Comments on: I want to learn to ride horses but i don’t know where to start….?

By: Barreler

Barreler — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 00:17:59 +0000

Lessons. Lessons lessons lessons. I cannot even begin to tell you how important it is for every horse person to take lessons before getting there own horse.
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By: :)

:) — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 23:30:59 +0000

It depends on what type of riding you would like to do, if you want more fun with the horses try 4-H. If you want to eventually jump or something try English and there is also western. My suggestion is to google local barns to where you are and go visit them. Also if you have any friends that ride ask them! They way it happened to me was my mom googled horseback riding lessons in (my city) then we drove around and looked at them all to see what they were like. I hope this helps and you get to ride!
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experience

By: Yuri

Yuri — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 23:21:59 +0000

Take a look at some stables online, see what they charge, etc.
Then, when you find a couple you like, and can afford, call and set an appointment to have a "Tour" of the stables and watch a lesson or two.
If you decide you like how the horses are treated and how the teachers interact with students, go ahead and choose that stable for your lessons.
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By: Morgan Crazy Horse Lover :)

Morgan Crazy Horse Lover :) — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 22:58:59 +0000

Well, most people start by taking riding lessons at a nearby stable. You can find a barn by googling horse farms in whatever town you live in. You should find a few places that sound good. Call them and set up a lesson, and if you like it, you should continue lessons. Eventually you can start leasing horses, and even showing in maybe a 4-h club, or an equestrian team, or just go to open horse shows. And later, you can buy your own, but you should take a ton of lessons first.
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Used to be in the same situation.

By: Cassie

Cassie — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 22:44:59 +0000

Look at the CHA website or other riding instructor certification program’s sites for a list of certified riding instructors. These instructors will have had some supervision and taken a test on basic first aid, safety, professionalism, etc. and will have proven they meet or exceeded the programs standards. You may be shocked at how much more their instruction may be than, say, an instructor you find off craigslist, but you will get what you pay for. Look for full time instructor/ trainers, watch some of their lessons, meet their horses, and see how you all get along, and check to make sure things are clean, orderly, and professional. The horses should also look healthy and happy to be there.

Also, it will be worth paying for individual lessons at first before moving into a group lesson program, should you decide to do so in order to save some money. For good riding instruction, you should be looking at paying anywhere from $30-$50 an hour for a riding instructor teaching beginning students, and instructors teaching more advanced students often charge that price for just a half hour lesson.

When I have new students arrive at my barn, they do need to wear boots. However, I don’t care whether they are riding boots, rubber rain boots work just fine, and we have helmets in all sorts of sizes.
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I am a CHA certified riding instructor at Four Winds Riding Center in Gig Harbor, WA.

By: randomstuff

randomstuff — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 22:39:59 +0000

as everyone said take lessons or if you know some one who has horses or ponies that could teach you
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By: Emily

Emily — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 22:07:59 +0000

how old are you? if your a child then horse riding lessons are expensive, talk to your parents about it and see what they say. if your an adult and your prepared to pay weekly for riding lessons, call a local riding stables and see if they have any spare lessons.
How long do you want your lessons to be?
An hour private is most the expensive
Then Half an hour private and an hour group are usually about the same.
Then half an hour group.

Personally, when i first started i liked group lessons best as horses by themselves can sometimes spook (which is unlikely in a riding school, but you never know) however not i own horses i prefer going into the school by myself.

You need to be prepared to accept the risks that can be caused by riding. no riding school will have a 100% guarantee that nothing will happen to you, and although it is unlikely, accidents can happen and like humans, horses have their bad days. You will have to be prepared to take full responsibility for any accidents that happen, and understand that each time you fall off, you learn something new, and become a better rider

Hope this gives you all the information you need, and good look with your riding
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personal experience

By: Dj

Dj — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 21:41:59 +0000

1. Find a stable that has reasonable trainers and cost for lessons.
2. Read books so you have some knowledge so you don’t go in blind
3. Look up the required safety things you need. (helmet, safety vest, gloves, etc.)
4. What discipline you want to train in English or Western. (should go as #1)
5. Find a place where you are comfortable.
6. Have fun there is no way you can have fun if you don’t enjoy it.

Hope this helps

Oh ps don’t expect to be amazing at first it takes a lot of practice! Be confident in your self!
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By: Ru

Ru — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 20:56:59 +0000

First, read up on proper position and learn more about horses. If you go to the book store you can usually find some sort of "encyclopedia" entirely about horses. You can also find information online. Next, take lessons. If you can't find a place near you or its too expensive, you can ask a friend with horses if they can give you the basics, but of course it is always better to learn from someone experienced.
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By: ~Ridefree~

~Ridefree~ — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 20:11:59 +0000

Well i would try to take lessons. You could try to google it saying stables or riding lessons near (wherever you live), or maybe ask people around. It might be kind of pricey, most lessons are, but contact a stable and ask. You could even call around different places, and pick the one that appeals to you the most to go to. Good Luck, riding is really fun!
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