going horseback riding next week any suggestions?
March 6th, 2010
I don’t have any horses of my own, but my respit care worker knows a lady who owns and breeds Arabians. And she invited us to come out to her ranch and go riding its supposed to be something like hippotherapy. Its been about 6 years since i’ve ever been on a horse i haven’t ridden since that trail ride will i be sore? What should i do to prepare for it?
And we’ll be using western saddles i believe
i’am about 6 pounds overweight but i’ve been trying to lose it
How fun! I’m jealous! I used to ride but it’s been a few years.
My first suggestion is to make sure you wear a helmet even if no one else is. Yep, you’ll feel like a geek but it’s worth it. A regular pedal bike helmet can work.
Yep, you’ll be sore, especially if you’re riding Arabs. I love Arabs, but they’ve got an animated gait and spirit.
I personally find I’m always more sore on a Western saddle than a dressage saddle, but I learned to ride English from the get-go and did most of my riding in an arena as opposed to trails.
I guess my best advice is to stop frequently, dismount and then walk a bit. It’s hard to know when you’ve reached your limit when you’re still on the horse. It’s when you get off you know how much you hurt. 
March 6th, 2010 at 5:14 pm
You probably will be a bit sore afterwards, because you will be using muscles that you aren’t used to using. To prepare, just make sure you stretch before you get on. When you are riding, do your best to be calm and relaxed, because if your muscles are tense when you ride they will be sore afterwards. Afterwards, just walk around a fair bit when you get off and this should help relieve the pain.
Hope this helps! And have fun
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6 years of riding, baby
March 6th, 2010 at 5:55 pm
You will most likely be sore. To prepare I would suggest streaching and afterwards an epson salt bath. Have fun!
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March 6th, 2010 at 6:18 pm
Since you havent ridden in awhile you will most likely be sore, especially if it will be a long trail ride.if you can get your legs used to it slowly, try flexing the muscles that you use in your legs. Also when you go riding if you get to pick, try to pick a calm smooth horse, then you wont have to be using your legs too much for balance.
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March 6th, 2010 at 7:08 pm
I hate to tell you, there’s not really anything you can do to prevent the soreness when you use muscles that aren’t used to being worked in these conditions!!! Sorry. You can use a linament for muscle soreness such as ‘bio-freeze’ afterward and do some stretches beforehand, but as for the soreness that is inevitable……just enjoy your ride and hope the soreness is worth the enjoyment! It depends on how long you ride how sore you will be…..also make sure your stirrups are adjusted to fit you and if possible, sit in some saddles before you ride so you can choose one that is the best fit for you, if this is an option! Have fun!
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Owner and Trainer
March 6th, 2010 at 7:33 pm
Yes you will be sore just try stretching before and after, and maybe a hot bath or shower.
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March 6th, 2010 at 7:49 pm
How fun! I’m jealous! I used to ride but it’s been a few years.
My first suggestion is to make sure you wear a helmet even if no one else is. Yep, you’ll feel like a geek but it’s worth it. A regular pedal bike helmet can work.
Yep, you’ll be sore, especially if you’re riding Arabs. I love Arabs, but they’ve got an animated gait and spirit.
I personally find I’m always more sore on a Western saddle than a dressage saddle, but I learned to ride English from the get-go and did most of my riding in an arena as opposed to trails.
I guess my best advice is to stop frequently, dismount and then walk a bit. It’s hard to know when you’ve reached your limit when you’re still on the horse. It’s when you get off you know how much you hurt.
References :
March 6th, 2010 at 8:25 pm
you use every muscle in your body when you horse ride thats if they teach you properly make sure they show you how to hold your reins right as there is aknack to it grip with your knees you should be able to hold paper between your knees and the horse if it drops your not gripping hard enough so grip hard wear your stirrups long that way you have more leg around the horse making it harder for the horse to throw you or fall of basicly you have to become one with the horse take an apple or polos first to soften it up dont use a whip horses loose respect for you if you hit them and a real rider doesn’t need one thats what your legs are for you will discover muscles you never had lol dont show any fear whatsoever horses are very phycic and pick up on it straight away if you fall off get straight back on or the horse will see it as a weakness and you wont get on one again but if you keep your stirrups long you should be fine if it bucks lean back same when going down hill if it rears lean forward same when going up hill thats why the stirrups are important if you ride short like a jockey and the horse bucks your a sitting catapult if you trot you have to rise up and down in your stirrups well its more forward and back anymore questions email me at catherinefindlay1@yahoo.co.uk hope this helped
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28 yrs expieriance horse trainer for 10
March 6th, 2010 at 9:15 pm
Wear a helmet please
Hippotherapy horses are great, but they’re still horses and are therefore prone to doing silly things.
Stretch before and after you ride to help work out stiffness.
Have a great time!
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March 6th, 2010 at 9:23 pm
Kick the Horse in the Sides As Hard As You can , So that You
can take off like A bolt of Lightning .. This will help You lose
that 6 pounds That You Need ..
Best take them Jell insoles , and stand on Your saddle , You
will be Mc Jellen then .. An while You Are At it take that cat
You don"t want Around for A Nice ride , and dump it off several
houses Away …, Wtf , do You think ??
What do You really Plan to be when You grow up .. And why
should I believe You ??
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You got one Mean streak in Ya ,
Seems that is what You Prefer ..
Take A taste of Your own Medicine ..
I"d rather A dead Horse colon than U Any Day ..
Of course A Miricle might Help , "If You Believe ..
TwoMenAndATruck
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