Important Horsemanship Rules You Need To Remember
Most people love spending time out in the great outdoors. Finding outdoor-themed activities that are both fun and interactive is something you should view as a priority. If you love horses and want to learn how to ride them, then finding the right instructor is crucial.
At the Saluti Equestrian Center, instructors Zachary and Kalea Leyden provide guidance and help to horseback riders in a variety of skill levels. If you are just beginning your horseback riding journey, then you need to work on adhering to a few basic guidelines. Read below for some horsemanship rules you need to remember while on the trail.
Motivate Your Horse To Work
Every year, over 7 million people in the United States go horseback riding. If you are starting to pursue your passion for horseback riding, you need to work on developing a good relationship with your animal. You and the horse you ride are a team. However, you need to make sure you are the leader of the team. When you give your horse a command, you want them to respond positively.
Being too forceful with your spurs can make your horse apprehensive and stubborn. This is why you need to work on building a relationship with your horse that is based on teamwork and trust. You want the horse you ride to perform because they want to, not because they have to. The more time you spend with your horse, the easier it will be to build a good relationship with them.
Don’t Be Afraid Just Be Cautious
Climbing on top of a horse for the first time can be a bit stressful. Horses are extremely intuitive animals and can pick up on the emotions of the person riding them. If a horse senses that you are afraid, it will also become frightened. A frightened horse can be extremely dangerous, which is why you need to work on remaining calm.
Instead of showing that you are scared, you need to put on a happy face. However, you should always remain cautious when riding a horse. Dealing with a large animal can be unpredictable, which is why you need to always be thinking a step ahead. Learning how to handle things like a bucking horse will be much easier if you seek out professional instruction.
Make Sure Your Horse is Properly Hydrated
Did you realize that the average horse drinks around ten gallons of water a day? When the weather outside starts to warm up, a horse can drink a lot more water. If a horse isn’t provided with enough water, it will become fatigued, stiff and weak. This is why you need to stop for plenty of water breaks when on a ride with your horse. You also need to make sure they get plenty of hay and grain. Ideally, your horse needs to eat one to three percent of its body weight in hay daily.
By implementing these horsemanship tips, you can keep yourself and your horse safe during a ride.