Horse riding is a discipline that requires both physical fitness and mental presence. For beginner riders, mastering the basic skills that will help them communicate with the horse safely and effectively is essential. Appropriate exercises help develop balance, coordination and strength, while also teaching riders how to respond correctly to the horse's movements.
Horse riding is a discipline that requires both physical fitness and mental presence. For beginner riders, mastering the basic skills that will help them communicate with the horse safely and effectively is essential. Appropriate exercises help develop balance, coordination and strength, while also teaching riders how to respond correctly to the horse's movements.
When riding, the rider's body must work in harmony with the horse's movements. This is why exercises focusing on maintaining correct posture, positioning the legs correctly in the stirrups and using the hands are so important. Maintaining balance can be challenging at first, so basic exercises on the lunge, such as turning the head, bending and twisting the torso, or lifting the legs in the stirrups in a controlled manner, teach riders how to maintain stability and control, whether at walk or in more demanding gaits.
Riding training should always begin with simple exercises to consolidate the basic principles of riding, helping to avoid difficulties and potential dangers in the future. Well-chosen exercises help not only with learning to ride but also with building a strong, positive relationship with the horse, which is invaluable in every equestrian discipline.
Learning to ride on your own may seem an appealing, if ambitious, goal, but it should be emphasised that in practice this is very difficult and potentially dangerous without appropriate supervision. Beginner riders trying to learn without a trainer's assistance may not only misinterpret the horse's behaviour but also respond inadequately to unexpected situations, increasing the risk of accidents.
Therefore, although learning on your own may seem tempting, it is strongly recommended that your first steps in horse riding take place under the guidance of an experienced instructor. Lessons on the lunge, where the instructor controls the horse and can focus on correcting the rider's posture, are an ideal way to acquire basic skills safely and effectively. Professional instruction guarantees not only faster progress but, above all, adherence to the highest safety standards.
During their first lessons with a trainer, new riders learn how to sit correctly in the saddle and communicate with the horse. The trainer checks the rider's posture, paying attention, for example, to how the rider places their feet in the stirrups or uses the reins. Training under the guidance of an experienced instructor is the foundation of safe and enjoyable riding. The trainer will provide not only technical knowledge but also help build confidence on horseback, which is essential for riding independently in the future.
Beginner riders should start learning to ride by understanding and practising the basic principles of correct posture in the saddle. Initial training sessions, often conducted on the lunge, are crucial because they allow the rider to focus on their own body without having to control the horse. Shoulder blades drawn together, a stable, symmetrical seat and an even distribution of body weight on both sides form the foundation that influences riding safety and effectiveness.
Beginner riders should focus on learning correct posture in the saddle. A straight back, a stable seat and even weight distribution on both sides of the body are important. Simple exercises such as turning the head, bending and twisting the torso, or lifting the legs at walk help riders understand how important harmony between the movements of horse and rider is in equestrianism.
Learning on the lunge also allows the trainer to observe and correct the beginner rider's mistakes, which is essential in the initial phase of training. As the instructor controls the horse, the rider can focus entirely on their technique, significantly accelerating the learning process. In addition, tackling the typical difficulties beginners encounter early on, in the safe setting of lunge lessons, helps build the confidence and skills needed to ride independently.
The time needed to learn to ride can vary from person to person. Usually, a few months of regular training are enough to master basic skills and feel confident in the saddle. However, further refining technique and developing riding skills is a lifelong process.
Circle your arms while riding. First alternate between forwards and backwards circles, then, in the more difficult version, circle one arm forwards and the other backwards (and vice versa). To perform this exercise correctly, sit up straight, draw your shoulder blades together and look ahead.
Another exercise involves turning your head to the left and right while riding. Sounds simple? This is an important exercise because it teaches you to move your head independently of the rest of your body.
Bend forwards while twisting your torso, alternating sides, to touch first your knee and then your ankle - touch your right knee and ankle with your left hand, and vice versa.
While riding at walk, stand up in the stirrups and try to maintain this position for as long as possible. Look ahead, keep your back straight, push your hips forwards and rest your hands on your thighs. This will teach you the correct leg position when riding - your knees should be bent, your thighs and calves should stay against the horse's sides, and your feet should be directly beneath your hips.
Try to maintain a two-point position at walk without using your hands. At first, support yourself with both hands, but gradually reduce the weight resting on them. Then lift one hand, followed by the other. Finally, extend both arms out to the sides. Difficult? Your body, especially your legs, is probably positioned incorrectly. Remember that in a two-point position you should transfer your body weight into the stirrups and close your calves against the horse's sides.
Can you perform the previous two exercises? Increase the difficulty and try the same at trot.
The next exercise is rising trot, which involves rising out of and lowering yourself back into the saddle - again without using the reins. This is easiest on a horse that is standing still; you can then try practising it at walk, followed by trot. As in the previous exercise, you can initially support yourself with your hands. If you have problems, this means your leg action is incorrect - to rise correctly, you need stable support through the stirrup and knee as you rise and lower yourself, so that your leg does not move forwards and backwards.
Can horse riding help you shed excess kilograms? This question often arises among people looking for ways to improve their lifestyle, increase their physical activity and improve their figure.
Horse riding can be described as a great way to improve overall physical fitness, including strengthening the abdominal muscles. When riding, particularly at canter or when jumping, the abdominal muscles work intensively to help maintain stability and balance. Regular training can help strengthen and slim the body.
Although practical exercises are the most important part of learning to ride, it is still worth using your spare time to read books about horse riding, such as “Conscious Riding in Practice” by Mary Wanless.
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