How to Boost Your Confidence when Horse Riding
If you need to boost your confidence when starting to horse ride or are already a rider, then this how-to is for you.
Steps
- Choose a horse that is very quiet to ride and handle.
- If you take lessons, inform the instructor that you don't have a lot of confidence with horses yet, and you would like to start out on a very calm horse. DO NOT stay quiet or agree to take an ornery horse just because you don't want to look bad.
- Spend time with the horse. Pet him, brush him and give him a bath. Do all the tack work yourself, or as much as possible if you are a beginner.
- Learn about the signals your horse gives you.
- Read up on horse riding with a good book. Especially focus on how to properly ride and how to read a horses' body language.
- Get someone else (preferably the owner) to ride the horse in a walk, trot, canter and maybe even go over a small jump. Notice that although the owner may be more experienced than you, he can still handle the horse very well, and the horse will handle just as well for you if you don't get excited or rush him.
- When you first get on, spend time finding a good seat and getting into position. Don't worry about getting out and riding quickly - be comfortable. If you notice anything odd, such as a crooked saddle or the reins look wrong, get down and fix them now.
- Walk the horse first. This is important for you, so you can get yourself together, and the horse, because it warms him up so he doesn't pull a muscle. This is also a good time to find any problems with the tack, such as a bit that isn't working right.
- Go slowly. If your teacher wants you to move on, say that you don't feel comfortable yet. Your teacher knows what he is doing, and if he says he is confident you can do it, trust him.
- Ride as often as you can.
- LEARN HOW TO FALL. DO NOT throw out an arm (you will probably break it), and move away from the horse as quickly as possible if he was throwing a fit.
- If you have taken a bad fall, or something happens to make you really afraid of horses, think back to everything before that. One bad fall after a year of riding is only one small event after a lot of hours on a horse. The chances that it will happen again are very small.
Tips
- Unless you are actually injured, NEVER stop riding if you fall. If you do not get back on the horse, you are teaching yourself that falling is a bigger deal then it really is, and the horse might learn that throwing you off is a good way to get rid of you.
- Always have good control of your horse. Make sure the reins are a good length and your seat is right.
- Find something you are good at, like trail obstacles, and always finish up with that.
- Every time you ride, practice something you aren't good at. For example, I am terrible at jumping (after 2 years of riding). I spent all last week jumping, and I'm beginning to improve. Last week was also the first time ever I fell off a horse, but I got right back on and kept jumping for another half hour or so.
- Take things slowly.
- If you only ride Western, try English, and vice-versa. You may feel more comfortable in one or the other.
- If a horse "crow-hops" or tries to buck, LEAN BACK. If he rears, lean forward.
- If a horse is being badly behaved, try to find a reason why they are acting like this, it could be that the rider isn't giving the correct aids or that the horse is in pain. For example if a horse bucks or rears or displays other bad habits, it could be due to a problem with tack, and it is advisable if a horse shows continual bad behaviour, to get the horses back and teeth etc. checked, it can also be due to hormones for example an in season mare may behave differently than normal and be more sensitive or grumpy.you should never punish a horse for not doing what you ask just make alterations to your riding and ask again, if the horse still doesn't respond then back up your aid with a crop to get the horse listening, it's not a form of punishment and shouldn't be used in anger, as this won't enhance your confidence.
- Always concentrate on riding properly. Keeping your heels down and your head up really does help with balance.
- Ask for a quiet or older horse then when you start gaining confidence move onto a more spirted horse.
- Don't be afraid of sharing your thoughts towards an activity. If you can tell your instructor WHY you feel uncomfortable, you will feel much better, and you will solve your problems easier.
- Analyze your situation. Be honest with your riding ability.
- always focus on the positive things you did in a riding session for example; good upward transitions, my lower leg position was good ect. inexperienced or novice riders commonly focus on the negitive things that happened, you need to try to change your mind set and make it more positive.
- If you're a beginner, after something big like your first canter, remember to take a long deep breathe and go back to sitting deep in the saddle. Make sure you're going with the horse's movements; that way, if he canters off, you go with him. Relax, this is something that comes in handy which is why after a jump or a canter you should take a long deep breath, then concentrate on moving the same way as your horse.
- Believe you can do it, keep saying in your head, i can do it i can do it, it really helps alot.
- Believe in your instructor, if you don't think you can do it well she/he does or she wouldn't of said it in the first place.
- Once you have done something for the first time ie. your first canter it will be alot easier the next time you do it.
Warnings
- If you lie about your true feelings towards a riding activity, you will be the one to suffer, and your fears will be harder to solve.
- Always wear a helmet and boots when riding a horse.
- Never ride alone.
- Never become frustrated with the horse. If he is well-trained, it is probably YOU that is messing up, rather than him.
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- How to Get Better Balance when Riding
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