5 tips for a successful first horse ride
Have you decided to go horse-riding for the first time and are wondering about this activity? Look no further, we've put together our top tips to make sure you have a magical time on horseback. After the ride, all you'll want to do is get back on the horse as soon as possible!
Horse riding, also known as horse trekking, is a sport that allows you to explore trails on horseback. Ideal for people looking for both adventure in the great outdoors and a connection with the horse, horse riding doesn't necessarily require any previous riding experience! The aim of this leisure activity is not to make you a great rider, but simply to discover a place with your horse, at a pace that suits you.
However, if you've never been on a horse before, it's normal to have questions and perhaps even a few misgivings about your first ride. So don't worry, read our advice carefully and set off with peace of mind to try out this outdoor activity that's open to everyone.
1. Choose a good stable
To guarantee a successful first ride, it's important to choose the right stable. There are a number of criteria you need to take into account to ensure that the equestrian centre you choose is one you can trust. Firstly, the facility must attach great importance to caring for the horses. This should even be a priority. Secondly, the instructors must be well trained, qualified and experienced.
Don't hesitate to ask around by looking at reviews on the Internet. If you know people who ride, you can also ask them for recommendations. However, if you want to go horse-riding during your holiday and you don't know the area, your best bet is to choose a riding school on Manawa.com! Our partners have been carefully selected by outdoor activity experts, so they all offer optimal conditions for discovering the activity, with well-groomed horses and expert, enthusiastic instructors.
2. Wear suitable riding clothing
There's no need to invest in riding clothes for your first ride - you'll find everything you need in your wardrobe! The most important thing for comfort on horseback is to wear long, comfortable trousers. Leggings or jeans will do the trick. For your footwear, you'll definitely need closed shoes, ankle boots or trainers.
The rest of your outfit will depend entirely on the weather. As with a hike, you can add layers in winter or wear a simple T-shirt in summer. However, horse riding is done without a rucksack, so you can only bring the bare minimum with you (in your pockets, for example).
For your safety, you'll be equipped with a helmet, which is compulsory for all riding activities. You'll then be ready to get on your horse without stress and enjoy a successful first ride.
Tip: in winter, don't hesitate to wear gloves and woollen socks, because while your body can warm up with activity, your extremities will find it harder to do so!
3. Familiarise yourself with your mount before the ride
A first ride on horseback is a complete experience that involves more than just riding. Plan to arrive at least 30 minutes early to meet, care for and saddle your horse.
It is also important to know the basics of horse behaviour. There are specific ways of approaching a horse that must absolutely be respected, both for safety reasons and out of respect for the animal. For example, you should approach the horse from the side, calmly and without sudden movements. In addition, you must not pass behind the horse and you must not shout.
To strengthen your bond with your horse, take the time to groom him, i.e. brush him and familiarise yourself with his behaviour. Every horse is unique and what might be pleasant for one horse may not be so for another. But don't worry, the instructors at the riding centre know their horses and will be able to advise you if necessary.
4. Trust your qualified instructor
The stable's professional instructors are not only specialists in horses and riding, but above all they know the area around the riding centre and the behaviour of each horse. Their knowledge of these subjects will enable them to guide you throughout the experience. These specialists are there to guarantee your safety and share their passion for the world of horses with you, so don't hesitate if you have any questions to ask them! Of course, it's also vital to follow their instructions to ensure your safety and that of the horses.
Thanks to the supervision of our instructors, you should be able to enjoy your first horseback ride with complete peace of mind. You'll be in good hands as you discover this activity, and if you have any doubts, you can ask them for help. The instructors will explain to you how to stand in the saddle and how to hold your reins so that you can enjoy the activity to the full.
5. Make the most of the moment
You're off for your first horse ride! It's an experience to be enjoyed to the full, with just one objective: to enjoy yourself! Riding is not a riding lesson or a demanding discipline of the sport. All you have to do is familiarise yourself with your mount, enjoy the scenery and take advantage of your instructor's presence to answer any questions you may have about the equestrian world.
Horse riding is above all an opportunity to share a moment of complicity with your horse and explore sublime natural sites. Stay relaxed and enjoy your surroundings. Concentrate on discovering the different gaits and on the unique sensation of riding in a natural setting such as a forest, a mountain or a beach at sunset!
In conclusion, a first ride on horseback is above all a moment of discovery. To ensure that the ride is a success, it's important to choose your riding centre carefully, to go with experienced instructors and to familiarise yourself with the horses' behaviour before the ride. Appropriate clothing will also ensure that you have a comfortable and stress-free experience. Finally, don't forget to enjoy the ride!