Horseback Riding For Dummies

Audrey Pavia is the former editor of Horse Illustrated magazine and an award-winning writer of numerous articles on equine subjects. The author of 10 books about horses, she has also contributed to Horse & Rider, American Farriers Journal, and many other animal magazines.

• Introduction 1About This Book 1Foolish Assumptions 2Icons Used in This Book 2Beyond the Book 3Where to Go from Here 3Part 1: Horseback Riding Basics 5Chapter 1: Giddy Up! Welcome to Horseback Riding 7Discovering the Horse’s Mind and Body 8Taking Riding Lessons 8Getting into Riding Shape 9Keeping Yourself Safe around Horses 10Selecting the Right Riding Style and Gear 10Riding High from the Start 11Preparing on the ground 12Mounting and dismounting 12Getting a grip on gaits 12Jumping 13Adjusting to Advanced Riding 13Stepping up your current riding routine 14Buying your own horse 14Looking after your horse 14Enjoying Fun and Games on Horseback 15Chapter 2: Head to Hoof: The Mind and Mechanics of a Horse 17Understanding How Horses Think 18Getting a grip on equine society 18Interpreting equine expressions 18Getting along with horses 20Examining the Equine Body 22The parts of a horse 22The height of a horse 23The buildup: Horse conformation 24Stepping out: The gaits of a horse 24Colors and markings 27Sifting through Breed Differences 30Realizing that breed may matter 30Picking through popular breeds 30Chapter 3: School’s in Session: Taking Riding Lessons 35Finding the Best Stable for Your Needs 36The initial search: Identifying stables in your area 36Your major: Finding a school that offers your discipline 36Campus visit: Evaluating stables with a sharp eye 37Choosing an Instructor or Trainer 38Deciding between a riding instructor and a horse trainer 39Understanding what to look for in an instructor or trainer 39When you strike out with stables: Seeking out a different teacher 40Getting the Most from Your Lessons 41Deciding between individual and group lessons 41Setting up your lesson schedule 42Working with your instructor or trainer 43Chapter 4: Mind and Body: Conditioning Yourself for Riding 47Understanding Why You Need to Condition Yourself 47Getting into Riding Shape 48Lightening the load: Shedding those extra pounds 48Developing endurance with aerobic exercise 50Building strength 50Cross-training: Practicing yoga and Pilates for flexibility and strength 53Stretching yourself: Increasing flexibility just before you mount 53Preparing Your Mind 57Knowing your role as the horse’s leader 57Banishing your fear 58Chapter 5: Safety First: Protecting Yourself around Horses 61Dressing the Part with Safe Clothing 62Covering your head 62Slipping into the right shirt 64Protecting your legs 64These boots are made for riding: Donning the right footwear 65Removing your jewelry 66Keeping a Close Eye on Horses When You’re on the Ground 66Being in close confines with a horse 66Moving around a tied horse 67Identifying dangerous horse moves 68Staying Secure on a Horse 69Checking your tack before you saddle up 69Riding with others 70Hitting the trail by yourself 71Part 2: Getting Set with the Right Riding Style and Gear 73Chapter 6: Off into the Sunset: Western Riding 75Looking at the Nitty-Gritty of Western Riding 75Uses 76Tack and apparel 76The horses 77The ride 77Checking Out Western Riding Activities 78Hitting the trail 78Horsing around at shows 78Working with cattle 81Chapter 7: Not Just for the Brits: English Riding 83Examining the Basics of English Riding 83Uses 84Tack and apparel 84The horses 85Brushing Up on the Basic English Styles 86Jumping in hunt seat and riding on the flat 86Making moves in dressage 87Chapter 8: Dressing Up Horses with Saddles 89Going Over the Basic Makeup of a Saddle 90The Heavy Hitters: Western Saddles 91The pleasure saddle 92The barrel racing saddle 93The roping saddle 94The trail saddle 95On the Smaller Side: English Saddles 96The all-purpose saddle 97The close-contact saddle 97The dressage saddle 99Setting Yourself Up with Saddle Pads 99Playing Matchmaker as You Fit Saddles 101Fitting a horse 101Fitting yourself 103Chapter 9: Getting a Heads-Up on Bridles 105Breaking Down the Basic Parts of a Bridle 105Gearing Up with Western Bridles and Bits 107Looking at Western headstalls 