Start Riding...
Below are our articles on the subject of Start Riding. If you can't see what you are looking for our other categories are displayed on the left under 'Our Quick Links'...
A Glossary of Riding Terms
Novice riders will come across many unfamiliar words during the course of a few lessons. Many of these words are not heard on a day-to-day basis outside of riding...
Arena Layout
For dressage, an arena is laid out strictly and must be exact. The arena is used for the different manoeuvres in the sport and each one must be completed at the right...
Categories of Horses for Riding
When people start horse riding, they can become bemused by the different terms used to describe different types of horses. Several different names can be used for...
Conquering a Fear of Horses
Many people are nervous around horses, and in some people, this actually goes as far as being equinophobia – an actual fear of horses. But many people will find that...
Horse Riding Safety When Having Lessons
Horse riding can be a fun and exhilarating activity, but you must take precautions. Horses are beautiful, but large and sometimes dangerous...
Improving your Fitness for Horse Riding
Improving your fitness for horse riding should be a priority when you take up the sport and you should aim to maintain your fitness level while...
Mounting and Dismounting
Mounting and dismounting a pony is a basic skill of riding and one which you will need to master before you proceed onto anything else. Nevertheless this does not mean...
Preparing for the First Lesson
So, congratulations, you have decided to take up a new hobby and learn a new skill. Along the way, you are bound to have lots of fun and make new friends, but before...
Rider Position
Once you have mastered mounting your horse the next step is to establish the correct rider position. Having the right position is vital, as it allows you to ride...
Riding for the Disabled
Riding for the Disabled is a registered charity in the UK which provides services to people with disabilities to enable them to enjoy horse riding. The charity...
Slowing and Stopping
One of the most important things for any rider to master is how to slow down and how to stop carefully and safely. If you do not know how to stop properly, the horse...
Tackling Your First Jump
Once you have made the decision to start jumping you will need to consider how to approach and tackle your first jump. Looking at a jump – especially if it is a big one...
Time for Riding
You will find that once you start, riding quickly becomes addictive. Once you have got the hang of it, you will find you want to do it all of the time, come rain or...
Turning Circles
Any rider who drives a car will be familiar with the concept of turning circles. This is a reference to how large or small a circle a car will make when turned around...
Walking, Trotting and Cantering
Walking, trotting and cantering are three different gaits. The word gait refers to a movement of the horse, usually one which occurs naturally, which the rider can...
