I need to learn about Natural horsemanship and how to do it does anyone know anywhere I can do this for free and online?
Many very good trainers have posted videos on youtube. You will begin to see a reoccurring theme. This reoccurring theme is "horsemanship". Be weary of trainers who give equipment cutsie names instead of calling a tool what it is. This is done as a marketing ploy to sell things at an inflated price. Also be weary of trainers who don’t acknowledge that there is an element of risk to working with horses.
All great trainers have three things in common. They are Honest, HUMBLE and Humane.
Here are just a few to start with:
John Lyons, Klaus Ferdinand Hempfling, Buck Brannaman, Ray Hunt, Tom and Bill Dorrance.
People always say that you need to be physicall fit and healthy to take up horseback riding (and I agree) but just what constitutes good physical health and fitness for horseback riding how do you assess someone for it. I want to know if I am a good candidate for horseback riding. Thanks.
I am a hunter-jumper and cross country trainer for mainly children and if a child comes to my barn that is not physically active I tell the parents to go on a walk with them everyday for a month and then come back. It is not fair for the horse to have an unfit or extremely lazy person on his or her back. You also want to make sure you are on a horse of the right size for your weight. There really is nothing that is set as a standard so it depends on the trainer and the horses available.
Typically for adults in my program I require that they are of a healthy weight (not dangerously obese) and that they can handle taking a brisk walk for 30 minutes without stopping. The adults that want to be competitive riders with me have to be able to certain things on horseback before I allow them to show (ie. post the trot for 15 minutes without falling over dead, stay in jumping position for 30 minutes, ride a lesson without stirrups etc.)
My suggestions to you would be to take up Pilates, Yoga or another type of class that strengthens your core muscles. I do this and it is wonderful! Your core muscles make your back stronger and help to keep you balanced. If you aren’t coordinated or have difficulty balancing yourself you may have trouble riding. You will also need to work on strengthening your calf and thigh muscles. The easiest way to do this is to ride! The muscles you use during riding may be difficult to target in the gym so just get on a horse and figure what muscles in your legs you need to strengthen. Of course, going to the gym isn’t required but it is helpful! I host an exercise class at my barn that is free of charge for my riders. I like to keep them in tip top shape!
Horseback riding is a sport that requires mental and physical fitness. Contrary to popular beliefe, the horse doesn’t do ALL the work. Mentally you need to be able to get your horse set up in a way that will make things easier for both of you. You also need to be able to remember details on positions or riding patterns. I always give my riders 3 things to remember at a time. Once they master those 3 things without needing to remember them (they become muscle memory), they get 3 more things to try.
Find a local trainer and discuss what they require or prefer in new riders.
Posted by admin | Under Ridding Lesson
Tuesday Jul 28, 2009
okay, those of you who give western ridding lessons this is for you.
I have a girl that I have just started to give lessons to. I have rode my whole life so everything I do is natural to me. This girl challenges me because I don’t have the words to go with what I know in my head and I have to really think about everything. How do you explain hand position, seat, leg position? I can’t seem to tell her the right way and it bothers me. What do you do for a beginer? How long do you do the same thing? Things like this are what I don’t know. Anything you can tell me to help would be greatly appriciated!
Fireflyy…I know the basics for me…like I said, I can’t get it out of my head into words. That is why I am asking on here. I get your point but I can teach her! Thanks
Great answers, thank ya’ll so much. This being my first one, I was just not sure how to go about it. I like the idea of an easy reining pattern to learn. And the egg, didn’t think of that. She has never rode before so she would not understand english vs western. I have put her on bareback to get the feel of how pressure can move the horse and for balance! That does work!!
I have given children riding lessons for 25 years, and at first I could not relate either. So, the best way to teach them is to show them. I have them halt, then I position their body the way it should be, put their hands and legs in the right position, lean them forward or back…it works well. Then, I lunge them a whole lot, without stirrups and reins and have them hold the horn or pommel.
I ask them to ride alot with their eyes closed while on the lunge line and immediately, when they close their eyes, they sit upright and follow the motion.
Repetition is the key, you have to tell them over and over and over, don’t loose your patience, ever. Make a game of things, have them ride with a hard boiled egg in a spoon, etc, to teach them balance. And don’t work them too long, most kids, until 13 or so, can only pay attention for 20 minutes at a time (more or less).
Work on one thing at a time then move on, don’t overwhelm them.
Posted by admin | Under riding camp
Tuesday Jul 28, 2009
I am going to camp conrad weiser’s all level riding camp in August, I just wanted to know if anyone here has been there and what you thought of the camp, thanks!
Thanks Meghan im gonna pick yur answer
I haven’t been to the camp, but I noticed you weren’t getting any answers so I thought I would just google the camp and tell you my thoughts on it.
Well, to begin here is the site if you haven’t already seen it: https://www.smymca.org/index.html
There are a lot of different divisions…. Is this the one you are doing specifically? https://www.smymca.org/ccw_riding.html
I think you get your own horse the whole time, so that is a plus.
I’m pretty sure it is english only, that’s what you want, right?
Expect a lot of people to be there, they have 24 new 14 person cabins!
that’s 336 people in the NEW CABINS alone.
https://www.smymca.org/misc_facilities.html
Thats just about all I could find out from the website. It looks like a lot of fun! I bet you will make a lot of friends and have a great time.
I want to try to build an up/down rocking horse ride like the coin operated ones in front of a store. What parts/tools do I need, and about how much would it cost?
If your asking, you probably don’t have the skills to even do so. Just go out and buy one. By the way, are you by any chance that crazy asian guy on youtube who rides on the "kiddie" rides? You are very odd.
Should i do english or western? I have gone to camp and stuff like that so i have ridden horses before. I have ridden both styles but only remember western. Which is easier? I want to start horseback riding classes but i dont know which style to try.
If you do not mind the harder one,, do English,,
It’s harder, but a bit more to it, and most western riders find it hard to ride English
But English riders can do both ,,
have fun
Posted by admin | Under riding camp
Tuesday Jul 28, 2009
One of the latest fitness crazes is the use of a mechanical riding machine that is supposed to strengthen and tone muscles in your back, hips, thighs, and butt. Evidently it has another use as well.
what is horseback riding really like? well if you think riding is fun it is. if you think riding is easy thats where you go wrong! it not. watch to find out why riding is fun but hard!
One of the latest fitness crazes is the use of a mechanical riding machine that is supposed to strengthen and tone muscles in your back, hips, thighs, and butt. Evidently it has another use as well.
Hadassah Optimal – Water Center
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