My Lil Tack Shop

"Basic Riding - Before You Mount Your Horse"

By Ron Petracek

Most people view riding as cutting cattle,

galloping over an open range or serious

competition in jumping or other events. Before any

of that can happen one must master the basics.

You're facing a large animal with power, big teeth

and an instinct of self preservation above all

else. The fear of sitting on this should be

tempered with the confidence that most horses do

not want to hurt people. Communicating with the

animal is not the same as with another human or

with a dog or other creature. The horse is "wired"

uniquely. Respect him for his ability to take

pieces out of an opponent, for the power that can

crush a threat to his life and the speed to flee a

dangerous situation - respect, don't fear.

Remember that with a little understanding we can

temper those tendencies for our benefit. Being

fearful instead of a leader he needs means he's

the leader - and many horses don't want to be! So

they misbehave, someone gets hurt and the horse is

blamed.

Instead approach him with the knowledge that in

the wild world he was created to be food, and an

appreciation that despite that he allows us to

drape equipment on him and ride him! Watch your

actions to keep him comfortable. So often a rider

gets in the horse's way...and creates a problem

where there was none.

Get on safely. Wear shoes or boots with enough of

a heel that your foot doesn't slide through.

Prepare yourself. These exercises will seem silly

- but they will help you!

Stretch your legs out. Use a solid fence board -

raise each leg individually as if you are going to

step up on the fence. Brace your body and gently

lean forward...don't "bounce" or lean all the way

to the fence at once...this stretches the muscles

in your upper leg. A few of these on each side can

make a big difference.

Take a 2X4 or 4X4 board and place it on the ground

in a level area. Place your toes and ball of the

foot on the board, with your heels on the ground.

In sets of 10 to start, then build up to 25 over a

few weeks, raise yourself up, then ease back down

- this stretches and strengthens the leg and,

further, "teaches" the leg automatic heels down.

When you get on the horse your leg is then

automatically in the position to cue him with your

leg, and is less likely to bounce against him when

you don't intend to kick him.

On your board stand on it solidly...arms at riding

position, and work up to 10 squats. Slowly lean to

each side, front and back, and back up. This

positions the body for automatic balance. If the

horse does spook your body can more easily adapt,

absorb the spook and stay in the saddle rather

than on the ground. The fall from a 4X4 isn't

nearly as hurtful!

Use a few solid blocks, the back of a trailer or

truck or another higher area for the last exercise

- ideally next to a post with a hay twine. The

object is to, with your left leg, raise yourself

up to the surface in one step, with minimal pull

on the hay twine. While this may seem silly - that

higher surface is your "stirrup" and the line is

the reins - you don't want to pull on the reins

(or the horse's mouth) but can grab the post (or

saddle horn or mane). An old manual said a real

horseman can mount a horse without the girth being

on the saddle, and while that is a challenge that

can be a goal with today's tall horses that

sometimes isn't so easy! For those of us who are

"vertically challenged" getting on a 16.2 hand

horse means a patient horse, practice and

sometimes a step or hill!

These exercises can be done, quickly, as a warm up

before getting on each ride. They'll help you

physically do the task at hand, and further help

the horse to do his job.

Having a healthy horse to ride is important, but

you can work on riding long before mounting up!

Exercises to increase balance and leg will make it

easier on both you and the horse.

Disclaimer: Equine training can be a hazardous

activity which may subject the participants to

possible serious injury. My Lil Tack Shop &

, their associates and other

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instruction and techniques that may not be

suitable for everyone. No warranty is given

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instructions, and techniques to you or other

individuals acting under your instructions.