Horseback Riding Tips for Beginners - Mounting a Horse

Since many of the ride participants are novices when it comes to horseback riding. I'll post a few beginner's tips and tricks.

We'll start with how to get on a horse (aka mounting the horse).

1) Stand on the left hand side of the horse.

2) Hold both reins in your left hand and gather them with a tuft of mane. Hold the off right side rein a tad tighter to help prevent the horse from swinging away from you as you get on.

3) Face towards the horse, facing forward slightly towards the head.

4) Place your left foot into the stirrup so the ball of your foot is resting comfortably on the bottom of the stirrup. Have the reins and tuft of mane grasped in your left hand and the right will be grasping the back of the saddle. Your right leg will be balancing your weight and ready to spring.

5) Use your right left to push you up as you start to lift yourself. Your hands will only be there for balance. Don't use your arms to try to pull yourself up. The spring of your leg should propel you upwards.

6) As you become balanced over the horse's withers let go with your right hand moving it up to the reins then swing your free leg up and over the back of the saddle. Be sure to lift your leg high enough not to kick your horse in the haunch or hit your leg on the saddle. Settle gently into the saddle. Coming down with a thud will be uncomfortable for your horse and may even startle it.

7) Arrange the reins. Adjust your feet in the stirrups.

In addition, you may want to be ready with some basic footwear. Any shoe that has a slight heel would be good. Just picture a horse riding boot to get the image. However, basic sneakers are perfectly acceptable for the casual rider. I'm planning on wearing my boots.