Riding the 1st time! Any advice?

[lovechick]

This is soo exiting, I volunteer at this equestrian center, and now I'm taking lessons there also, yesterday was my 1st time ever to ride on a horse, and I loved it!!! It was the best experience ever, I absolutely love horses! It was kinda scary at first, legs shaking.. ha ha But then 10 minutes into it I felt like I was born in the saddle!:cheer2: It was so cool!
Anywayz my question is should I take any precations as a begginer rider? The instructor is really nice and she explains pretty much everything, but is there something else I should know?

Thanx for all the info!!!:musicman: :queen:

[Shemmyboy]

Learn how to fall of and do an emergency dismount. don't use stirrups yet and ask your instructor if you really have to use reigns yet. what bridle do you use? does it have a bit? if it has a bit and the techer says you have to use reigns than be soft on the horse's mouth. lunging is just about the best thing now.
good luck!
Shemmyboy (I'm actually a girl, if you're wondering. My pony's a boy.)

[lovechick]

thanks for reply, i've been riding for about 2 months now, its great!!! Yes I use the bridle with a shaffle bit, the horse responds ok, well the one I ride is lazy one, but I tried riding this other one, and when I was doing small jump, he wouldnt go, so I kicked him a bit, but since he's so sensitive, he jumped way up high, and I almost lost my control, lol.... but it was fun, then we went bareback riding, its hard, especially when I try to do little trot...lol... Ok gotta go bye!!

[Shemmyboy]

COOL!!!!!

[Nevertoomany]

The best way to ride is bareback.

You get a good feel for your horse and learn to sit properly and balance.

I start all my students off bareback .

And learning how to fall off is VERY important. For starters you won't be afraid when you DO come off -- and you will -- we all do . And if you are prepared you are less likely to get hurt.

I start to giggle when my gelding trots because it is so strong there is NO WAY to stay on bareback. He knows this so he will start out slowly and the get stronger till I am laughing so hard I start to fall. Then he comes back down to a walk till I get myself together.

I am going to get hurt doing this one of these days as the fall is longer than it used to be and i'm a lot older than I used to be. LOL

But riding my mare bareback is like sitting on a sofa and she takes it as a personal insult if you come off!

[lovechick]

I am so freaked about falling of the horse, I immidietly see myself all bruised, going to the hospital, I dunno why, I guess you could get serriously hurt if you do extreme things, not me...

lol, the 1st time i did bareback, this horse I rode is kinda bony, and his spine is kinda sticking out(nothing is wrong with him) but this lady said"oh youre gonna love it, his back is very wide" and I'm like "right" so I get on, and its soooo uncomfortable, I'm like(in my head) "Lady are you kidding?" but it was ok, I still like to ride him...