Professional Horse Riding Lessons California Offers Begin With The Basics For Children And Adults

By Mattie Knight


Children as young as four can take equestrian classes. They will be mounted on ponies that are suitable in size. Horses and ponies are measured in height at the withers in increments of four inches. The withers is the place where the neck meets the back. A hand is equal to four inches. For example, a pony can be thirteen hands high and a tall horse can be seventeen hands high. Most horse riding lessons California provides will teach this to all beginners.


A lesson for that child will ordinarily last for a half hour. Children older than seven will take a one hour class. Both adults and children start by brushing and tacking up their mount. This includes brushing, putting the saddle blanket and pad on, then the saddle and bridle.

The riding instructions take up the major amount of time. When the lesson is over, the students untack their mount and sometimes take him to the barn or the pasture. A horse will enjoy having his back brushed after a lesson.

Clothing and helmet requirements must be respected. No person will ride unless he or she is wearing a helmet. Sure, those cowboy hats look glamorous, but, safety is more important than appearance. Pants or jeans are mandatory too. No shorts are acceptable. Shoes should have a heel at least an inch high. No tennis shoes are acceptable.

A riding instructor will take the time to evaluate each student for the purpose of placing him or her in the right class. Those with similar skills belong in the same class. Basic instructions include how to approach the mount while you are still on the ground. Hold out one hand with the palm down which is perceived 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.

Placing your left foot in the left stirrup of the saddle, you lift yourself up, swing your right leg over the saddle and put both feet in the stirrups. The reins are used to give signals to your mount. For example, to stop you pull back on the reins, but gently. Too much pressure may cause a horse to rear up on its hind legs.

Use the reins to signal the horse as to what you want him to do. To signal that you want to move forward, hold the reins loosely and shake them against the horses neck. Another signal for go is to make a clicking sound. Pulling back on the reins signals him to stop. Be careful not to pull back too hard as this may cause some horses to rear up.

Initially, lessons are conducted in an area that is enclosed. The instructor will teach new riders how to signal for a right turn and a left turn in addition to stopping and moving forward. The students will practice their reining skills until they do it naturally and are comfortable with controlling the horse. This is the first lesson for those learning to ride.




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