D A D B L O G S
A dad blog by a geek dad with two geeky kids.
My youngest suddenly developed an interest in horseback riding. He’s been asking me to let him take riding lessons at a local riding club. While I’m aware of the wonderful benefits of this activity for kids, I’m anxious about the possible dangers that come with it. So I talked to a family member who is also an equestrian to get her insights. As expected, she encouraged me to support my son’s pursuit. She even shared with me some ideas that will facilitate my son’s first horseback riding adventures. Here are the five top tips I remember from our conversation.
1) Prioritize safety – Safety should be the first concern for beginners. In order to be safe, a rider must: a) wear the proper attire b) acquire some basic riding expertise c) learn fundamental skills for handling the horse on the ground Take the time to research the above points before taking riding lessons. There are a lot of related articles, ebooks and videos which you can find online free-of-charge. 2) Search for a good mentor – A good mentor understands the strengths, weaknesses and even fears of his students. As well as attending to your concerns and questions, he will also be able to guide you towards becoming a successful rider even in your first year. 3) Prepare your body – Horseback riding is a very physical activity. You must be able to move harmoniously with your horse without losing total control over him. Engage in exercises that strengthen your whole body and that help you achieve a sense of balance. 4) Keep practicing – Practice makes perfect. Read books and watch videos. Put your learning into practice on a regular basis. Be open to feedback from your mentor and other professional riders. 5) Listen to your horse – It is important to understand your horse’s routines, ways of communication and overall state of mind. A horse that is in good condition is always calm, responsive and able to be ridden. This can be achieved with the right care and the techniques and tools which you can learn about in any equine supplies guide for first-time horse owners. If you want a visual guide to help you choose the equine supplies you will need, check out this detailed infographic from Horseland. Comments are closed.
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Hey there. My name is Jim. I'm a dad & I know some dad stuff & I like to write about them here. More about me.
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