So, you love the idea of horseback riding in Banff but you have no horse-riding experience? Don’t sweat it.
While getting in the saddle for the first time can be a little nerve wracking, it’s not as difficult as you might think. It won’t take you long to get the hang of it and you’ll start to relax and enjoy the ride.
Here are some important tips from horseback riding experts to keep in mind for your first ride.
1. Approach Your Horse Carefully
“Be vocal when walking around horses, especially when approaching their backsides.” says Stan Walchuk, Jr., a writer for Canadian Horse Journal. “Horses that are dozing or feel threatened may kick out if startled. Never unexpectedly touch the backside of a horse that cannot see you.” Remember, a horse is a prey animal so when they feel threatened their instinct is to bolt.
How should you approach a horse? Since the horse’s eyes are on either side of its head, you should walk towards it slightly from the side. Walk towards its left shoulder (that’s the side it is used to being approached from), making sure that the horse sees you.
Speak calmly to reassure it, then hold your hands out to let it sniff your fingers. Then, reach out and gently stroke the horse on the shoulder. If you have a treat (such as a carrot or apple) to give to your new best friend, always hold your hand out flat to avoid getting your fingers nipped.
2. Don’t Forget to Breathe
“My best advice for any rider, on any horse, in any situation, is to breathe.” says blogger and equestrian Anna Blake.
“When we are uncertain, our breathing becomes shallow and restricted, our body tenses, and that warns the horse to be nervous.” she explains.
Taking a few deep breaths will help both you and the horse to relax. “Breathing softens our body and literally cues the horse than everything is okay,” says Anna.
This is one of the simplest yet most effective things you can do to make your horseback riding experience a little easier. (Also, Anna adds that smiling will help you to relax too.)
3. Pay Attention to Your Horse’s Ears
Nancy also shared some great advice with me for knowing what your horse is thinking: just look at their ears. For example:
- If they prick forward and focus in one direction, they might have spotted a deer or another type of animal further along the trail or in the trees.
- If their ears go flat back, it’s typically because the horse behind them is tailing too close or trying to pass them.
- If one ear is forward and one is back, most likely they are listening to you.
For a more in-depth read on horse body language and what it means, check out this long and comprehensive guide from Equus Magazine.
4. Don’t Ride Too Close
Tailgating isn’t just a dangerous practice when you are driving, it is also something you should avoid when riding a horse. When the horses get too close together they can annoy each other and this can possibly cause the horses to get spooked.
“Leave one to two horse lengths between horses.” Pat Barriage of the Horse Industry Association of Alberta explains in her 40 Top Tips for Trail Riders. “Make sure you can always see the heels of the horse in front of you from between your horse’s ears.”
Be extra careful when an obstruction on the trail forces horses close together.
5. Listen to Your Trail Guides
Courtney Marshallick, a former trail guide in Virginia and a horse blogger at AnEquestrianLife.com, recommends listening carefully to your trail guides. “They know the horses and the area, and they will keep you safe.”
Before you embark on your ride, the guides at Banff Trail Riders will give you some instruction on how to control your horse and how to give it commands. Courtney explains that people enjoy horseback riding much more when they learn how to work with their horse and control it.
“There needs to be the understanding that horses are animals, not ATVs or bikes, and they need a confident leader to control them,” she says. “Otherwise you end up with the situations of horses stopping to eat with the rider as a helpless onlooker.”
Also, she adds that if your horse gets spooked it is important to know how to take charge of the situation. If you are ever unsure, just ask your Banff Trail Riders’ guide for assistance.
6. Break in Your Boots Beforehand
And if you’re travelling into the backcountry on a backcountry horseback riding vacation, one of the best things you can do to save yourself from foot pain on your first ride is to start breaking in your cowboy boots early, says Nancy Brown, an Equestrian travel writer who reviews horseback riding vacations at WritingHorseback.com.
“I’d highly recommend that you buy the boots as soon as you “think” you are committed to the trip.” says Nancy. “Give yourself time to break in the boots around the house and on the street. You’ll be breaking in other body parts in the saddle, so be comfortable in your boots.”
Nancy also offers some wise advice for keeping the blood flowing to your feet and preventing strain. “After a few hours of riding, drop your stirrups (your wrangler will explain what I’m talking about in more detail, but this means taking your foot out of the stirrup) and do a few ankle rolls.” This will stimulate your circulation and keep your ankles supple, which is important on those long rides.
Keep these tidbits of wise advice from horse experts in mind during your first ride. With these tips, you’ll be able to have a successful and safe journey and enjoy your experience so much more. Happy trails to you!
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