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Like many other sports, horseback riding gives many people a strong sense of self-confidence and accomplishment. For kids, learning to care for and tend to a horse helps develop a sense of responsibility; riding will teach them the meaning of commitment. Adults benefit from the exercise (without having to go to a boring spa), and escape from their usually hectic schedule.
According to Johanna Harris, publisher of the Equestrian Athlete, calories burned by equestrian activities are:
Equestrian Activity Cal/hr posting trot 420 sitting trot 450 canter 514 gallop 558 clean stalls 550
How long does it take to learn to ride?
That depends on your goals and natural ability. Discussing goals with your riding instructor is very important at the start. This will help your instructor design a lesson program for you.
When can my child start riding lessons?
Six to seven years of age is generally a reasonable age to start. Your child should have:
How do I find the right stable and instructor?
For as little as ten to twenty dollars, you can try an introductory lesson and see if you are comfortable on a horse and want to continue. Only after you are sure that horseback riding is not a passing fancy should you consider purchasing the necessary equipment and signing up for months of lessons. Choosing the right instructor is very important, to ensure that your riding is enjoyable and educational. Talk to people who ride or have children who ride. Every riding instructor has a different way of doing things. Schedule appointments with several different instructors in order to choose the one that best suits your objectives and personality. A good instructor is sensitive and understanding, shouldn't yell or try to intimidate you. If you observe or receive instruction like that, go somewhere else! Many stables allow prospective students to have a sample lesson to see if the horse and the instructor are a good fit. Don't be afraid to ask questions. Your first concern should be safety. Look for an instructor who focuses on the positive. When you're first starting out, you make a lot of mistakes. It doesn't help to be criticized for that. An instructor should encourage students when they do something well.
Most stables have private and group lessons available. Group lessons are good for beginners, who can observe the strengths and weaknesses of other riders and benefit from that. You may want to take a private to hone your skills from time to time, or if your schedule does not allow you to join a group lesson. Once you have chosen an instructor, the first lesson should be devoted to simply getting comfortable on the horse, not galloping around the ring. When examining a stable and an instructor, consider the following questions: Is safety a main concern? Are the lesson horses calm and easygoing? Do the other students look like they are having fun? Does the instructor offer solid, positive reinforcement to the riders?
Parents: an instructor should have no problem with you observing lessons. Take the time to watch closely while the instructor interacts with students and make sure your child feels comfortable before committing to lessons. In particular, try to observe a teacher who is teaching students the same age as your child. Watching a teacher work with teenage students won't tell you much about how well they interact with seven-year-olds.
What about riding instructor certification?
Certified instructors have demonstrated (to a self-appointed certifying organization's satisfaction) the ability to instruct their students in a safe, knowledgeable and professional manner. Certification does not necessarily mean an instructor will work well with all ages and/or skill levels. There are good non-certified instructors, just as there are bad certified instructors. When choosing an instructor, the evaluation and selection criteria described above are more important than the certification level of the prospective instructor.
Typically, group lessons cost about thirty dollars per hour. Private lessons are a little more expensive, averaging forty-five to fifty dollars per half hour. Some stables and instructors require payment in advance for a set number of lessons. Some offer a discount for payment in advance.
When it is time to purchase riding equipment, look to your instructor for guidance. There are many fancy riding outfits available, but most students, especially beginners, will do fine wearing comfortable pants and a shirt. Every beginning student needs a safety-approved helmet and good lace-up boots. It is important for boots to have a strong heel to prevent the rider's foot from slipping through the stirrup. A basic safety helmet can be purchased for around fifty dollars while the traditional black velvet helmet is about eighty dollars. Make sure your helmet meets ASTM standard #F1163-95 and is SEI certified. Click here to see if your helmet is on the SEI approved list. The instructor should provide all the other supplies you will need, such as saddle, bridle, etc.
Some people say the hardest part about learning to ride is the ground! Falling is definitely a concern for many prospective students. Thanks to modern safety equipment, severe injuries are relatively uncommon. When students are just starting out, falling off the horse is a reality they will have to face. Many people never fall off, but you should be prepared for an occasional bump or scrape. A recent study of 121,274 horse-related injuries treated at hospital emergency rooms, revealed that only 1% occurred at a riding school facility. Many instructors teach beginner-riders how to do an emergency dismount safely, so if the student "falls off" they do so in as safe and non-harmful way as possible.
It is not necessary to own a horse to get full enjoyment out of riding. Families who live in the city or in subdivisions, simply don't have room to keep a horse on their property. Boarding a horse at a stable can cost more than many people can afford. Besides owning a horse, there are other ways for people to have access to horses and riding equipment. Enrolling in a lesson program that offers occasional trail rides and other activities is the least expensive. Many stables will allow students to ride in exchange for helping out at the barns, something many students are eager to do. Leasing is another option. Larger stables will have lease horses available for people who aren't sure about committing to purchasing a horse.
What Should I consider if I buy my own horse?
Yellow pages, ads in children's magazines and local papers. Ask at your local tack shop and look over their bulletin board. If you are a resident of Maryland, the Equiery is a great resource. The inside back page lists riding facilities by county. There is also a directory of instructors. Pick up a free copy at a MD tack shop, or click here.
For more tips on learning to ride from The Equiery, click here.
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