Professional Horse Riding Lessons California Offers Begin With The Basics And Progress Over Time

By Mattie Knight


Children as young as four can take equestrian classes. They will be mounted on ponies that are suitable in size. Horses and ponies are measured in height at the withers in increments of four inches. The withers is the place where the neck meets the back. A hand is equal to four inches. For example, a pony can be thirteen hands high and a tall horse can be seventeen hands high. Most horse riding lessons California provides will teach this to all beginners.

Lessons are usually given for an hour at a time for children above the age of seven or adults. Younger than seven, the children will take shorter lessons. The first part of each lesson is spent tacking up the horse. Tacking up is brushing, saddling and putting on the bridle.

About forty minutes are spent receiving instructions on how to ride. Lastly the students untack their horses and return them to a pasture or stall. A brushing over the back will leave the horse feeling comfortable.

There are rules about what to wear for a riding lesson. A shirt with sleeves is good, but a tank top is not. Jeans are worn but shorts are not. If the child has no jeans in her wardrobe, long pants are fine. Shoes or boots should have at least a one-inch heel. A helmet is mandatory.

The first class is used to observe and evaluate riders and place them in a class that matches their skills. The instructor will demonstrate how to interact with the mount while standing with him. At first, you should hold your hand out to him, keeping the palm down. He will perceive this as a friendly gesture.

The correct way to approach the animal is on the left side. You will brush, saddle and bridle him from the left, except while brushing the right side. If you are walking into a slip stall, make a sound to alert him that someone is behind him. A slip stall is one that is wide enough to accommodate one horse.

To mount the horse, put your left foot in the left stirrup. Then lift yourself up and throw the right leg over his back and place your feet firmly into the stirrups. Use the reins to signal him to turn left, turn right, move forward or stop. Pull back to stop, usually saying whoa is customary.

To move forward make a clicking sound or shake the reins gently against his neck. Most horses respond to the sound as they are accustomed to riders using it. When riding Western the reins are connected to each other and held in the left hand. When you ride English, hold one rein in each hand. The reins are not connected in this style of riding.

Initially, lessons are conducted in an area that is enclosed. The instructor will teach new riders how to signal for a right turn and a left turn in addition to stopping and moving forward. The students will practice their reining skills until they do it naturally and are comfortable with controlling the horse. This is the first lesson for those learning to ride.




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