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What You Need to Prepare Before Going to Your First Horseback Riding Lesson
Horseback riding lessons are lovely things—it’s a time where you can feel more connected, and in tune with the animal kingdom, you can make friends with people who love animals just as much as you do, and you have the opportunity to expand the hobby in a competitive direction if that’s something that speaks to you. The following will help you understand what you need to prepare before going to your first horseback riding lesson.
Listen To Your Instructor
There are as many ways to teach as there are teachers in the world. If your future instructor has given you any guidelines for preparation, ensure that you’re following these instructions before you tackle anything else on the list. Your first lesson might be hyper-focused or might involve you getting to know the horses and the horses getting to know you. Because of this, you might be told to bring certain clothing or items with you. You might also need to sign a waiver or provide documentation of some kind proving your age (or your child’s age). Moreover, you might be expected to pay for the lessons upfront, which means you need to get the financial stuff in order.
Brush Up On Your Vocabulary
Every hobby, art, and sport has its own unique jargon that developed over time. Horseback riding is no exception. Take a moment to learn about some new horse words and phrases. This will not only make you feel less confused on the big day, but it will also keep you from wasting precious time (that you’re paying for) on things not involving riding.
Seek Out The Right Gear
Nothing is going to ruin the day faster than extreme discomfort. The things you wear and the horse riding equipment you have can make the day easier on your body or harder. Make no mistake—horseback riding is draining on your body. You need to dress as if you’re going to play a sport because you are. You need the right clothing and protective gear.
Pants
You’re also going to want the right clothing and equipment for your class. Ideally, you want long pants that don’t restrict your movement. Even if it’s quite warm out, you don’t want to be wearing shorts because the horsehair might irritate your skin a little—your legs can also chafe against the saddle. You also want to avoid slippery pants because you don’t want to be sliding around on the saddle.
Shirts
When choosing which shirt to wear, think about the sun. It might get hot while you’re out on the horse, but also, you want to protect your skin from the sun. A lighter, long-sleeved shirt would be best. Sleeves will also protect your arms from scrapes and scratches. If you’re expecting it to be cooler, use a few thinner layers, so you can take one off if you need to.
Footwear
The footwear you choose is also crucial. You want hard-toed boots that will protect your feet in the event that a horse steps on them. Regular running or tennis shoes are too soft to protect your toes from the weight of a horse. Ideally, your boots would come up to at least your ankle to provide support and would have a heel that’s at the minimum one inch (2.5 centimeters). The heel will allow you to rest your feet more comfortably on the stirrups.
Helmet
A riding helmet is also vital. You want one that is secure and doesn’t wobble about on your head as you’re moving. Your lessons might provide a helmet, so check with them ahead of time about this. You likely won’t be allowed on the horse without a helmet. Sometimes people don’t like to share helmets for hygiene reasons—if that’s the case for you, finding your own would be better.
Nothing Too Loose
Avoid flowy and loose-fitting clothes like scarves. You don’t want anything on you that could easily get caught on a branch or something in the stable. You also don’t want to spook the horse with some odd-moving shape floating in the corner of their eye.
Bring Water And A Snack
Any outdoor activity can wear on you if you’re not careful and this includes horseback riding. Bringing a water bottle and a snack can help make sure that you avoid dehydration and ensure that you have something to eat if you need a little extra energy. While you’re at it, make sure you have a solid breakfast on the day of the lesson.
If applied, the above information should help ensure you’re reading for your first horseback riding lesson. The only other thing you’ll need is the right attitude. Remember, learning any skill takes time, devotion, and openness towards critique.
