| One cannot simply jump onto a horse for the first time | | | | safety blanket. |
| and gallop away into the sunset-at least not without | | | | Basic skills which will be taught in beginner horseback |
| injury. Horseback riding lessons are required for a | | | | riding lessons include the obvious stopping, starting and |
| person to build up the skill and the confidence | | | | turning. Skills quickly advance past these necessities to |
| necessary to become a truly good rider. In order to | | | | other required skills. Riders must learn to guide a horse |
| learn any higher skills, whether it be show jumping or | | | | with not only hands and reins, but legs as well. This |
| barrel racing, a solid foundation is required. Beginner | | | | guidance with the legs will be essential in more |
| riding lessons are designed to teach new riders | | | | advanced levels to perform movements such as half |
| balance, basic skills and confidence. | | | | passes, leg yielding and other sideways movements. |
| Balance is a fundamental element required in learning | | | | Leg pressure is also necessary in learning to create |
| to ride a horse. Without a good seat, further skills | | | | bend in a horse-a rather fundamental principal. In |
| cannot be developed. In learning to balance on a horse, | | | | beginner horse riding lessons, one will also be taught |
| one will learn to move with the horse instead of | | | | the basics of form which apply in most fields of riding. |
| against it. The natural reaction is to brace one's self | | | | One must sit straight, neither slouching on the tailbone, |
| and tense their muscles in response to a horse's panic | | | | nor perching forward. Legs should be stretched long, |
| or even just the oddity of its movement underneath a | | | | with heels down. Hands should be down, just off of |
| person. This is a matter of time and practice. Often | | | | the saddle, and elbows held close to the body. Eyes |
| times, an instructor will lead or lunge a horse with a | | | | should always be up and looking where one wants |
| new student on its back. The rider can then take their | | | | their horse to go. |
| hands off of the reins and saddle, release their stirrups | | | | Confidence is a key factor in advancing beyond the |
| and truly feel the horse's movement. This is a | | | | basics. In beginner horse back riding lessons, one will |
| technique which many trainers employ when working | | | | learn to truly control a horse. Riders come away from |
| with those new to horse riding. Gripping the saddle is | | | | these lessons with a sense of pride and confidence |
| fine for pony rides, but in real riding, one needs to learn | | | | from the knowledge and skills they have gained. |
| sooner rather than later how to balance without this | | | | |