Frequently Asked Questions About Riding Lessons
Why should I ride?
Like many other sports, horseback riding gives many people a strong sense of
self-confidence and accomplishment. For kids, learning to care for and tend
to a horse helps develop a sense of responsibility; riding will teach them
the meaning of commitment. Adults benefit from the exercise (without having
to go to a boring spa), and escape from their usually hectic schedule.
How much exercise will I get?
According to Johanna Harris, publisher of the Equestrian Athlete, calories
burned by equestrian activities are:
Equestrian Activity Cal/hr
posting trot 420
sitting trot 450
canter 514
gallop 558
clean stalls 550
How long does it take to learn to ride?
That depends on your goals and natural ability. Discussing goals with your
riding instructor is very important at the start. This will help your
instructor design a lesson program for you.
When can my child start riding lessons?
Six to seven years of age is generally a reasonable age to start.
Your child should have:
- The desire to ride.
- Muscle strength to hold the proper position in the saddle.
- The balance to remain on the horse.
- The ability to understand instructions and follow directions.
- Sufficient attention span for instruction.
- Neck muscles strong enough to support fitted, approved protective
headgear.
Because riding comes with a great deal of responsibility, children
shouldn't start until they are ready to learn how to groom and care
for the horse. Emotional maturity is just as important as physical
development.
How do I find the right stable and instructor?
For as little as ten to twenty dollars, you can try an introductory lesson
and see if you are comfortable on a horse and want to continue. Only after
you are sure that horseback riding is not a passing fancy should you
consider purchasing the necessary equipment and signing up for months of
lessons. Choosing the right instructor is very important, to ensure that
your riding is enjoyable and educational. Talk to people who ride or have
children who ride. Every riding instructor has a different way of doing
things. Schedule appointments with several different instructors in order
to choose the one that best suits your objectives and personality. A good
instructor is sensitive and understanding, shouldn't yell or try to
intimidate you. If you observe or receive instruction like that, go
somewhere else! Many stables allow prospective students to have a sample
lesson to see if the horse and the instructor are a good fit. Don't be
afraid to ask questions. Your first concern should be safety. Look for an
instructor who focuses on the positive. When you're first starting out,
you make a lot of mistakes. It doesn't help to be criticized for that.
An instructor should encourage students when they do something well.
Most stables have private and group lessons available.
Group lessons are good for beginners, who can observe the strengths and
weaknesses of other riders and benefit from that. You may want to take a
private to hone your skills from time to time, or if your schedule does
not allow you to join a group lesson. Once you have chosen an instructor,
the first lesson should be devoted to simply getting comfortable on the
horse, not galloping around the ring. When examining a stable and an
instructor, consider the following questions: Is safety a main concern?
Are the lesson horses calm and easygoing? Do the other students look like
they are having fun? Does the instructor offer solid, positive
reinforcement to the riders?
Parents: an instructor should have no problem with you observing lessons.
Take the time to watch closely while the instructor interacts with students
and make sure your child feels comfortable before committing to lessons.
In particular, try to observe a teacher who is teaching students the same
age as your child. Watching a teacher work with teenage students won't tell
you much about how well they interact with seven-year-olds.
What about riding instructor certification?
Certified instructors have demonstrated (to a self-appointed certifying
organization's satisfaction) the ability to instruct their students in a safe,
knowledgeable and professional manner. Certification does not necessarily mean
an instructor will work well with all ages and/or skill levels. There are good
non-certified instructors, just as there are bad certified instructors. When
choosing an instructor, the evaluation and selection criteria described above
are more important than the certification level of the prospective
instructor.
How much does it cost?
Typically, group lessons cost about thirty dollars per hour. Private
lessons are a little more expensive, averaging forty-five to fifty
dollars per half hour. Some stables and instructors require payment in
advance for a set number of lessons. Some offer a discount for payment
in advance.
What equipment do I need?
When it is time to purchase riding equipment, look to your instructor for
guidance. There are many fancy riding outfits available, but most students,
especially beginners, will do fine wearing comfortable pants and a shirt.
Every beginning student needs a safety-approved helmet and good lace-up
boots. It is important for boots to have a strong heel to prevent the
rider's foot from slipping through the stirrup. A basic safety helmet can
be purchased for around fifty dollars while the traditional black velvet
helmet is about eighty dollars. Make sure your helmet meets ASTM standard
#F1163-95 and is SEI certified.
Click here to see if your helmet is on the SEI approved list. The instructor
should provide all the other supplies you will need, such as saddle, bridle, etc.
What about falling off?
Some people say the hardest part about learning to ride is the ground!
Falling is definitely a concern for many prospective students. Thanks to
modern safety equipment, severe injuries are relatively uncommon. When
students are just starting out, falling off the horse is a reality they
will have to face. Many people never fall off, but you should be prepared
for an occasional bump or scrape. A recent study of 121,274 horse-related
injuries treated at hospital emergency rooms, revealed that only 1% occurred
at a riding school facility. Many instructors teach beginner-riders how to
do an emergency dismount safely, so if the student "falls off" they do so in
as safe and non-harmful way as possible.
Should I buy my own horse?
It is not necessary to own a horse to get full enjoyment out of riding.
Families who live in the city or in subdivisions, simply don't have room to
keep a horse on their property. Boarding a horse at a stable can cost more
than many people can afford. Besides owning a horse, there are other ways
for people to have access to horses and riding equipment. Enrolling in a
lesson program that offers occasional trail rides and other activities is
the least expensive. Many stables will allow students to ride in exchange
for helping out at the barns, something many students are eager to do.
Leasing is another option. Larger stables will have lease horses available
for people who aren't sure about committing to purchasing a horse.
What Should I consider if I buy my own horse?
- Match the skill levels of horse and rider: an inexperienced rider
needs a more forgiving horse. Experienced riders are better able to handle
a more spirited horse, or a "green" (not fully trained) horse.
- Know good horsemanship: the best way to learn is to take lessons
from the best horsewoman or horseman you can find.
- Determine the riders goals: do you want a trail horse or
performance horse, etc.
- Determine your price range: experienced riders can save money by
buying a young horse and training it. Do not consider a green horse for a
green rider!
- Ask lots of questions of the right people: get opinions of a
prospective horse from knowledgeable people you trust, other than the
seller.
- Choose the right breed: again, the advice of trusted, knowledgeable
people is invaluable.
- Avoid auctions: they are often dumping grounds for problem horses.
- Get experienced help in evaluating the horse: have a trusted, experienced
rider check out all aspects of tacking and riding your prospective horse.
- Visit your local horse rescue! They may have a horse that
is right for you, and needs a good home.
How do I find riding stables in my area?
Yellow pages, ads in children's magazines and local papers. Ask at your
local tack shop and look over their bulletin board. If you are a resident
of Maryland, the Equiery is a great resource. The inside back page lists
riding facilities by county. There is also a directory of instructors.
Pick up a free copy at a MD tack shop, or
click here.
For more tips on learning to ride from The Equiery,
click here.