Preparing for Your First Lesson
You've always wanted to ride a horse, and now you finally have the opportunity as your first lesson is soon approaching. No doubt, you'll be feeling some anxiety as you don't know what to expect, but that feeling is normal!
The first thing you need to do is make sure you have the proper attire. At the beginner stage, your only concern should be safety and comfort. Leave the show ring attire to the pros.
You will absolutely need an ASTM/SEI certified helmet. Lesson facilities typically provide these helmets for the first few lessons, but they expect you to purchase one should you intend on riding beyond two or three lessons. (Keep in mind, if you borrow a helmet, they are "general" use and have been worn by others. Though they may be sprayed and treated before your use, you might prefer to start with your own helmet regardless.)
An ASTM/SEI certified horseback riding helmet is the only helmet you should wear. Bicycling helmets are not appropriate and are not tested to the same safety and impact measures as horseback riding helmets. A good facility will not let you use a helmet that is not ASTM/SEI certified, and do not let any tack shop owner talk you into otherwise. Make sure you look for the label that ensures the helmet is certified, and your riding school should do the same on the day of your lesson.
The next thing you need besides the helmet is a pair of shoes with a smooth sole and a square heel. (Picture cowboy boots or jodhpur boots, but you don't have to spend a large amount of money on real riding boots just yet; you can find smooth soled ankle boots with square heel in many shoe stores.) A preferable boot comes above the ankle and offers some ankle support. Army boots, dockers, sneakers are all entirely unacceptable for riding wear. Army boots have a thick tread, and, if you fall off, your foot could get caught in the stirrup and you can suffer serious injuries. Alternatively, wearing something that does not have a square heel could allow your foot to slide all the way through the stirrup and become caught that way, with your heel up in the horse's side, which is dangerous. Just remember: no treads, smooth sole, square heel.
Now, what will you wear for riding pants? This can be a dilemma for some new riders for a few reasons. One, most pick standard jeans, but, here's the rub-jeans with their loose fit and inner seems may give you a rub on your inner thigh, knee or calf. They can also rub in a way that slides them up your leg, leaving your calf bare and rubbing against the stirrup leather. Conversely, running pants tend to be somewhat slick on the outside and cause you to slip in the saddle. To prevent rubbing, you need pants that do not have inner seems, and to prevent them from riding up all over, they need to be fitted so they stay in place. Thick tights may be your best bet, or use women's pantyhose under your jeans. (And, yes, I've known male students to do so when necessary.) You can also use long john bottoms under your jeans in winter, but just be sure to tuck them well into your socks so they don't ride up. You can try thick tights with leg warmers in the winter, especially now that leg warmers are back in style. If you decide to continue riding, you may wish to purchase an inexpensive pair of riding tights or breeches. Riding jeans also exist, and they are made to not have an inner seem and to be fitted and stretchy.
Depending on the temperature, you need to select your outwear knowing that a: you'll be outdoors and b: your instructor will want to have a good view of your form in order to show you how to sit correctly. That means you should avoid bulky ski jackets that will make you look round shouldered even if you're not. Form-fitting outwear can be combined with a layer of long johns, turtleneck and fitted sweater for a clean look that will work.
Now that you have your certified safety horseback riding helmet, your smooth-soled shoes with a square heel, your pants that won't ride up and rub your legs and your fitted outwear, you are ready to show up to your first lesson already looking like you know what you're doing! Good luck and happy trails!
Related Tags: riding lessons, horses for sale, equine lessons, horse trainers
Three Minutes or Less to Equine Successhttp://www.theequineyard.com/network.php Your Article Search Directory : Find in Articles
Recent articles in this category:
- Canadiens Early Season Struggles
Inconsistency has reared its ugly head once again. After a shutout loss to the lowly New Jersey Devi - Mens Magazine in the Toronto Market
Magazines are wonderful things. They are able to explore their particular area of interest in more d - They Won the Lottery But Then Lost it All
We all dream about winning the lottery and every time we watch those balls spin we think about what - Manchester City Imploding
Life changed for Manchester City fans the minute their club was taken over by the ultra wealthy Oil - Different Types of Sports Water Bottle
If you are an athlete and there is a competition the next day, there are a lot of things to prepare. - Poker Supplies a Person Needs to Play
There are a lot of people all over the world that enjoy playing poker on a regular basis. There are - Data on NCAA Football 11 (XBox)
EA Sports has always been the pinnacle for sports video games. The Madden franchise for NFL football - World Golf Amateur Team Championship 2012
Golf is said to be the game of nobles. Over a period of time, the game has developed into a craze fo - Will "The Decision" Yield the Result? Lakers, Heat Seen as Likely Finalists
By far the biggest moment in the NBA offseason was the hour-long ESPN special in which LeBron James - The Evolution of the Game: Table Tennis
Table tennis was probably derived from the game "Royal Tennis," a popular diversion during medieval
Most viewed articles in this category:
- Rainbow, Brown And Brook Trout
Maine fishing has Rainbow, Brown, and Brook trout. Trout are an important part of fishing tradition. - Gymnastics Floor Music
Over the last decade or two, gymnastics as a sport has undergone considerable changes in the way it - Texas Holdem Blinds - Understanding Blinds In Texas Hold'em Poker
Posting blinds is a very important aspect of the betting structure of Texas Hold'em poker. It keeps - Indoor Mobility Scooters
Mobility scooters exclusively provide assistance to physically disabled people, who don't necessaril - Texas Holdem Tournament - Learn How To Run A Texas Hold'em Tournament
Texas Hold'em is a popular game, so next time you consider hosting a social function at your house w - The Nfl Channel And The Controversy Surrounding It
If you watch TV, and especially if you are a loyal spectator of the NFL Channel, you might have hear - Texas Holdem - How To Become Better At Texas Hold'em Poker
If you know the rules, if you know the game, if you know the odds, chances are you'll do well at pok - Essential Boxing Equipment For Every Boxer
When you are training to become a boxer there are a few very important pieces of boxing equipment th - Some Advice On How To Stay Motivated To Run
Staying Motivated to Run Do you have a hard time staying motivated to run? There are a lot of thing - NCAA: Three Good Coaches
There are coaches in each and every type of sport out there, and many of them are good at what they