If you dream of blazing through fields of wildflowers atop a copper-colored horse that longs for you to open up the reins and let him fly, then don't stop now. It's time to scratch that itch you've been feeling for horse riding.

After a few horse riding lessons, you can be well on your way to a new activity that brings peace, joy, laughter, and camaraderie. To help you get in the saddle for the first time, we've prepared a short beginner's guide to horse riding .

It'll help you dress right, mount right, and bring all those dreams to fruition. Slip on your boots, friends. It's time to ride.

Dress for the Occasion

Each rider develops his or her own style over time. But, there are a few basics to put into place on your first ride.

1-Wear a pair of long pants.
2-Choose close-toed shoes, preferably boots that will prevent your feet from slipping through the stirrups.
3-Don't wear any lovely, flowing tops that could get caught in trees, the saddle, or even the horse.

Know the Horseman's Handshake

The horseman's handshake is a fun little catchphrase that refers to the manner in which we greet a horse for the first time. It's important to take it nice and slow as you close the gap between you and the horse.

The handshake is similar to how we greet dogs for the first time. Gracefully extend your hand so the horse can sniff the back of your hand.

Let it linger there while they contemplate their next move. Once the horse touches you with their nose, you can consider that an equine high five and move to the next step.

Mount with Momentum

Once you've gotten to know one another, it's time to mount. In America, most trainers or guides will help you mount with the left stirrup. Once you place your foot in the stirrup, it's best to propel your other leg across as smoothly as possible.

You'll find that your legs are very important in the next step. So, try to lean on them even as you're mounting. Any sort of pushing down on the horse's neck or head could make them forget about your pleasant handshake and react poorly.

Sit Up Straight

Once you're in the saddle, be sure to sit up straight, relax your back, and hold on to the reins with ease. If you use your legs to maintain a strong posture, then you won't feel unbalanced and the horse won't feel top-heavy.
But, again, this is where leg strength comes in handy because you never want to pull on the reins (until it's time to pull on the reins).

Dismount with Distinction

Of course, we've skipped over all the basics of a good ride. Do keep coming back to enjoy reading about the fundamentals of a good ride. In this article, however, we didn't want to leave you without the tools to dismount properly.

Wait until you're back in a secure location and the horse is nice and still. Then, remove both feet from the stirrups, lean forward (without leaning on your new friend's neck), swing your right leg over, and hop down.

Horse Riding for Everyone

Horse riding is for everyone who loves the peace of nature, the gentility of these massive animals, and the simple pleasures in life. One ride can quickly turn into a lifelong love affair of horseback riding.

Here at Horse Riding Network, we're your gold mine for fellow horse lovers who are about to start riding. You'll find all kinds of helpful guides, resources to lead you in the right direction, and a faithful community of friends. We hope you enjoyed our beginner's guide to horse riding and we hope to see you out there on the trails someday!