by Angel Quinton

Created on: September 09, 2008   Last Updated: June 25, 2009

So you have decided to take to exciting, rewarding, step of learning to ride a horse? This is a excellent hobby, great exercise and above all fun. However, as in most sports it is vital that you are aware of potential problems, most of these can be eliminated if you find a reputable riding school and instructor.

Your first task, having decided to take riding lessons is to find a suitable venue and instructor. Check out all the ones in your area, and visit them at least once before booking a lesson. Check if they are registered with an official organisation, in Britain this would be The British Horse Society. If they are registered you can be assured they have passed necessary checks of qualifications of instructors, horses and facilities. Take a look around the yard and stables. Is the yard tidy and clean? Do the horses appear healthy and happy? Do employees appear happy, are they willing to answer any questions and do they appear knowledgeable? Is the instructor that will be teaching you qualified?

If you are happy with the stables and are going ahead to book your lesson, ask if you need any equipment or is it supplied? Arrive at the riding school early, around ten or fifteen minutes before your lesson is about to start. If possible, go to see the horse you will be riding and get to know him by stroking and talking to him.

When you meet your instructor, tell them, if you have not already, what experience you already have, both riding and handling horses. Tell them your aims and what you want to achieve from your lessons. Do you aim to compete in the future? Are you planning to buy your own horse? Or do you simply want to hack out occasionally? These are all factors that the instructor will take into account when planning your initial lessons.

To get the most of your riding lesson it is important to get to know your instructor and develop a good relationship so you can discuss your needs, anxieties and the level you want to achieve with your riding. If communication is not established adequately you could be wasting a lot of time, effort and money.

It is vital to tell of any anxieties you have, are you nervous around horses? Have you suffered a fall and trying to regain confidence? This will influence what your instructor asks of you and which horse you ride, some horses will play up for nervous riders, others will be fine.
Throughout the lesson, continue to communicate with the instructor, if you are unsure of an instruction, ask them to explain. If you feel uncomfortable with a task asked of you please say, as it is the only way your instructor will know. Likewise if you feel ready to move on to the next step ask your instructor, who will then assess if you are ready or not.

Always ask for feedback at the end of the lesson or new activity, if not given, it is important when learning to learn from any mistakes and to be clear what you need to improve, and which steps to take to improve. Above all try to keep a sense of humour, things do, and will go wrong around horses, we all have off days so see the funny side when things do not go to plan. Ask any horsey person of a funny story concerning horses and they will have at least one, so keep things in perspective and remember you can try again next time!

If you continue to communicate and establish your needs you will be in a far better position to improve your riding and reach your goals. That may be a gentle hack down the lane or to win competitions, whatever it is it is important for both you and your instructor to keep focused on achieving the next step and progress to a new one.

I hope you have many happy and successful riding years.

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