What you will need when starting to learn horse riding

Horse riding is a popular pastime with many young children, many go on to take up horse riding in one of the many forms of professional horse riding whether that is horse racing, dressage or any other equestrian event. In the UK it is one of the most popular sports with members of the royal family even competing at an Olympic level!

Learning to ride a horse can be tricky though, it can take a few lessons to gain the knowledge and skills required in order to control the horse. It can also be a very dangerous sport as many people have been seriously injured after falling or being thrown from the saddle. It’s important then that for anyone wanting to take up horse riding they should get the right equipment and safety measures before getting in the saddle.

First of all you will need a riding helmet, a lot of movie stars are shown not wearing one but even professionals will wear a helmet as horse riding can be unpredictable and dangerous. People learning to ride should get a helmet that is both secure and comfortable to wear. Riding helmets can come in different colours which could make children more interested in wearing one as they can choose their favourite colour.

One other safety measure some riders wear, especially horse racing jockeys is a body protector, these look like bullet proof vests or under armour that American football players wear. The purpose of these is vital in horse racing as if the jockey falls off they could get trod on by the other horses. If you are learning to be a jockey or any other sport where there are a lot of other horses then a body protector may be what you need.

There are lots of other equipment specific to the horse such as saddles and bridles which you should be able to loan from your stables or riding centre. One part that is very important safety wise is the riding boot or shoe. The most important part of the shoe is how easily you can remove it from the stirrups on your saddle, in emergencies you will have to get your feet out of the stirrups in case of the horse’s weight falling on to your ankle and leg which could cause an injury.

Make sure you get the right safety equipment when learning to ride and you should be able to have a safe and enjoyable experience on horse back.

Horse equipment and accessories need not be incredibly expensive, buying horse tack online can save money as well as seeing a wide range of choice too.

Alaska Wildlife from Equitrekking

Equitrekking ( www.equitrekking.com ) host Darley Newman narrates this video about Alaska wildlife. The beautiful scenery and abundant animals that can be seen in Alaska on the Kenai Peninsula, including bald eagles, puffin, orca, sea otters, Dall Sheep and more are seen in this video which includes footage from the Kenai Fjords National Park, Denali and Seward Highway. Purchase the DVD at http Learn more about the Equitrekking TV show at www.equitrekking.com and about equestrian vacations at http

Spirited Fun For Kids At Horseback Riding Camp

There’s no reason for a child to spend their summers home, alone and bored. With the number of different specialty camps available in most communities and nearby, the options are almost unlimited. Equine lovers, for example, tend to delight in the type of fun horseback riding camps deliver.

These camps can be found in just about any community where horses are also at home. The options for horseback riding camps range from overnight venues or even daytime programs for those who live nearby. The extent of offerings at these camps will vary from location to locations, but some generalizations can be made.

Whether a child is flown out to a camp in the Wild West to enjoy intense riding training or they visit a ranch at home, the following activities are generally included in horseback riding camps:

* Basic horse handling. To ride a horse, a child needs to understand the standard tack, how it works and the proper techniques for handling and working with the gentle giants. By the end of most camp sessions, youth fully understand how to prepare a horse for riding and how to take care of the equipment involved.

* Basic riding lessons. Beginners often flourish in these hands-on camps that offer lots of basic instruction through direct riding. Youth typically learn the basic commands, riding postures and more. This is generally done in a fun, but controlled and disciplined, environment.

* Novice, advanced lessons. Youth who know their way around horses can still benefit from these camps. Many offer different levels of training so the more advanced riders don’t feel too far ahead of the pack. These lessons might include more complex riding maneuvers, such as jumping, racing and more.

* Basic horse care. Part of taking care of a horse involves work. Kids will not escape this aspect, as it is important for ensuring a steed is well cared for and remains healthy. Lessons here might include such things as grooming, basic animal behavior, basic first aid and even stall cleaning. Make sure the kids understand a few “chores” likely will go along with the deal.

* Teamwork. To truly ride a horse and do it correctly, children will learn the importance of working together with each other and the horses they are assigned to perform tasks and learn the tricks of the trade as far as riding is concerned.

* Other camp fun. While horses are the main attraction, these camps often offer much more than just riding and cleaning out stalls. Other activities often include sports, swimming, arts and crafts, hiking and more. There’s no reason to think the entire trip will be spent on the back of a horse or in the barns. Yes, this will be a big part of it, but that’s not all, especially at overnight camps where a whole host of fun programs tend to take place after the sun goes down.

Horseback riding camps are ideal locations for children who have a passion for these animals. Teaching them more about proper handling, riding technique and care, these camps can be found from coast to coast.

Find the Best Horse Riding Tips – Learn How to Ride a Horse

When learning to ride a horse you always want to start by picking the best horse for you because in many cases you find a horse that look good but it may not be tame enough for you to ride. You want to remember that the horse has a mind of its own and it is important that you get a horse that you get a long with from the beginning. You are not going to change the way a horse acts so make sure that you find a horse that works with your needs as a rider. It will be easier for you to learn to ride on a tame horse so find one that is gentle.

How to: Ride a Horse

It is a good idea to learn a horses instincts and how they behave in certain situations because you do not want to be out riding and get into a bad situation and then you do not know what to do. You should always learn about your horse before you take it out riding. Also you need to take the advise of your instructor because they have the experience you need to become a good horse rider. They may ask you to do some things that may be out of your comfort zone but it is important for your safety to learn form them.

Advice for: Horse Riding Tips

Remember that when you are learning to ride a horse it is important that you first pick the right horse for you. Next you need to make sure you understand how a horse operates before you go to ride so that you know when you might be in trouble and this way you can handle any situation.