Before you arrive at Middleton Equestrian for your trail ride, we have a few tips on what attire you should don.
Must-Haves When horseback riding, it is best to wear pants that cover the entirety of your leg. This prevents hardware from your tack chafing or rubbing against your skin and causing irritation. Close-toed shoes are also important because you want to protect your feet and toes from getting hurt by the stirrups or limbs that brush along the trail-line. Close-toes shoes also protect your foot if mistakenly stepped on by a horse. Along with your shoes being close-toed, having a bit of a heel will also help you control your foot placement during the ride. We have discussed this importance in previous blogs, if you would like to learn more by reading those! General Clothing Choices When choosing what attire to wear, remember to avoid clothing that could tangle within the tack. These could be items such as scarfs, loose shirts, and even long loose sleeves. Tack We provide each rider the proper safety gear, such as helmets, before the trail ride begins. We hope to see you in your close-toed shoes, pants, and comfortable shirt ready to go when you arrive for your trail ride soon!
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When you ask your children what their favorite animal is, do they exclaim "horses!"? Does your son or daughter have a love for horses that they know just about every horse fact they can? If so, we have a few more facts about horses you and your kids should know!
Horses have the ability to sleep standing up! While it might not be fun if you try it, horses can get a great night's sleep standing as they can lying cozily on the ground! Horses have roughly 205 bones that make up their skeleton. The skeletal system is known as the foundation of anatomy! Have you ever looked a horse in the eyes? Did you notice how big they were? They are known to have the largest eyes out of all the mammals that live on land! Because their eyes are located on the side of their head, horses are capable of seeing nearly 360 degrees at a single time! Horses are interesting and lovely creatures! If your kids are obsessed with them, come and participate in our beautiful and fun trail rides! When preparing for a trail ride, it is important to know some riding information before getting on a horse. In this blog, we will be discussing a general overview on a trail ride and what to expect from your experience.
Create the Outfit Wear long pants and closed-toe shoes when preparing for your trail ride here at Middleton Equestrian Center, and we will provide the helmet. Meet your Horse We will provide you a moment to meet and greet the horse you will be riding on the guided tour. This will help familiarize the horse with who will be riding them. Riding Lesson with Guide Don't worry about not knowing how to ride, our guides provide a 5-10 minute instruction on how to ride. This instruction includes many important aspects such as turning, going forward, right, left, and halting. Our team at Middleton want to ensure your trail ride is as safe as possible. Mounting For those who are not familiar with mounting a horse, this may be a stressful part of the riding process. There is no need to worry, our team will help you mount your horse with confidence. Relax your body Now that you have mounted your horse, there is a matter of sitting appropriately. Keep your back straight, yet relaxed while on your horse. Use the Reins Gently No matter the riding style, be sure to relax your arms and refrain from pulling in a manner that would hurt your horse. By forming your arms in a right angle, the reins will land appropriately with your horse. Eye on the Prize When riding a horse, it is best to look at the trail between your horse's ears. This will ensure that you are paying attention to where your horse is stepping. Connect with your Horse Riding, in a way, is forming a connection with your horse. By staying calm and moving your body along with the movement of your horse, your riding experience will be relaxing and enjoyable for both of you. Time to Dismount When the trail ride has completed the trail guide, or a member of the staff, will assist you in dismounting your horse. They will keep your horse still as you remove both feet out of the stirrups, lean forward, swing the appropriate foot and leg over the horse, and jump off. Keep in mind to dismount in a fashion that keeps your horse comfortable. Thank your Horse Nothing says you enjoyed your ride more than a sweet thank you to the horse who safely transported you from beginning to end. If you are thinking about going for a trail ride, come and check out Middleton Equestrian Center! In order to ride your horse safely, your tack equipment needs to be properly placed on your horse. To check this, there are a few steps to follow!
Take a look at your straps and billets. These are the elements of tack that you don't want to malfunction. If there are noticeable wear and tear clues such as holes or rips, this can cause a disaster during your ride. Check places where metal and leather meet on your tack. These sections of the tack have a tendency to wear down quickly and should be checked. Studs and screws hold tack together and are important in keeping things where they need to be. Check them to make sure they are tightly in place. At Middleton Equestrian, we ensure the safety of all riders. Our tack is safe to use, and we will instruct you before your ride to keep you safe the entire time. This blog is simply to educate individual riders who ride their horses at home. If you and your family are interested in our trail rides and learning more about horses, feel free to contact us! When it comes to riding horses, there are right and wrong ways of going about it. The important aspect of riding a horse is to keep you and your horse safe and comfortable at all times. In this blog, we will cover some of the mistakes the first time riders make when riding their horse.
Gripping with Your Legs While you do want to stay sturdy on your horse, you don't want your leg muscles constricting around the horse you are riding. In order to prevent this, allow your legs to hang from your hip when you are on top of the horse. Image a straight line from your ear down your body to the heel in the stirrup. Tip Toes There are times during a ride where you have the desire to point your toes downward. If you do so, this will cause you to be out of rhythm with your horse, and you will bounce heavily. To prevent this, take some time to work on your leg position and use your core muscles. Slouching Posture is important for horseback riding and is a way to keep in control of your horse safely. In order to not slouch, keep your back straight and relaxed with your chin up and look where you are going. While these are the most common problems new riders face, there are more we did not cover. If you want to enjoy a trail ride, call and sign up today! We will give you a training lesson before the trail ride to ensure you are safe and riding well! |
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January 2021
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