Love Horse Riding? 5 Tips To Help You Learn To Ride Horses

Knowing how to ride a horse can provide you with hours of healthy, exciting, outdoor fun. However, learning how to ride horses can be difficult, and even frightening if you have not spent much time around horses before. Although learning any new skill can be difficult, here are five tips that will have you riding like an experienced equestrian in no time.

1. Spend Some Time Around Horses

If you have not spent a lot of time around horses, get to know what they are like before you get into the saddle for the first time. See if local stables will let you help groom and clean up after their horses. You will get valuable experience dealing with these majestic animals. Once you become familiar with the way horses behave and think, getting on a horse’s back will not be quite as scary.

2. Take Lessons

Although there are plenty of stables that will allow anyone to take an afternoon ride, if you are serious about horseback riding you should consider taking formal lessons. Horseback riding lessons can get expensive, but if you are serious about learning how to ride, they are your best option. Look for an experienced instructor who is patient and is used to working with new riders.

3. Develop A Relationship With Your Horse

You should groom your horse after every ride, even if the stable where you take lessons offers to do this for you. By spending more time with the horse you ride during lessons, you will develop a trusting relationship with your riding partner. Never yell at or strike your horse, even if you get frustrated. Stay patient, and your horse will grow to trust you.

4. Practice, Practice, Practice

Nobody becomes an expert rider after one ride. Commit to practising at least once a week if possible. The more often you ride, the more quickly you will feel comfortable and natural in the saddle.

5. Learn About Horse Tack

Finally, you should know the basics of all your horse’s tack. You should also learn how to get your horse ready to ride properly. An improperly cinched saddle can become loose during a trail ride, and this can be dangerous to both horse and rider. As long as you take the time to learn how to use your riding equipment properly, riding is a safe and enjoyable activity.

Love Horse Featured Profile – Roxanna

Love Horse Featured Profile – Mike

Who is he?
We’re featuring one of our eligible men this week and His name is Mike.

What’s he like?

Mike is a very active and gregarious person who enjoys all kinds of outdoor activities. As well as horse riding he also loves skiing, water skiing, motor bikes, flying, camping and walking. He has a dog which he describes as ‘mad’ so with all those interests you’ll find he has plenty to talk about. Just ask Mike about any of the things he’s interested in and you’re sure to get his attention. He’s fit and active too and keeps in shape by going to the gym and running.

What is he looking for?

Mike would like some female company not only when he’s out and about doing the things he loves but also for evenings in restaurants, pubs and theatres. With a chap like Mike to take you out you can be sure of an interesting evening and plenty of fun during the day.

Where can I find him?

If you would like to know more about Mike then register here or login to Love Horse here.

Mike is waiting for you to get in touch and you could drop him some hints to invite you out or take the lead yourself!

Double Up For a Great Time Horse Riding

Everyone remembers their days in school and the fun we used to have double dating on Friday night. Some of us went to the drive-in movie, and other couples headed up to the point and checked out the view. Then, we’d all meet later at the local hang out for a root beer float and a burger. There was something special about it, and now that we’re all grown up, there are still good times to be found by doubling with another couple. Plus, the fact that we can bring our horses into the picture, makes the idea of a double date even more exciting to contemplate. After all, a big part of owning a horse is having experiences that involve them

Horses are social creatures just as we are, and they’re going to enjoy mixing with a few other horses, especially if there’s a horse or two they aren’t familiar with. We always enjoyed watching the way our horses seemed to perk up when we’d meet with another group on horseback. Their display of personality and the way they interact is, at the very least, interesting, if not entertaining in its own way.

The first thought that comes to mind for a double date with our horses would be four people, each with their own horse. You could all get together in the afternoon for a ride, and it could even be followed by a barbecue. In the event everyone is relatively new to each other, this a great way to get acquainted. On the other hand, if you’ve all been out before, a ride and a dinner is always a good way to keep the friendship moving along.

The summer season is right around the corner, and summertime usually suggests some type of water sports. Bathing suits and bareback riding to a nearby stream, or playing in the spray of a rain bird sprinkler can be a lot of fun. Anyone that’s been around these animals for a time knows, horses enjoy cool water as much as we do. A good wetting down on a hot day is one way to beat the heat, even if it’s only wading into a lake on horseback. If you’ve done this before, you can imagine the fun of playing in the water with your partner and another couple.

Of course, there’s always the hay ride on a warm evening. For anyone that hasn’t had the occasion to outfit your horse with a harness, you’re in for a pleasant surprise. Even if your horse has never been outfitted with harness tack, you’ll be surprised how well the animal takes to the rigging. Horses have a natural desire to go forward, and if this means being harnessed to a wagon, the animal is going to it, especially if there’s a clear, flat road to travel. Bring along a cooler of cold drinks and a few snacks for everyone, including the horses. A double date, with the horses hitched to a wagon can be a lot of fun on a summer evening.

Meeting new people that share our interest in horses brings out our enthusiasm. In addition to the social side of our lives, talking about our horses with other couples is one way to improve everyone’s approach to training and care of the animals.

Double dates on horseback are a weekly affair for many, and if you were to ask them, they would admit it’s something they look forward to with delight. Summer is the time to take the plunge and set up a date with your partner and another couple. You can arrange to meet at the stables, or set out and gather everyone up, one at a time. Your horses are going to enjoy a double date just as much as you will.

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