How to learn horseback riding

horse riding

Man has ridden horses for thousands of years, and perhaps the oldest relationship between man and other beings is his relationship with horses. He, may God’s prayers and peace be upon him, said: (Horses have goodness tied to their forelocks until the Day of Resurrection), and Omar bin Al-Khattab said: (Teach your children swimming, archery, and horse riding) in an invitation from him to learn to ride horses because of their great importance at that time, and to ride horses in this time. Days are considered one of the important sports for which many competitions are held, whether local or international. Here is how to ride a horse for beginners.

Horse riding steps

Steps to sit on a horse

Approach the horse quietly to its side and let it know you are there.
According to tradition, the horse is ridden from the left side, where you hold the reins with your left hand, then turn the stirrups towards you with your right hand.
Place your left foot in the stirrup and hold the saddle with your right
Gently hop into the stirrups. Swing your right leg over the horse and then sit in the saddle.
While riding, be careful not to tighten the reins
Do not use the horse's neck to lift yourself onto its back, as this puts the horse at risk of injury and may frighten it.

Balancing on a horse's back

While sitting on the horse's back, you should always look forward, and keep your back and shoulders straight.
A third of your shoes should be inside the stirrups.
Position your thighs in a way that you are comfortable in the saddle, and you should make your weight evenly distributed on both sides of the horse.
Keep your heels low, and stabilize your legs well so that they do not move too far forward, and sit so that your shoulders, hips, and heels are in one line. This is not easy, as it requires strength in the abdominal area, and because you are not used to it, you will get tired quickly.

Holding the bridle

Make a fist with your hand and put your thumb up, then place the rein between your little finger and ring finger and pass it through the palm of your hand, then bend your thumb on the rein and steady your arm. At first, you will feel resistance when holding the rein. Do not tighten it so as not to hurt the horse, and do not use it to stabilize yourself, as this is not the case. Comfortable for the horse.

Horse riding basics

To walk, press on the sides of the horse using your leg muscles, but gently to encourage the horse to walk. To do this, press your heels downward. This way, your legs will instinctively press on the horse.
To stop the horse apply gentle pressure on the reins.
To make the horse turn, press on the side you want it to turn towards. If you want the horse to turn to the right, press your right leg on the horse and vice versa.
To get the horse to trot, do the same action as walking, but with a little more force.
As for running, it can be learned after learning all the walking movements because it is the most difficult step.