Beginning your horseback riding journey is an exciting endeavor, but where do you even start? At any age, there are so many factors to consider, like what kind of horseback riding you want to do, what events you might want to compete in, how much time you want to spend in lessons, it can be overwhelming. The good news is that there is a never ending surplus of information out there to help you get started with this new adventure, but if you’re really lost, here are five steps you can take right now to get started with horseback riding.
Step 1: Decide Your Discipline
Deciding what kind of horseback riding you want to do is a daunting task when there are so many options to choose from. The most common styles of horseback riding are Western and English, which each have their own massive subset of events to choose from. For example, if you choose Western, you can then decide if you want to learn how to compete in roping events, perform in western pleasure, or even specialize in vaulting which is essentially gymnastics on horseback.
Choosing the right discipline for you is important because the styles and lessons you will learn will be vastly different from each other, so it’s good to have a plan for what you hope to accomplish in your horseback riding journey.
The best first step you can take is researching what you might like to learn or eventually compete in. If you find more than one event you might enjoy, great! If you don’t find any that stick out right away, that’s okay, too. You can always reach out to the equestrian facilities near you and talk with your future instructors about your dilemmas across disciplines, they can help guide you to what would suit your personal preferences.
Step 2: How Far Are You Going?
There is no right or wrong answer to this, and you can always change your mind down the road, but an important factor when getting started in horseback riding is deciding how much time and money you want and are able to spend on the activity. For many people, especially young children, one lesson a week with the occasional special event sprinkled in is more than enough time spent with the horses. Perhaps you have other extra-curricular activities to participate in or other commitments to attend, and that’s perfectly okay.
If you think this is something you might like to take a step further and compete in, that can be a very different story. The amount of time spent training and the amount of money spent on lessons, equipment, travel expenses, and much more is not to be underestimated for the serious rider. Some children who compete in horseback riding events train up to 30-40 hours per week, not to mention the professional adult equestrians.
If you’re just starting out, you’re probably a long way from being a professional, and it might be worth considering starting off slowly with just one or two lessons per week to see how you like it. But if you’re already certain that the chaos of competition in horseback riding is for you and would prefer to just jump in with both feet, then congratulations! You live in a barn now.
Step 3: How Comfortable Are You?
Fun fact: horses poop. A lot. An important aspect of learning horseback riding is horsemanship and learning how to care for them. You will be expected to clean up their poop and pee, to muck out their stalls, to bathe them, and if you stick around long enough, likely perform some basic first aid. Horses are animals after all, and while they are incredibly intelligent and capable beings, potty training is not something they are typically taught.
If you’re someone who is maybe not used to animal care or who gets a little grossed out at the thought of what actually caring for them is going to entail, it’s worth taking into consideration if horsemanship is right for you. Deciding if all aspects of horseback riding are something you can learn to handle can be difficult without actually doing it, though, so it’s worth considering trying a few trial lessons at a barn before fully committing to the lifestyle.
Step 4: Find a Barn
So you’ve decided your discipline, your events, how much time and money you have, and you’re at least willing to consider that the benefits of horseback riding outweigh the poop factors. Then it’s time to decide where you will ride!
For some people, there may not be an abundance of options around you with only a few choices. You may realize you have to drive a bit further for your dream horseback riding lessons or be pleasantly surprised at the availability of horses on your doorstep.
The important thing is to do your research and don’t hesitate to reach out to any barns you’re considering. If you come across any future instructors who are unwilling to discuss your possibilities with you and help answer your questions, it may be worth shopping around a bit to find the barn, instructor, and horses that work for you. Looks can be deceiving, don’t settle for pretty pictures and fancy titles without considering what would actually be best for you as a rider.
Step 5: Start Riding!
What an incredible journey you’re about to embark on. No matter what you have decided to pursue, the bond between a horse and their rider is like nothing you will ever experience again. Wherever you are in the world and whatever you decide to learn, this will be one of the best, most important lessons of your life. Listen to your instructors, don’t be afraid to change it up if you find your current commitments aren’t for you, and most importantly: Have fun!
Frequently Asked Questions
- What type of horseback riding should beginners choose first?
This is entirely up to you! There are hundreds of different events and methods to choose from, the possibilities are endless! But if you’re feeling overwhelmed, just hop in a saddle and see where it takes you.
- How many horseback riding lessons should beginners take per week?
It’s pretty typical for beginners to have 1-2 lessons per week, but this is entirely up to you and your personal schedule.
- Is horseback riding expensive to get started?
Horseback riding does have some expenses, but when you’re just starting out the main investments will be in the lesson costs, the right clothing, boots, and maybe a helmet. There’s no need to jump into the most expensive aspect of horseback riding anytime soon, which is owning one!
- Do I need to compete in horseback riding to enjoy it?
There is no need to compete if you don’t want to, the most enjoyable part of horseback riding is being with the horse! Most riders much prefer just riding out into the countryside sunset with their horse, it doesn’t have to be a competition at all.
- How physically demanding is horseback riding?
Horseback riding can be very physically demanding, so make sure you’re taking care of yourself, too!
- What should I expect at my first horseback riding lesson?
If it’s your very first lesson, you most likely won’t get on right away. It’s important to learn how to groom, lead, care for, and handle a horse before you ever get in the saddle.