| Misconceptions exist about horseback riding. This | | | | knowledgeable salesperson. Buy a new helmet so you |
| article aims to address the myths about riding, inform | | | | can be sure it hasn't been in an accident and that it isn't |
| you about how to find riding hats and other necessary | | | | too old and degraded to hold up in an accident. |
| equipment and answer your basic horseback riding | | | | MYTH: Riding Is Too Expensive |
| questions. | | | | You'll find you can come up with excuses not to do |
| MYTH: Riding Hats Aren't Necessary | | | | just about anything in life. Although horseback riding isn't |
| If you wear riding hats when you ride, follow safety | | | | inexpensive, there are ways to save money by taking |
| rules, and take lessons from a good school and | | | | group lessons or renting a horse tack as opposed to |
| teacher, then you reduce your chances for accidents. | | | | buying it. If you find you enjoy this sport, ask your |
| Yes, accidents always can happen. However, that is | | | | horse riding school if you can get a discount for |
| also true of other sports and disciplines. | | | | booking several sessions at once or taking group |
| When it comes time to select your school, ask for | | | | lessons. |
| recommendations from the school's other students. | | | | In addition, purchasing all of the horse riding equipment |
| You want to know you are picking a good place to | | | | isn't necessary until you know you want to keep riding. |
| learn. When you take your first lesson, you should be | | | | Your riding school should be able to rent or loan riding |
| given a calm horse and a confident and kind teacher | | | | hats until you buy one yourself. If you decide to |
| who can show you the ropes. If you don't get this, ask | | | | continue riding, do shop for riding hats as soon as you |
| for another horse or teacher. | | | | can. You don't want to take the risk of getting a worn |
| The most important thing, of course, is to be safe and | | | | out hat that isn't safe. |
| wear your horseback riding safety equipment. This | | | | MYTH: Horseback Riding Isn't Real Exercise |
| includes boots, certified riding hats and horseback riding | | | | If you've never been riding before, then I could see |
| pants. | | | | why you might say this. If you have been riding - and |
| When shopping for your riding hat or helmet, be sure | | | | had the aching muscles to prove it - then you know |
| to select one that is ASTM or SEI certified. Ideally, you | | | | well that horseback riding is a workout. You will work |
| will buy your hat from an in-person store, so you can | | | | muscles you did not know you had in order to move |
| try on the helmet and get advice from a | | | | with the horse and to keep yourself in the saddle. |