Riding:Part1

Horseback riding is super fun. Here, are the basics of riding. After you tack up your horse you have to lead him into the arena. Check your girth and make sure it's tight and the saddle does not move. If you aren't sure tighten it as much as you can and have your instructor or someone experienced check it for you. Next you want to run your stirrups down. If you don't know their length you could estimate with the length of your arm and putting your fist where the stirrup straps start then adjusting them so the end touches your arm pit. After you adjust your stirrups and tighten your girth it's time to get on. Lead your horse to a mounting block if you don't know how to mount. Climb up onto the mounting block and stick your foot in the stirrup. Next swing your other leg over the horse, and sit gently on his back. Make sure your well seated and gently squeeze your calves against the horse's sides to make him go forward. Keep your heels down and legs turned inward so your whole leg has contact on the horse and keeps you in a secure position. Also remember to keep your hands down and your torso straight up. If you need to slow down squeeze with your thighs and lean back also you could pull back on the reins but these shouldn't be depended on. You should depend on your legs. To go faster squeeze with your calves. These are basics of riding next week I'll tell u how to turn and elaborate on the different gates/ speeds.

Tacking Up Your Horse:Part 2

Last week you learned how to groom your horse before tacking up. Today, you will learn how to actually put your equipment on. So, now that your horse is clean the first thing you need to put on is the horse's saddle. The saddle is what you sit on for those of you who don't know and goes on the horse's back. Before putting the saddle on you need to first put on the saddle pad. Put the saddle pad on up on the withers. Then put the saddle on top. Make sure everything is even then slide the saddle into place behind the shoulders so that the girth is three inches behind the horse's elbow. After that you need tighten the horse's girth. You should tighten the girth just enough so the saddle stays in place, but then make it tight right before you get on. Next you need to put on your bridle. First take off your horse's halter and fasten it onto his neck so you still have control over him. Next slide the reins over his head and grab all the other straps. Place the bit on your palm and your other hand on the horse's poll. Offer the bit to the horse, but if he doesn't open his mouth slide your thumb in his mouth behind his teeth. After you get the bit in, slide the headpiece over his ears and buckle up the straps. The throatlatch should be loose enough so that you can fit four fingers and the noseband should be tight enough so that you can fit in two fingers. Now you know how to tack up your horse.

Tacking Up:Part 1

    When getting ready to ride a horse, one thing you must know is how to tack your horse up for the ride. Tacking up means to basically put the saddle and bridle(tack) on the horse.First, you must get your  saddle, bridle, grooming kit (brushes,hoof pick,and etc.),and helmet because once you get your horse you'll have to supervise him and you don't want to be running around getting all of your gear since it would also waste a lot of time. Next you should halter your horse and take him to the cross-ties or tie him outside his stall,which are the most convenient spots , but you can basically put him wherever you put your tack. After that start with the hoof pick and scrape out all the dust and stones from your horse's hooves,but be careful not to poke the triangle thing in the middle (the frog) because it is very sensitive. After that you should curry comb his coat. This is the harder rubber thing with little round teeth on it. Move this in a circular motion all over your horse to loosen up the hair and dirt. Finally brush off all the dirt using quick strong strokes. Now you have a clean horse to tack up. Next week I'll tell you how to put everything on.