Riding a horse

laissez-faire

laissez-faire

laissez-faire

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This is quite funny really, sure many people have been in similar situations, but stupidly exagerrated my horse riding skills to a girl and now she wants to go riding with me....

I mean it, I can ride, but I haven't since I was about 11 years old. It really can't be that hard though, can it?

Sam
 
Its not all that difficult, depending on what type of riding you will be doing.

If you are just hacking out either on quiet local roads, or a bridleway, then you'll have no issue. If she wants to take you through a forest or anywhere that involves jumping, you may struggle somewhat.
 
Riding a horse without the need to canter is pretty easy. Cantering is the hard part. You steer with your legs and pull the reigns to slow down/stop.

Riding a horse can be darn dangerous though.
 
Can't be as difficult as blagging a job interview so well that you actually get the job. Then on your first day at work it suddenly dawns on you that the job is nigh on impossible to do due to your complete lack of expertise in the required field.

Clarification: It wasn't me! :)
 
Yeah I used to ride quite a lot when I was younger, my parents have always had horses.... just haven't ridden for over a decade so might take a wee sneaky refresher course somewhere beforehand!

With most things these days I take the attitude that if I can survive a hit from a car going 25mph I can survive anything!

Things I have forgotten:

How many fingers to hold the reins with
The command for jump (or does the horse just see it and then not canter straight into it)
Just generally how hard to pull on the bit etc
What to do with the whip?
 
Dup said:
Riding a horse can be darn dangerous though.
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No ****! When I was in the scouts I went on an adventure weekend which included horse riding. The horse I was given was retarded and instead of following the other horses through a gate decided to drive straight in the wall next to the gate :/

They're all nutters, don't trust them!
 
laissez-faire said:
Things I have forgotten:

How many fingers to hold the reins with
The command for jump (or does the horse just see it and then not canter straight into it)
Just generally how hard to pull on the bit etc
What to do with the whip?
Click to expand...

If you are going to take a sneaky refresher then surely the instructor will tell you all about it? Dunno where you are planning to go but there is/was a stables along the Mortonhall Road near the golfcourse that used to offer lessons.

And from what I recall the answers would be:
Three over the top of the reins, pinky tucked under and thumb free to grip.
The horse should see but a slight kick/pressure from the legs and let the horse have the head slightly - it has been a very long time so I'm not too certain here.
It depends on the bit as paradigm says but also on the horses mouth, some don't respond very well to anything other than quite strong pressure and others are much more sensitive.
Leave it behind as said.
 
To hold the reins its 3 holding with thumb on top, pinky underneath.
The horse will jump naturally just let the reins slide loose.
Don't use a whip, don't even bother taking one.
From what I can remember the reins should be loose enough that the horse can move it's head, I think your hands should be about 5 or 6 inches above the loop but it does depend on the bit as previously said.

I've not been riding for 10 years though so I'm probably talking rubbish!!
 
Pigeon_Killer said:
No ****! When I was in the scouts I went on an adventure weekend which included horse riding. The horse I was given was retarded and instead of following the other horses through a gate decided to drive straight in the wall next to the gate :/

They're all nutters, don't trust them!
Click to expand...

My gf has two horses and other one due in June. I have been kicked, stood on and squashed. It's all part of the upkeep. The mare ran to the open stable when I first rode her.

The problem with horses is that they are very clever and it's all about bonding with them. They are all quite individual which makes them unpredictable.
 
Dup said:
The problem with horses is that they are very clever and it's all about bonding with them. They are all quite individual which makes them unpredictable.
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Hmm, not convinced here, I'll give you the individuality and bonding parts but I've met more than a few horses that I'd consider to be on a mental par with the fencepost they've just tried to eat.
 
My ex took me horse riding in turkey, I'd done it years ago but I went through a jump on the underside of a horse (slipped off and got my boot caught in a stirrup) so I was a bit reluctant. However I clearly did the manly thing and went along with it, however I couldn't quite get the hang of "riding with the horse" when cantering. As a result I trapped a nerve in my back about halfway through the trip. Jesus it was agony, she though I was smiling but I was gritting my teeth through pain.

My advice, go, just don't canter.....

Aero

(On a side note the cantering wasn't my idea, the guide thought it would be fun....)
 
semi-pro waster said:
Hmm, not convinced here, I'll give you the individuality and bonding parts but I've met more than a few horses that I'd consider to be on a mental par with the fencepost they've just tried to eat.
Click to expand...

I heard somewhere the other day a horse is about intelligent as a neon tetra... I'll try and find a source....

Aero
 
I thought you were talking about experiences with women after 10 pints but seeing as I'm wrong, I'll bow out here...
 
Only been horse riding once in my life, and NEVER AGAIN.

Rode on a horse that positively compulsive about being next to another one of the group. While it was a fantastic display of the more social aspects of horses, it was terrifying for me as this beast with me on it would continually bolt towards the front of the pack to be with this other horse. Arrrrghghhhghg!
 
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