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Permalink Reply by Barbara F. on March 27, 2009 at 5:05pm

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1 Green riders and green horses are a bad combination - Choose a horse to match your riding skill level. Be honest with yourself, just because you want to be a great rider doesn't mean that you are a great rider!

Which brings us to point #2

2 The best and safest way to learn to ride (or learn to ride better) is with an experienced riding instructor or coach. I've been riding extensively for years (15 years actually) and I still make it a point to take lessons. There's always something to learn.

3 Wear a riding helmet. I wish the Darwin Awards listed the numerous rider fatalities due to head injuries. No, you won't look like the Marlboro man on your horse. But then again the Marlboro man wouldn't be quite so cool if he hit his head and then drooled for the rest of his life. Wear the cowboy hat when you're NOT on your horse. Read my helmet review here.

4 Wear sturdy boots with little tread and a heel. You can also use safety stirrups or tapaderos. When things get "exciting" you don't want to be attached to your horse. If your foot goes all the way through the stirrup you could be in for a very bad time. Trying to use your body as a horse anchor isn't effective.
5 Always ride in control. Just like cars and mountain bikes, things get more and more dicey the faster you go. It's amazing just how fast an accident can occur.

6 Leave an itinerary of your route and the approximate time you'll be returning with a responsible person. Don't make the folks at home worry if you don't have to!

7 Carry a cell phone on you. It doesn't have to be turned on and will be quite useful when you need it.

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