Horse Riding Articles

Horseback Riding Etiquette

Just as in any sport or hobby, there are manners and rules which should be adhered to when taking horseback riding lessons. Proper respect must be shown to instructors, other riders and one’s horse. Horse riding is a fun activity, but when approached with the wrong attitude, it can be ruined.
Be on time and prepared. An instructor’s nightmare is the chronically tardy student who shows up ten minutes late for every lesson and is not even properly dressed yet. Trainers stack their riding lessons to allow the proper amount of time for each student. One late rider can throw off the entire day. This is rude to the instructor. Not only that, but riders who take lessons later in the day will need to wait longer and stay later potentially throwing off their personal schedules. Lateness is unacceptable when taking horse back riding lessons.
Another disrespectful thing which riders often do is to cancel their horse riding lessons on a frequent basis. Instructors make a schedule, and they lose money when an uncommitted rider takes up a slot which could otherwise be given to a more disciplined person. If one wants to take lessons, they should make a point to take their lessons every week. Not only is skipping disrespectful, but it hurts one’s own progress as a rider.
As a parent whose child is learning to ride a horse, one should not send their child to a lesson wearing unsuitable clothing. The trainer will make it clear what is acceptable riding apparel and what is not. It is not practical to go out and buy breeches and boots for a beginner, but basic rules apply. Don’t send a child to the barn wearing sandals; that is asking for a broken toe. Shorts are always a no, as they will rub on the child’s legs and cause pain, and consequently annoying wining for the instructor. One should not be surprised or angry if an instructor refuses to give a lesson to an improperly dressed rider.
Horseback riding is a serious commitment, and should be treated as such. One cannot agree to learn how to ride a horse, only to put it at the bottom of their priority list. Horse riding is a privilege and a wonderful thing to be able to do. Never should one take this ability for granted by ignoring good etiquette for riding lessons.

CopyRights, horseriderkit.com