriented riding lessons within approximately a year. However, it’s important to note that timelines can significantly differ from rider to rider and stable to stable.

If your goal as a rider is to take jumping lessons, not all stables that offer horseback riding lessons will have this option available. Therefore, it is advised that you inquire in advance or be willing to switch to a different riding stable when you are ready to start jumping.

Riding Lessons at Any Age

Frequently, horseback riding lessons are commonly associated with children and teenagers. However, as more and more research is published in academic journals regarding the positive outcomes of the bond between horses and humans, an increasing number of adults are interested in experiencing horseback riding without the financial burden of buying and taking care of their own horse. If you are an adult considering taking riding lessons, you can find comfort in knowing that you are not alone. At any riding facility worldwide, it is highly likely that you will come across other riders who began their riding lessons in their twenties, thirties, forties, and even fifties and sixties.

Although learning to ride as an adult might be somewhat more physically demanding and potentially involve greater emotional barriers (due to adult awareness of risks compared to children), many new adult riders manage to overcome this challenge each year. Moreover, there are specific clubs, organizations, and riding groups catering to adult beginners. Additionally, individuals residing near a busy riding stable may have the opportunity to participate in group lessons tailored specifically for adult beginners.

Choosing How Often to go to Horseback Riding Lessons

To fully enjoy horseback riding, it is recommended to take riding lessons at least once a week. Regular lessons help in conditioning and strengthening muscles, even if you experience soreness initially. Consistently riding once a week will eventually eliminate soreness in future lessons. However, insufficient frequency of lessons may result in repeated soreness after every horseback riding lesson.

Soreness After Horseback Riding Lessons

Feeling sore after horseback riding lessons is a common occurrence. Horseback riding involves stretching muscles and tendons in various parts of the body, including the groin, back, legs, and even abdomen, which are not typically stretched by other activities. Some have claimed that only horseback riding and swimming engage all the muscles in the body.

After completing your initial riding lessons, it is likely that you will feel somewhat unsteady and lacking strength in your knees when dismounting.

The day after your riding lesson, it is likely that you will experience significant soreness. However, this soreness will gradually diminish with each subsequent riding lesson. After approximately 2-3 weeks of receiving riding lessons on a weekly basis, you will likely no longer feel sore after the majority of horseback riding sessions. It is worth noting that even experienced riders may occasionally experience soreness after an extensive day of riding or engaging in activities that build muscle, such as riding bareback or without stirrups.