If you enjoy viewing people ride horses, you are probably the type of person who wants to try riding for them self.  If that’s the case, you may be somewhat surprised to lear that is a pleasurable to spend some spare time.  Horse riding, should teach you to experience what beautiful creatures horses are, as well as help you learn a skill which very few people have been able to master.  Spending time around a variety of horses, and having the chance to ride them, is something that doesn’t compare to many different ones available.  When you are ready to begin your horse riding experience, you must begin by taking some simple steps.

Step One – Riding Basics

As with several endeavors, you need to first learn the basics before taking up horse riding lessons.  You need to do your home work as well as perform any due diligence to find out what will be necesary, before you sign up for any type of horseback lesson program.  The first consideration is whether you are really interested in horseback, or just enjoy watching these wonderful animals.  As an example, horseback riding is not an activity for the timid and there is some risk involved.

Riding Camp or Private Lessons

For a novice, your best two choices are to begin with group lessons at a horseback riding camp, or invest in individual lessons.  Each one has its benefits and disadvantages.  Group lessons are usually less expensive, but you will not get as much instruction as in a private lesson.  Individual almost always cost more, but you will be able to learn much more, especially with an experienced trainer.  You could even be better off attempting both group and individual lessons to see which is best for you.

Research

You can use the Internet to do your homework, and just learn the different tips for horse riding and of course always remember the different safety precautions that you should take when horseback riding.

Horse riding is a wonderful activity that anyone should attempt at least one time, and if you have a child this is something that you are will want to consider getting them into.

Whichever path you pick, remember that you are learning horseback riding to enjoy yourself, not as a job.

To find out more about horse riding lessons as well as learn more about horse riding, please visit our horse riding site, where you will find information, tips, and products.

The Cheltenham Festival is one of the most prestigious events in the UK and each year thousands of people flock to the tiny town to witness one of the most sort after horse racing events the world has ever seen.

So, what are the best reasons to head over to the Cheltenham Festival this year? One great reason is Cheltenham Festival Hospitality which does come at a price. However, it is completely worth every penny. The hospitality at Cheltenham Festival is absolutely brilliant and you are pampered like a true VIP from the moment you arrive to the moment you leave. You will be served exquisite wine and food and have your every need catered for.

The roar of the crowd as the tapes rise for the first race of the Cheltenham Festival each year tells you everything you need to know – 12 months of waiting for this festival are over and people are more than eager to see their bets win them back some money. Total prize money for the racers in Cheltenham Festival for this year is an astonishing £3.67M.

Another fantastic reason to come over to the Cheltenham Festival is the scenery. The Needham & Needham structure at the Cheltenham Festival is located in the small town between Keith Prowse facility and the glass fronted boxes. It truly is a unique place to visit and immerse yourself in the great atmosphere. There really is nothing as better as this tremendous festival.

If you can you should try and get a private box for yourself. This is another great reason to go to the Cheltenham Festival. Each box at the Cheltenham Festival has amazing sliding glass doors which open onto a communal balcony overlooking the magnificent course. This is a great way to entertain executive guests or simply just to have a good day out.

As with any type of technology, English saddle manufacturers continue to strive to enhance and improve on their saddles and tack. Different companies offer different English saddle brands with options for riders from the Pessoa saddles that are treated with vegetable dyes and natural oils to become completely waterproof to the Bates, Collegiate and Wintec line of saddles that have adjustable gullet systems that allow these saddles to be custom fit to any horse.

The specialized systems can also work between these brands, making them a good choice for riders with different types of saddles in their tack room. These advances have improved comfort for both the horse and rider as well and higher performance. Panels that don’t need re-stuffing, found in most Courbette saddles, ensures that you can use your tack on different horses while still maintaining that great fit to eliminate rubbing and irritation for the horse, regardless of the width of his or her back.

The explosion of the popularity of synthetic material in English saddles, away from leather, has had a major impact. Wintec saddles are the leader in synthetic saddles with all English saddle types now available in durable, waterproof and easy fitting options. These saddles are great for training and also for novice riders and children since they are lightweight and very low care types of saddles. Not all Wintec synthetic English saddles are cheap, but they are high quality and very durable, an excellent investment for novice and experienced riders alike.

The saddle makers who have been areound awhile are experiencing a surge in popularity in both general purpose and competitive saddles. Albion saddles have long been a European and British English saddle, but are now found around the world. These saddles come in a wide selection of styles including jumping, close contact and dressage. They are leather, very high quality and designed to allow weight to be equally distributed across the horse’s back, ideal for dressage, equitation and jumping where balance and stability for both horse and rider is essential. Advances in available technology enable saddle designers to really study the points of pressure a saddle places on a horse at rest and in a variety of movement and motion.

