| Like any new sport you learn, there always mixed | | | | learn horseback riding but can't afford it. Learning to |
| feelings. It is fraught with decisions. Is this right for | | | | ride horses is expensive. Lessons range from $35-50 |
| me? Can I afford it? And on and on. | | | | per session. At the end of the day, lessons can really |
| It is no less than with learning horseback riding | | | | cut into a persons budget. |
| lessons. Horse back riding can be fun and fulfilling for | | | | For those of you that fit into these groups, I |
| anybody, but if you have limited budget, resources | | | | suggest a different approach to horse back riding. |
| or experience, you don't start with a good | | | | Much of the early lessons are taken up with the |
| foundation. So makes the claim of countless | | | | basics; Basics that could easily be learned with a good |
| instructors and experienced horsemen. | | | | guide.Why hire a professional trainer before you even |
| And I agree. Having invested the last 40 years of my | | | | know if horseback riding is something you want to |
| life in horses, I have some experience to talk from. | | | | pursue? |
| Over the years I have learned this. | | | | Letting my experience talk, I know the first few |
| - A lot of people who want to learn to horseback | | | | lessons always cover the fundamentals of riding. How |
| ride, quit riding horses after a few tries. They had | | | | to sit on a horse, hold the reins, posture, correct |
| bad experiences with the powerful beasts that | | | | mounting and proper aids(how we control the horse). |
| caused them to fall, be frightened or worse injured. I | | | | Beginner students spend much of their time the |
| have seen it happen, and I can tell you that falls | | | | basics of horse care, proper handling, grooming and |
| happen to most riders, but the majority of falls are | | | | tacking procedures, horses' behavior characteristics |
| purely from lack of knowledge of horse behavior. | | | | and instinctive responses. |
| - Stuck in the middle are people with limited | | | | Without a doubt, these basics are important. They |
| resources. People who would like to ride but have to | | | | teach you how to communicate with the horse, and |
| drive great distances to obtain horseback riding | | | | work in union to make riding an enjoyable experience |
| lessons. Not everyone has the advantage or choice | | | | for both horse and rider. It is sort of driving a car |
| of living in the country. | | | | without taking driving lessons. Same thing, except |
| - On the other end of the scale there are people | | | | that the horse is a living thing. |
| who have a spark of interest, or a huge fantasy to | | | | |