What Is Involved in Learning to Ride?

Gradually you will progress on to improving your control in walk and trot through riding a variety of exercises in the school. You will also learn to ride without stirrups in sitting trot and eventually progress on to learning to canter. You will normally be moved from one group to another as you progress; this is to ensure that riders of similar standard are taught together.

 

Whilst adults may progress through the first stages of instruction quite rapidly, if they are reasonably fit and confident, it takes a great deal longer for children under the age of about 11 years to attain the basic skills. It is important that parents are aware of this, and do not become impatient as children's ability to control the horse is limited by their size. Building confidence gradually is also very important with children; it is also necessary for them to understand what is involved in controlling a large animal and realise the safety implications of learning to ride properly.

 

Even if you are not very fit when you start riding, the activity will help you to become more fit; indeed to become a competent rider requires a considerable degree of fitness and suppleness as it is an active and physically demanding pursuit.

 

When you have reached a certain level of competence in which you are able to control your horse, you will be able to go on escorted hacks (rides out) on the common and you will receive instruction in road safety. From this stage you may work in lessons on more advanced aspects of equitation including elementary dressage movements, lateral work and jumping.

 

It is important to realise that it takes many hours of practice in the saddle and perseverance to become a good rider. There is always an element of risk when riding; all horses can behave unpredictably at times, and the best way to minimise the risk and to get maximum enjoyment out of riding is to develop a deep and secure seat and the confidence to handle a variety of mounts.

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If you have little or no experience of riding, you will begin by riding in a novice group. Your lessons will be held in a fenced schooling area, and your horse may be led for part of the lesson. You will learn the correct basic position in which to sit on the horse, and also how to control the horse in walk, how to halt, turn and do rising trot.