Learning to ride is exciting, but it can also be confusing. Which riding style is best suited for the type of riding you’d like to do. A good place to start is by talking to experienced riders. Find out what they like about each style and see which fits you the best. In reality both types of riding require practice and time to learn the basics, however if you want to become a competitive rider you are going to need to put in many, many hours in the saddle to become proficient in either style.

If you are going to compete, knowing what you want to do in the competition is essential before choosing a riding style. If you want to dress formally and compete in dressage, hunter seat, English equitation, saddle seat, competitive jumping, eventing or cross country jumping events you will only have the option of using the English riding style. But if you’re the more casual type who prefers a comfy pair of jeans, a cowboy hat and loping the trails or competing in the myriad of western competitive events, then the western riding style is for you. You can ride for pleasure on the trails with either style of riding.

Both the events and the riding styles are different with English and Western riding. Riding the western style is a more casual style designed to allow the rider to ride for hours and hours over varied terrain. The stirrups are longer and the rider sits deep in the seat. Western riding also has the reins held in one hand, leaving the other hand free for using a rope. English riding has shorter stirrups with riders more erect to slightly forward sitting, posting in motion to the horse and typically holding the reins in both hands. Some English riding will require double reins, one set to direct the motion of the horse and one set to control the head position. English riding also has several different styles including hunt seat, dressage, saddleseat, and endurance. Each of these disciplines has their own style of tack – a dressage saddle, jumping saddle, all purpose saddle, and so on.

Whichever style you choose, proper safety equipment, especially a helmet should be part of your routine. Proper safety equipment is a must for all junior and novice riders. When you select a style you can always decide to learn the other style at a later date, after all your horse can certainly learn another style, but learning both at the same time is overwhelming and can lead to confusion.

The first time that you have to put your tack on a horse it may seem a bit confusing and difficult, but it is actually a very simple routine that is quick to establish and helps the horse understand what is happening. Having your horse secured with a set of crossties that fasten to the halter from opposite sides at about normal head height is really helpful as this leaves the rider with both hands to work with the tack.

Before putting on the tack it is important to quickly examine your horse and make sure there are no injuries or leg or foot problems. Run your hand down each of your horse’s legs. Pick our each hoof, checking for stones and any soreness. This will give you a chance to check over your horse’s foot for any problems that could cause lameness under saddle. After checking the legs and hooves it is time to brush the back and sides. Give your horse a good scrub with a stiff brush to get rid of all of the built up hair and dirt, especially around the saddle area where it can cause particular irritation.

Since the halter is securing the horse to the crossties, you may want to start with the saddle. Place the saddle pad or blanket straight down on the horses back, just on the highest point of the withers and slide it straight back a fraction of an inch to position it. This ensures that the hair is all flat, if you have to reposition the blanket lift it off the horse, smooth down the hair again with a brush or your hand, then start over.

With the saddle pad or blanket in place, pick up the saddle with your left hand on the horn or pommel and the left hand under the back skirt or the cantle, depending on the saddle type. Make sure you’ve secured the stirrups before placing the saddle. Then place the saddle in the center of the pad just back of the withers. The saddle should be placed in the natural depression that occurs on a horse’s back. If you have a western style saddle, reach under the horse’s belly and grasp the cinch, make sure it is straight and tighten the saddle from the left side. With an English saddle you may need to walk around to the right side and affix the cinch, then move back around to the left to tighten it.

The bridle is typically the most challenging as some horses will throw their head or refuse to take the bit. This can be corrected by slow and gentle movements, so always move with a purpose and don’t become excited or angry with the horse. Unbuckle the throatlatch and noseband if there is one, then standing in the same direction as the horse on the left side, hold the bit in your left hand and the top of the bridle in your right. Gently bring the top of the bridle up to the top of your horse’s head. This will position the bit just below his lips. Gently insert the bit by raising the top up and over the ears. Position both the bit and the headstall in the right place, then latch the throatlatch and noseband. Avoid banging the horse’s teeth with the bit as this will hurt.

Mounting and dismounting should be done in a smooth, fluid manner without excessively yanking on the horse. Hold the reins in your left hand while grabbing a hanful of mne in your right hand. Using the right hand to hold the stirrup, place your left foot in the stirrup, swing your body up and your right leg up and over the back of the horse, gentle sitting down into the saddle. Put the right foot in the right stirrup and you are all ready to go.