Wednesday 21 October 2015

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

By Mattie Knight


A child can take equestrian classes as soon as he reaches the age of four. Ponies are the suitable mount at that early age. Ponies and horses have their height measured at the withers. They are measured in increments of four inches, which is referred to as a hand. Ponies are generally under fourteen hands high while horses are taller than that. Horse riding lessons California offers will provide a horse or pony appropriate to the size and skill of the rider.

The children age six and under usually take a half hour lesson at a time. For those seven and older, including adults, the classes last an hour. Before riding, the class will tack up their horses. This includes learning to brush, saddle and adjust the stirrups. Then they learn how to put the bridle on.

The major portion of the hour is spent riding. The last five minutes are spent untacking and putting him in the barn or pasture. Brushing its back after a ride is always welcomed by your mount.

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.

If taking him out of a slip stall make a noise or talk to let him know you are there. A slip stall is for one horse. You should always saddle and mount from the left side. When in a slip stall, he is secured by attaching the halter to the hay manger using a knot called the slip knot.

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.

First lessons are spent in an enclosed area for security purposes. You will learn to signal for a right turn by moving the reins in that direction and a left turn to the left. You will practice starting, stopping and turning until it becomes routine. This is step one in a series of lessons to enable you to learn to ride.




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