The title may sound strange, normally you hear about the three gaits of the horse: walk, trot and gallop. In reality, there are variants of these gaits that for some breeds are innate, for others a training course must be faced. Some horses, such as the Peruvian Paso Fino, are able to perform a particular trot, called ambio, which occurs for lateral rather than diagonal bipeds (trot). The result is a faster pace, more comfortable for the rider who, in this way, is not forced to undergo the oscillations of the normal trot. The tolt is the fast variant of the amble, typical of Icelandic ponies. For a beginner, being able to ride a horse that is naturally predisposed to amble is certainly an advantage: if you are fascinated by the proud appearance of the riders and want to try, you don't necessarily have to be a professional to enjoy a nice walk. Horses that have been given good training are the ideal companions for riding. Find out about the equestrian centers in your area, what they offer and what breeds of horses they have available: you will surely find the place that most inspires you to start. Posture is essential, both for riding in comfort and for communicating with the horse and taking it for a walk. Maybe, without much effort, you too will look like a skilled knight!
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Prepare to Ride
Step 1. Start by deciding if you want to ride a particular breed
Below, you will find some general indications to orient yourself a little between some breeds with 4-5 gaits:
- American from Sella, renowned for his style and good temperament;
- Missouri Fox Trotter, known for his stamina, used for walking or farm work;
- Paso Fino, of which there are different bloodlines, generally used for shows or walks;
- Tennessee Walker, with quick movements and a balanced temperament.
Step 2. Before you go out for a walk, take a few lessons
Once you have chosen the horse, try to find a riding school or an equestrian club that has specimens of the chosen breed available, in order to know its characteristics.
A good preparation, followed by a professional instructor, will give you the opportunity to become familiar with the horse and thus feel safer while hiking. Don't think of lessons as a waste of time or a way to learn only the "tricks of the trade"; working with the horse will be instructive at 360 degrees and will allow you to establish a relationship of mutual trust
Step 3. The choice of the horse is fundamental
Many times it is the instructor himself who recommends one, but if you have a lot of freedom of choice, try to find a horse with which you feel more close. Oriented on horses already trained, with a calm temperament and suitable for walks.
If you choose a horse that puts you at ease and with which you feel a certain "feeling", it will be an extraordinary experience. If the trust and pleasure of being together is mutual, the horse will not try to unseat you, bite you or tease you all the time. A ride must be fun for both: horse and rider
Step 4. Bring your saddle and bridle
Generally, in a riding school the horses are prepared by the "experts" or in any case the finishes are provided by them, but if this were not the case, keep in mind that some breeds of horses have a fairly pronounced withers, so the saddle will be chosen. also based on this element. A tip, in this regard, is to evaluate saddles with a high saddle, but also pay attention to the weight of the saddle, in order to avoid excessive loads on the front and rear of the horse. The right saddle must be carefully sought, get advice from an expert because it is important to respect the horse and not make him suffer with inadequate saddles or harnesses.
The withers is the highest point of the back, located between the shoulder blades and the neck. To position the saddle, place it gently on the horse's back, starting right at the withers, then pull it slightly back towards the hindquarters, until you feel you have found the right position. This operation, with a used horse, will not give any problems; if, on the other hand, you notice discomfort or impatience on his part, try to fix the saddle better
Step 5. Now, it's time to head and bite
Also in this case, it is good to choose the finishes that best suit the horse, regardless of the breed and gait.
- Get advice from a professional or previous owner. The horse's mouth is very sensitive, so experiment and try different bites until you find the most suitable one: remember that if the horse is fine and has no discomfort, you both win.
- If you attend a course, you will not have to deal with the saddle, bit and harness as it will be the staff of the riding school who will manage them.
Method 2 of 3: Balance and Posture
Step 1. Saddle up
Approach the horse and stand on his left side. Holding the reins with your left hand, put your left foot into the stirrup and push yourself up, then lift your right leg to straddle and lean gently on the saddle.
If you ask someone to help you, especially the first few times, put your left foot in the stirrup and help yourself up by holding on to the saddle or knob (if you are using a American saddle). Bring your right leg to the other side and sit gently in the saddle
Step 2. Let your legs drop so that the position is natural
Don't squeeze your legs around the horse's body unless you want to tell him to go faster or run. The legs should rest on the hips without tension, the knees slightly tighter and the toes should be higher than the heels.
If you notice that you continue to rub the horse's hips with your legs, adjust the length of the stirrups
Step 3. In the saddle, maintain a correct position:
shoulders, hips and heels must be aligned to allow a better distribution of body weight so that the horse does not have to struggle to carry you on the back. To help you, think of an imaginary line that starts from the ear, passes through the shoulders, then through the hips and ends at the heel.
If you are not in the correct position, the horse will struggle to carry you around for a long time. You may notice a change in movement or gait on his part: it would be an attempt to adjust the weight, so help him
Step 4. Don't be tense, try to relax your back
Don't arch your back, keep your shoulders straight and that's it. If you ride with your back arched you will get very tired and will also make the horse tired.
The horse feels tension, so if you are nervous, tense, he will feel this sensation and may decide to accelerate and run
Method 3 of 3: Communicate with the Horse
Step 1. First, relax
It may seem strange advice, but it is, in reality, very apt for those who decide to start riding. The horse is able to perceive the state of mind of its rider, so if you are relaxed, he will be too and you will be able to communicate peacefully, both moving smoothly. If, on the other hand, the approach is anxious and tense, the horse will also show signs of nervousness and the walk will be a huge stress.
Step 2. Hold the reins firmly, but without pulling
The reins are used to communicate, not to cling to them, they must be left soft to allow the horse to move his head freely. He is aware of your presence, you don't need to be aggressive.
Communicates with gentle movements of the reins. Soft and delicate movements, as the horse can feel even the slightest vibrations of the reins. By continuing to pull on the reins, you will cause a desensitization of the horse's mouth that will no longer respond consistently to your requests
Step 3. It also helps communication with the body
By slightly shifting the weight of the body, moving the pelvis, you will be able to indicate the direction to the horse. If you move your weight forward, you tell him to move forward, while if you move him back, you tell him to move in that direction.
Don't be in a hurry, it takes time to learn and apply these techniques. Work closely with the horse to perfect communication
Step 4. Talk to your horse
Accompany your body movements with words or signals. You can use sounds or words to tell him to leave or stop, simple sounds like "oh" to stop or "go" to leave.
Remember the consistency between verbal language and body language. When the horse responds well to commands, remember to encourage him with a pat on the neck or a phrase such as "good / good"
Advice
- Take care of the horse. Look after him regularly, keep him clean and cared for, talk to him, ride him and pamper him.
- When you are familiar with the complete management of your horse and feel confident while riding, you can try participating in events or group rides. In addition to these activities you can undertake some sports competition, training your partner properly and teaching him some fun tricks.
Warnings
- Pay attention: horses with a 5 gait pace, especially younger ones, can turn out to be somewhat "peperini".
- Some of these breeds are often referred to as "warm blooded". These energetic horses, with the passing of age or due to great affinity with the rider, are excellent companions on walks and adventures, but for inexperienced riders they could be difficult to manage. Make sure you start your experience with a quiet, well-trained horse.
