One of the best ways to experience a new place is to get out on a horseback ride on some trails in nature. Instead of riding in a car or other motorised vehicle, being on the back of a horse makes you feel like a part of nature and not just looking in from the outside.
If you are not familiar with riding horses, it doesn’t mean that you can’t or shouldn’t go on a trail ride. There are trails and horses that are perfectly suited for beginners. You don’t have to know the difference between English bridle parts and Western, or any of the technicalities. The instructors will give you all the information you need to know. However, there are some things to prepare for so you get the most out of the experience which we will go over in this article.
1. Dress appropriately
Cowboys wear what they wear not because they are trying to make a fashion statement. The hat, the boots, and the chaps are all there for a very specific reason. You need to keep the sun off of your head and neck. You need to make sure that your feet don’t slip out of the stirrups. And, you don’t want to have your skin get chafed by the rubbing against the horse.
All this is to say that you have to dress for the event and the weather to make sure that you get the most out of it. Dressing in the right clothes will make things more comfortable and even safer so it is essential.
Instead of a cowboy hat, however, a riding helmet is always advised since it is very easy for a seasoned rider to fall off so a beginner is even more at risk. Head injuries are very common when falling off a horse on a trail.
2. Understand your horse
When you are on a vacation and riding a horse for the first time, the workers at the ranch will make sure to pair you up with the right horse based on its temperament and your experience level. They want to make sure that you have a compatible horse to avoid accidents.
You can get more out of the experience by trying to make a bond with the horse instead of treating it like a ride. Take at least a few minutes before you set out trying to get to know your horse and letting it get to know you too.
Pet the horse and make plenty of eye contact while gently talking to it. This will give you a small bond that can help your horse want you to ride on its back.
3. Be confident
A finicky horse will know when it can throw its weight around when they have a beginner on its back. If you throw off any kind of self-doubt then it will sense this and know that it can manipulate the situation. Get on with confidence and don’t show that you’re not in control.
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