Horse riding is one of the most popular disciplines among children and adults who want to immerse themselves in this exciting world that provides an excellent environment to connect with nature and horses. Riding lessons are an excellent entry point to start practising this activity and get all the benefits it has to offer.
At Equspaddock, as equestrian experts, we bring you this fantastic guide so you can learn all you need to know about horse riding lessons, the types that exist and the benefits it can bring to your life.
What are horse riding lessons?
Riding lessons are the gateway for people of all ages and experience to learn how to ride a horse and experience all kinds of experiences and therapies to create a bond with the animal.
In these types of classes you will learn various practices to understand the behaviour of the horse, the tools and equipment used for different equestrian disciplines and connect in a unique way with the wonderful equine world.
Benefits of learning to ride horses
Primarily, learning to ride a horse has great benefits for an individual’s motor skills and developing an emotional and mental connection with the animal can bring great benefits of its own. This learning experience can offer you these great advantages regardless of your age, condition or level:
- Physical development: riding lessons are an excellent activity for improving physical aspects such as balance on top of the horse, developing greater balance and increasing physical strength.
- Mental development: another remarkable aspect is the improvement in the ability to manage stress, improve self-confidence, as well as fostering the patience and concentration required on the part of the rider to be able to make quick decisions.
Different types of riding lessons
There are a variety of riding lessons to choose from depending on your ability and starting level. Some of the most popular riding lessons include the following:
- Beginner classes: these types of classes are aimed at the first levels of initiation into the world of horse riding. They teach basic and fundamental aspects such as how to place the saddle and how to communicate effectively with the horse.
- Intermediate classes: in this case, the riders who participate in this type of classes already have basic experience, so they are oriented towards perfecting the dressage technique and practising more advanced exercises.
- Advanced classes: at this level, the classes are aimed at people who are looking to professionalise their style in order to participate in equestrian competitions or events and focus on a specific discipline, such as jumping or dressage.
- Dressage classes: Dressage is focused on the knowledge and teaching of techniques and movements adapted to this discipline that encourage a connection between rider and horse that is full of harmony and elegance.
- Jumping classes: these classes of skill, concentration and discipline require specific knowledge aimed at understanding the correct position for jumping, approach techniques and jumping over obstacles.
- Therapeutic lessons: there are also riding lessons for people with special needs and the horse is used as a therapist to help patients connect in a unique way with the animal and improve physical, emotional and mental aspects.
First riding lesson
The first riding lesson is an exciting experience, full of emotions and expectations on the part of the novice rider who is looking forward to that first moment of connection with the horse.
If this is your first riding lesson, fear not, here are a few points about what to expect on your first day in the equestrian world:
- First encounter with the horse: the first thing you will learn in a riding lesson is the importance of getting to know the horse well and taking the first steps to establish a connection with this fascinating animal.
- Basic techniques: the instructor who will be teaching the class will highlight and teach fundamental aspects that should be reinforced from the very first class. Understanding the signals given by the horse, learning all the necessary equipment for riding and adapting your body posture in every situation with the animal, are basic requirements that you can learn in your first encounter with this discipline.
Tips for choosing a good riding school
At Equspaddock, we understand the importance of selecting a good riding school depending on your starting level. To do this, you should be clear about the experience of the instructor giving the lessons, the level of the facilities and that they meet all the quality standards and that the school offers the courses you are most interested in so that you can benefit from an outstanding equestrian education.
