Riding Lessons

[Kimoshino]

Everyone (in my western saddle question) keeps telling me I should find a new teacher to help me learn to ride, but I've never had one in the first place! I would love to find a riding instructor but up here in northeast Nebraska there's no instructor around here TO teach me!!!!!! But I'm learnin how to ride bareback myself so all you people who say I'm gonna hurt someone can BITE ME. I have to go now but I'll be back later. I only have to go because I'm at school, I have more to say, but later.

[Kimoshino]

ok, I'm back, I know the people were giving me advice because this is a forum, *smacks forehead* DUH! but anyways... I know I can hurt someone, or the horse if I don't know what I'm doing, but that doesn't mean I just have to stop riding altogether until I can find an instructor does it? I never thought so but I guess since I can't find an instructor I should stop. I mean, I don't want the horse to get hurt... anyways, I can't ride now anyways, there is snow and ice on the ground. Hopefully, some of your guys advice will trickle into my thick head. Sorry bout what I said >>>(bite me) Thanks.

[rubysoho]

My advice, read as much as you can on riding horses (western or english). Learn about how to warm up your horse properly so you will lessen the chances of straining your horse's ligaments and muscles. Learn how to cool down your horse. Leaving them in the crossties to dry the sweat (without cooling down first...espcially in the cold weather you seem to have) or just putting them back in the stall will take a toll on your horse and will be more likely to be injured. Learn about grooming, their feet, anything you can. Read about a rider's position and if you can have a friend or family member who you can teach what to look for, it makes it much easier for you (sometimes what you feel is right, isn't). Hope this helps! Oh and get different books on the same subject (the library is good for this) because not always one way of explaining something works for every person or their horse. Good luck!

[Kimoshino]

thank you :) hopefully i will learn more about how to warm up and cool down a horse this summer!

[rubysoho]

please e-mail me if you have any questions. I've been working with hoses for over 10 years now so I can hopefully help you out. My name is Nicole and my e-mail is NF52568@appstate.edu (it is my college addy).

[slinkybink]

I'm new to the horse board here, so I don't know whatever previous "fight" that must have occurred. I hate it that there isn't a "proper" instructor to teach you......it is beneficial for sure. I was lucky enough to have a place to go to, to learn, when I was young. However, no, you don't HAVE to have formal instruction, as long as you are researching and reading everything you can to learn on your own. Even though I already knew about horses, I bought the book "Horses for Dummies". It's NOT for dumb people, it's by the publishers that create all of the "Dummies" books. It is REALLY informative. Doesn't so much teach you how to ride, but teaches of horse care. This IS very important if you want to be a good rider/owner. The "ground" work of a horse is more important the the riding work. With formal instructors to guide me.......I started out on the ground. We weren't allowed to ride until we knew how to groom, pick a hoof, tack up.....etc. All of this knowledge allows you to be a better prepared rider. The book I'm suggesting, will give you this background.

Please don't tell me, "Bite Me". Like I said, I don't know what has gone on before I came here......but, I'm sure, things were probably said to try and help you. Name calling is pointless. Gets nobody anywhere. We are all here, because we love horses. ;)