[Closed] I'm going Horse-riding - any tips?

Keep flash-bangs well away.

DON'T post any pics of your jodhpurs.

I'm going to dress like this

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enjoy rising trot!

be prepared to not be able to walk tomorrow

Dare anyone mention a helmet/hat/skullcap or whatever that lot use?

Its booked for a weeks time- I'm just absolutely excited about it. Always wanted to try it. I'm going with two girls who grew up riding horses so I can imagine there will be a bit of laughing at me going on

I know you said you were not getting on with your five spot but a horse 😮

I've always wanted to say to a horse: "Fancy a swap?"

...and when the rider replies "Oh, no thanks!"

I reply: "I wasn't talking to you; I was talking to your horse!"

......but I haven't got the balls.

It's like riding a motorbike across a ploughed field with somebody else working the throttle. IMO the best tip is to hold on as tight as possible and try not to scream if it goes fast.

Or ride a bike.

🙂

Get some before you go, you won't be wanting any for a while after 😉

Don't eat a McDonalds before hand or you may bonk after 5 mins 🙄

Horses are more expensive than bikes. Be warned.

You won't like the colour / saddle / grips / ride and want another one. Probably.

Remember, if you feel like you are lacking in the skills department, it will be the horses, and not your, fault.

I was thinking of taking an apple. Good idea emsz?

You know how you're irrationally worried about biting insects?

Well, those big horse flies can smell a nervous townie a mile away, they'll be homing in on you as soon as you get out of the car 😀

take bibs and plenty of Asos 😆

this was me after 4 hours riding through Death Valley in the Atacama desert. I felt like I was walking like that for a week afterwards too 😳

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[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/krharris80/6197450626/ ]HorseRidingLegs[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/krharris80/ ]KeithHarris[/url], on Flickr

uplink I know- tucking socks in, gloves and neck covered!

Be prepared for it to HURT!

yep apples good, relax, use your legs for stop and go, and your hands to steer, heels down, lean slightly back, don't wear jeans. Have fun!

Brill. Obviously hand open flat when feeding and stroke its face looking at it (well I imagine thats good).

don't believe your friends when they tell you that you have to wear knee boots and not the horse 🙂

I fell for that one!

Be nice to the horse! Don't grab the reins in a death grip if you're going too fast or jab your heels hard into it's sides if you want to go faster.

Otherwise, as Emsz said, use your legs more than your hands, keep the stirrup on the ball of your foot and your heels down (trust me, if you come off you really don't want your foot to be trapped in the stirrup!), relax and go with the rhythm.

Oh and yes, afterwards you will hurt, and won't be getting up to any other 'riding' for a few days 🙂

* Don't wear jeans, it'll hurt like hell.
* Horses are empathic animals and can usually tell if you're scared.
* Don't let them eat stuff in the hedge.
* Heels down is for also for balance, not to prevent your foot being caught. You'll probably have safety-stirrups anyway.
* Wear decent fly repellant if it's warm.
* Get the rising trot nailed.
* Don't ride over drains - metal on metal is slippery.

To get on:

Stand on the horse's left side, facing backwards. Left foot in stirrup, left hand on pommel of saddle and loose grip on reins. Right hand on back of saddle. Hop with your right foot and swing into the saddle. Do not kick the horse on the arse while you do this.

Get a big horse - much better view 😉

make sure you get one with the right head angle.

Do not kick the horse on the arse while you do this.

I laughed when I read that. A sort of nervous snort as I realised the horse might be abit 😯 startled

Don't comment on the size of its willy (if it's a man horse). Horses hate that.

When you say you're going horse-riding, isn't that like someone who can't ride a bike saying they're going for a bike ride? If your friends grew up riding horses they may have forgotten that it's a skill that needs learning...

Never mind an apple it's a six shooter you need the cowboys didn't carry guns for protection it was to stop the mad beast they were sitting on 😀

+1 on asos cream and bib shorts, in fact two pairs of shorts. It WILL hurt.

Don't churn up the bl00dy bridleways.

Keep a tube of bostick on you. If it starts playing up wave it in front of it's eyes to show it who's boss. " anymore of that and this is what you'll be mr Edd."

horse riding? a neurotic small brained half ton animal prone to acts of stupidity.
you think putting that on a horse is a good idea?

When they poo you can sit, for a wee, stand up.

Same as riding a bike really, except with no suspension.

Don't.
That is all.

Love all the sensible comments from the girls and comments of 'don't do it' from the boys. You will love it I'm sure, you are high up which is a bit scary but if you are going with people who know what they are doing you will be fine 🙂

If you are going on a trek through a trek typy company the horses will be completely used to people who don't know what they are doing and look after you anyway. Just remember, you are the boss and if you act like the boss, the horse will obey! Mostly.

Rumour has it you're always feeding the horse through the letterbox Hora.

Is the horse just to complete the Brokeback Mountain look Hora

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I'll keep it basic,

head goes at the front

Identify the easiest-on-the-eye rider in the group and ensure you are behind her for the duration...

been waiting for binners to come along and point out that whatever horse Hora gets given to ride will be wrong for many reasons and will need replacing many times over in the quest for the perfect horse.

PS - huge billowy white shirt with high collar, tightish trousers for the Mr Darcy look...

hora would never get my look 🙂

Get to make some use of those boots you bought at last! Make sure you tuck the jeans inside for full effect.

Only been once. By the time I had got back, my face had swollen up, my eyes were streaming and i couldnt breath freely. Worse allergic reaction to anything I ever had

It was worth it though, just for the look on my mate's face when his beast did a runner with him on it. I am grinning now recounting 🙂

The horse is reinforced yes? 🙂

I believe the stables has reserved the Shire horse for hora.

I'll re-iterate the advice; no jeans! Wear some cycling liners, they do help. See if you can borrow some chaps (the lower leg only type) as they will help prevent your trousers rubbing against your legs if you try trotting. Boots with a heel are best, if you wear shoes/trainers the stirrup may work its way over the tongue/laces of your shoe and sit against your leg which is uncomfortable, and dangerous as if you fall off you may get dragged if your foot wont come out! I stopped wearing my steel capped work boots for the same reason, they were too wide for the stirrups and wouldn't come out easily if I fell off.

Never ever lean back if the horse decides to go under a low branch, always lean forwards. Hug the neck and put your head down one side of the neck if you really think you are going to get taken off!