What to expect at my first lesson?
- Leann
- Jun 15, 2014
- 2 min read
For those of you getting excited about taking your first riding lesson with us soon, here are a few things you should know ahead of time!
Most riding lessons geared toward beginners aim to teach more than just how to do the actual riding. Your instructors, want to make sure you learn how to do all the basic things needed to handle and ride a horse on your own... as if we weren't there. That includes how to safely lead, tie, groom, and saddle your own horse. And yes, this does mean you need to practice carrying and lifting a saddle and doing whatever dirty work is needed!
Each riding lesson will introduce basic safety while handling your horse from the ground - not just while mounted. It's also important to learn how to check your equipment for basic safety.
Most riding lessons last about an hour so it's reasonable to spend almost half of that time actually mounted and riding your horse. At Riding 4 Life a typical lesson can include catching your horse from their pen, tying them at the hitching rail, brushing and saddling your horse, leading your horse to the mounting block and completing a safety check... all before you are officially riding your horse.
Near the end of your lesson you will also dismount, return to the hitching rail, and untack your horse as well. There is a lot to learn about horses in order to enjoy them safely after all.
Once you are mounted, depending on your balance and physical ability on a horse, it may take several lessons before you are able to ride independently. We often use a long lead line to maintain some control of a horse while a new rider practices balancing in the saddle and establishing a stable position at the walk and jog before releasing them to the larger arena. We also make sure a new rider can easily stop and turn their horse on their own.
Horsemanship is one of the most challenging disciplines we have ever participated in so don't be surprised if it requires some time and serious effort to feel like you're getting somewhere. The rewards, however, are pretty tremendous.