Riding a horse is not easily learnt. A lot of information has to be borne in mind, some of which has little or nothing to do with the horse itself. Before starting you must be wearing the correct clothing and a properly fitting helmet. Not performing simple checks from the beginning could not only put you in danger, but also potentially invalidate any claim you may have to make on your [1] horse insurance policy. Now the next steps can be undertaken.

Mounting a horse correctly.

Move to the left of the horse when you have made doubly sure that both bridle and saddle have been fitted correctly. Place your left foot in the stirrup, and grasp the withers (mane), not the saddle as this will cause it to slide. Then, with both hands on the front of the horse or on the cantle (the back of the saddle) push yourself up and, without kicking the horse, swing your leg over his back. When comfortable, reassess your grip on the reins and hang both your legs down near the stirrups. If the stirrup reaches your ankle, they will be at the correct length. Then you should be able to just slide your feet into the stirrup whilst your foot is raised a few inches. Any balancing adjustments should be made by you not by the horse.

Once satisfactorily mounted…

Make sure that your upper back is straight and your lower back relaxed. Sit tall in the saddle. Keep your head raised with your attention focused on potential hazards. Hold the left rein in the left hand and the right rein in the right hand. Tuck the reins under all four fingers, with the reins going in under the little fingers. The proper way to hold the reins is with each hand just in front of the saddle and as wide apart as the horse’s neck keeping the reins in place between your thumbs and forefingers with your thumbs up and your palms down. To let more rein in, slide it through by lifting your thumbs. Use opposite hand to take up extra length and shorten rein.

How to ride your horse.

The first gait - a slow walk - is initiated by squeezing your lower legs. After a few minutes stop and check the girth. If the space between the horse and the girth is more than the thickness of one hand, the girth will have to be tightened. Carry on walking, keeping your heels down, back straight and chin up. Your heels and shoulders should be in a straight line. A slight pull on the reins will turn the horse’s head and thus enable you to change direction. To stop the horse pull back on the reins whilst sitting deep in the saddle, or lean back whilst relaxing the reins and praising your horse. Releasing the reins when you stop will please the horse and thus discourage him from pulling. Make sure the reins are not so short that they could be jerked out of your grasp. Practise these basic moves until you and the horse are comfortable with it all.

Trotting - the second gait - can be started as soon as you and your horse feel ready. As before, the horse will speed up as soon as you squeeze him with your legs. When trotting you must be able to rise and sit with the rhythm of the horse. You will need to rise and sit with the movement of the horse without bumping. This takes a bit of getting used to, and you will be using muscles which you may not be used to using! Thinking “lift, sit, lift, sit” in time to the rhythm will help you with this. Don’t sit down too heavily, as this could unsteady the horse. To slow the horse down sit deep in the saddle whilst giving a gentle pull to the reins. Again practise this until you are comfortable with the movements. When you are happy, try turning and stopping from a trot.

The third gait - cantering - is the next step. It will probably be necessary to practise trotting for weeks before you can do this. To ask for canter, squeeze your outside leg while having it back a bit and then squeeze with your inside leg. The command to canter is sometimes best given when you are sit trotting and therefore ready for it. This means that you should be sitting back slightly; when you feel you’re sitting back, you’re about right. With your bottom just off the saddle, rocking forward and back, is the correct position for a canter. This motion will not come easily; lots of practice will be needed. Ensure you are wary of your posture and heels as you practice: back on your heels and rocked forward but straight with your body.

You shouldn’t try the gallop - the fastest gait - until you have mastered the canter. Again squeeze your calves as you have before, but you must be in a canter. You should be sitting slightly forward in the saddle, just as you do when cantering, with your bottom off the saddle. A faster gait should not be attempted until you are very confident at the slower gait.

When dismounting your horse, swing your right leg over to the back of the horse. You are at risk of slipping unless you grip the saddle firmly and maintain good balance. Then lower yourself down from the left side; you should try to put both your legs down at the same time, keeping your knees slightly bent to absorb the weight.

Further hints on handling a horse.

You should make yourself familiar with your horse. By approaching the horse gently from the front or side and talking and stroking him you will relax him and thereby avoid being kicked. By moving towards his shoulder he will know that you are approaching him.

Never attempt to ride a horse unless you have previously received proper instruction as to what to do. Always ride with at least one other rider especially if you are new to horse riding.

Ignore the shock and possible pain of falling off and try to get back on the horse immediately.

When tending to a horse always make sure you are so positioned that you can readily jump aside if you have to.

If you are uncomfortable on the horse, the horse will be aware of this and will, in turn, feel ill at ease.

To avoid causing pain and distress to the horse make sure that you never jerk the bit violently. If you handle it carefully, he will be more relaxed and easier to ride.

For more tips and advice on caring for horses, horse riding and a brand new equine blog, pay a visit to the new website from AFI [2] Horse Insurance dedicated to looking after you and your horse. As the UK’s only not-for-profit pet and equine insurance provider, Animal Friends is your ethical choice.