To someone who has never ridden a horse before, the whole thing may look trickier than it actually is. That isn’t to say that horse riding is as simple as hopping on and grabbing the reins, as there are quite a few mistakes beginners make that tend to make the process of learning more difficult than it needs to be. Keep reading to learn about some of the biggest mistakes that beginners make and how to avoid them.
Many beginners keep their hands and arms in the air, instinctively trying to balance themselves. While this may sound find, it will make the reins too long, which in turn will give the rider limited control over the horse. This can be fixed by keeping a solid grip on the reins at hip level.
Another common mistake is when riders tense their leg muscles and grip the horse too tightly. If you continually clench your legs against the horse’s body, it may affect their movements, and not in an ideal way. Instead of gripping your legs tightly against the house, you should let your legs hang loosely while at the same time keeping them straight down instead of swinging.
Finally, one of the last common mistakes made by beginners is slouching while riding. This makes it very difficult to control the horse, and it won’t give you great balance. Try sitting up straight for the best riding experience, but you don’t need a constant, rigid posture.
Follow these suggestions to avoid some of the most common mistakes made by beginner riders, and you will be well on your way towards becoming a horse riding expert!