107Gaining leverage with Western bits 108Nosing around hackamores 110Examining English Bridles and Bits 111Discovering English headstalls 111Directing attention to English bits 112Chapter 10: Equipping Yourself with Other Important Gear 115Dressing in High Style 115Choosing clothes for safety and comfort 116Following tradition: Western dress 117Staying conservative: English dress 119Reviewing Artificial Aids 123A leg up: Spurs 123Tap it out: Whips 124Part 3: Settling into the Saddle and Easing into Riding 127Chapter 11: Working from the Ground, Saddling, and Bridling 129Handling Horses from the Ground 130Play catch: Approaching horses 130Buckle up: Haltering horses 131Follow me: Leading horses 133Take care of loose ends: Tying horses 134Putting on a Saddle Properly 137Western saddles 138English saddles 140Saving the Bridling for Last 143Chapter 12: Mounting and Dismounting 147Get Set: Preparing to Mount 147Checking tack 148Choosing a mounting location 148Get on Up: The Mechanics of Mounting 150Western mounting 150English mounting 152Wrap It Up: Preparing to Dismount 155Get Down: The Mechanics of Dismounting 155Western dismounting 156English dismounting 158Chapter 13: Enjoying the Walk 161Body Language: Helping Your Riding with the Natural Aids 162Your hands 162Your legs 162Your seat 163Your voice 163Asking a Horse to Go for a Walk 163Western cues 164English requests 164Riding the Walk in Western 164Positioning your body 165Trying your hand at holding the reins 166Putting your legs in position 167Moving with the Western horse 168Riding the Walk in Hunt Seat 168Positioning your body 169With both hands: Holding the reins 169Putting your legs in position 169Moving with the hunt seat horse 170Riding the Walk in Dressage 170Positioning your body 170Get a grip: Holding the reins 171Putting your legs in position 171Moving with the dressage horse 172Maneuvering the Horse at the Walk 172Pulling out all the stops 172Turning left and right 173Circling the horse 176In reverse: Calling for backup 179Trying a Couple of Walking Exercises 181Using barrels in Western riding 181Crazy eights: Turning a figure eight in English riding 183Chapter 14: Bumping Up Your Skills with the Jog or Trot 185Asking the Horse to Pick Up the Pace 186Western jog requests 186English trot cues 186Riding the Jog in Western 187Positioning your body 187Holding the reins in Western 188Putting your legs in position 188Moving with the Western horse 189Riding the Trot in Hunt Seat 189Positioning your body 189Holding the reins 190Positioning your legs in hunt seat 190Moving with the hunt seat horse 190Riding the Trot in Dressage 193Positioning your body 193Holding the reins 193Putting your legs in dressage position 194Moving with the dressage horse 194Maneuvering the Horse at the Jog or Trot 196Stopping the horse 196Turning left and right 197Circling the horse 200Trying Some Exercises 202Following a serpentine pattern in Western riding 202Circling jump poles in English riding 204Chapter 15: Getting on the Fast Track with the Lope or Canter 207Cueing the Horse to Lope or Canter 208Western: Telling your horse you want to lope 208English: Requesting a canter 208Riding the Lope in Western 209Positioning your body for Western 209Holding the reins 210Putting your legs in loping position 211Moving with the Western horse 211Riding the Canter in Hunt Seat 211Positioning your body for hunt seat 212Holding the reins 212Putting your legs in cantering position 213Moving with the hunt seat horse 213Riding the Canter in Dressage 214Positioning your body for dressage 214Holding the reins 215Putting your legs in position 215Moving with the dressage horse 215Maneuvering the Horse at the Lope or Canter 216Whoa, Nelly! Stopping the horse 216Turning in an L-pattern 217Circling the horse 220Trying a Couple of Balancing Exercises 222Look, Ma, no hands! Western lunge line work 223One-handed English lunge line work 224Chapter 16: Making the Leap into Jumping 225Delving into Different Types of Jumping 226On the inside: Arena jumping 226Out there: Cross-country jumping 227Checking Out Types of Fences 228X marks the spot: Crossrails 229Get some air: Verticals 230Go the distance: Oxers 230Not as scary as they look: Walls 230A test of stamina: Cross-country jumps 