So You Want to Learn to Horse Ride
The first thing you should do if you have decided you want to learn to ride a horse is to find a good riding school.
All riding schools in the UK must have a licence issued by the local authority.
This primarily focuses on the well being of the horses and ponies.
In addition, you can check with The British Horse Society (BHS) and the Association of British Riding Schools (ABRS).
Both these organisations run voluntary approved schemes which foucus on high standards safety, horse care and riding instruction.
Riding lessons are obviously essential for someone who has never ridden before.
First and foremost, they allow a beginner to enjoy horse riding safely and in time, learn the correct skills.
Even riders who have been riding for years often benefit from lessons as there is always something to learn and, of course, lessons can help eradicate bad habits that inevitably get picked up over the years.
What To Wear For Your First Lesson In most cases, it would be a little premature, to go out to buy the wide selection of clothing and equipment available to riders until you are sure riding is for you.
However there is one piece of equipment a rider must wear from day one and that is the riding hat.
This is an essential piece of equipment which must conform to current safety standards.
Riding hats can usually be borrowed or hired from most good riding schools.
No riding school should allow you to ride without one.
If they do, you are advised to leave the school immediately.
Also second hand hats should be avoided as you will be unaware of the wear and tear the hat has endured and therefore may not offer proper protection.
There are two main types of riding boots: Long boots that come up to the knee and jodhpur boots which only protect feet and ankles.
Beginners should ideally ride in boots or at least, sturdy shoes with a small heel.
Trainers are not appropriate.
Jodhpurs/breeches are also ideal.
They are flexible, close fitting trousers that allow the rider freedom of movement while protecting the skin from chaffing.
Loose fitting trousers are almost certainly going to cause chaffing to the beginner which can be quite uncomfortable.
All riding schools in the UK must have a licence issued by the local authority.
This primarily focuses on the well being of the horses and ponies.
In addition, you can check with The British Horse Society (BHS) and the Association of British Riding Schools (ABRS).
Both these organisations run voluntary approved schemes which foucus on high standards safety, horse care and riding instruction.
Riding lessons are obviously essential for someone who has never ridden before.
First and foremost, they allow a beginner to enjoy horse riding safely and in time, learn the correct skills.
Even riders who have been riding for years often benefit from lessons as there is always something to learn and, of course, lessons can help eradicate bad habits that inevitably get picked up over the years.
What To Wear For Your First Lesson In most cases, it would be a little premature, to go out to buy the wide selection of clothing and equipment available to riders until you are sure riding is for you.
However there is one piece of equipment a rider must wear from day one and that is the riding hat.
This is an essential piece of equipment which must conform to current safety standards.
Riding hats can usually be borrowed or hired from most good riding schools.
No riding school should allow you to ride without one.
If they do, you are advised to leave the school immediately.
Also second hand hats should be avoided as you will be unaware of the wear and tear the hat has endured and therefore may not offer proper protection.
There are two main types of riding boots: Long boots that come up to the knee and jodhpur boots which only protect feet and ankles.
Beginners should ideally ride in boots or at least, sturdy shoes with a small heel.
Trainers are not appropriate.
Jodhpurs/breeches are also ideal.
They are flexible, close fitting trousers that allow the rider freedom of movement while protecting the skin from chaffing.
Loose fitting trousers are almost certainly going to cause chaffing to the beginner which can be quite uncomfortable.
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