231Making Your Way through the Jumping Process 231Practicing the two-point position 231Taking the leap 232Riding over Multiple Jumps 234Getting on the grid 235Staying in line 236Being on course 236Overcoming Jumping Problems 237Refusing to jump 238Running out 239Rushing 239Part 4: Riding into Advanced Pastures 241Chapter 17: Graduating to the Next Level of Riding 243Finding a New Instructor or Trainer 243Switching Disciplines 245Growing Stronger with Advanced Conditioning 245Improving Your Balance and Timing 246Chapter 18: Taking the Plunge by Buying a Horse 249Deciding Whether to Get a Horse of Your Own 249Understanding ownership realities 250Totaling costs 250Figuring Out What Kind of Horse to Buy 254Recognizing the ideal equine personality type 254Taking age into account 254Considering your riding discipline 255Determining your interest in competition 255Checking out breeds 256Thinking about gender 256Walking through the Horse-Buying Process 257Finding help upfront 257Looking in all the right places 258Having a horse undergo a pre-purchase exam 260Chapter 19: Exploring Horse Care 263Gimme Shelter: Proper Horse Housing 263Getting on board with commercial boarding facilities 264No place like home: Keeping your horse on your own property 265Chow Time: Dealing with Your Horse’s Hunger and Thirst 267Feeding your horse 268Watering your horse 269Hey, Good Lookin’: Grooming Your Horse 269Getting into gear 270Brushing your horse 271The horse wash: Scrubbing down 273A Little TLC: Maintaining Your Horse’s Health 275Providing preventive care 275Recognizing signs of illness 279Checking out common ailments 279Part 5: Having Fun with Other Styles and Activities 283Chapter 20: Step Up: Riding Gaited Horses 285Defining the Four-Beat Gait 285Checking Out Breeds Who Display Fancy Footwork 287Riding a Gaited Horse 289Positioning your body 289Holding the reins 290Putting your legs in position 290Moving with the gaited horse 290Chapter 21: Don’t Fence Me In: Trail Riding 291Preparing for a Trail Ride 292Using the right horse 292Deciding where to ride 293Gathering important gear 295Getting ready for a ride of any length 297Staying Safe on the Trail 298Following some important guidelines 298Handling spooks 299Happy Trails: Minding Your Manners 300Following etiquette when trail riding in a group 301Encountering other riders when you’re out alone 303Sharing the trail with non-riders 304Chapter 22: Show Off: Riding in Competition 307Understanding How Horse Shows Work 308Looking at the judging system 308An eye on the prize: Placings and awards 309Surveying Different Types of Shows 310Learning the ropes at schooling shows 310Raising the bar at rated shows 312Welcoming competition in open shows 313Focusing on breed shows 313Exploring specialty shows 314Gearing Up for a Horse Show 315Preparing yourself 315Preparing your horse 317Displaying Good Manners at Horse Shows 319Behaving yourself 319Handling your horse appropriately 320Chapter 23: Even More Riding Styles and Activities 321The Road Less Ridden: Trying Other Disciplines 321Holding on with bareback 322Getting your kicks in saddle seat 323Sidesaddle: A feminine tradition 324Horseplay: Surveying Sports, Exhibitions, and Other Equine Activities 326Taking part in trail events 326Playing polo, the sport of kings 329Vaulting into gymnastics 329Drilling on horseback 331Riding in parades 332Reenacting history 333Traveling with a Horse 333Field trips: Exploring faraway trails 334Vacationing with your mount 334Moving your horse with a trailer 336Part 6: The Part of Tens 341Chapter 24: Ten Rules of Riding Etiquette 343Tie a Red Ribbon on a Kicker’s Tail 343Go Slowly after You Mount 344Communicate with Your Fellow Riders 344Avoid Hollering 344Keep a Safe Distance from Others 345Approach Courteously from the Rear 345Pass Left Shoulder to Left Shoulder 345Prepare Your Horse for Trail Riding 346Be Courteous during Water Breaks on the Trail 346Help Others during Times of Trouble 347Chapter 25: Ten Horseback Games to Improve Your Riding 349Simon Says 349Ride-a-Buck 350Treasures on the Trail 350Magazine Race 350Ride and Tie 351Red Light, Green Light 351Follow the Leader 352Boot Bucket Race 352Egg and Spoon Carry 353Around the World 353Appendix: Resources for Riders 355Index 359