Equestrian Training & Lessons FAQs

FAQs on Horseback Riding in San Juan Capistrano, CA

How difficult is horseback riding?

Learning to ride a horse is similar to learning anything new skill or sport. There are many experienced riders that have been riding for years and will always have more to learn and perfect. Every horse is different and as a rider, you have to learn about the horse and adjust your riding practices. With practice and dedication, anyone can become an experienced rider. Sitting on a horse may seem easy but it takes a lot of balance and determination!

In comparison to other sports that may have some sort of ball, horseback riding involves a large 1,200-pound animal that you must learn to control and train. Learning to communicate with a horse is much harder than communicating with your teammates for obvious reasons. But, with a lot of practice, anyone can master the art of horseback riding! Come visit Reveal Equestrian to learn more about how you can start horseback riding in Orange County.

Is horseback riding considered exercise?

A common misconception of horseback riding is that the horse does all the legwork and the rider simply exists to steer the horse. In reality, horseback riding is a very vigorous activity and burns a significant amount of calories. The activity requires a large amount of muscle strength, balance, flexibility, and awareness of your surroundings.

When your horse is at a walking pace, this can still be considered exercise for the rider because it still requires skills like balance and awareness of your surroundings. Horseback riding also exercises your mind as well and requires you to use reasoning, analytical skills, and memory to properly navigate your horse. Although horseback riding is a form of exercise, many riders also train on their own to improve their strength and flexibility.

Is horseback riding a sport?

A common rule of thumb that people use to determine whether or not a form of physical activity can be considered a sport, is if it is a part of the Olympics. In the case of horseback riding, it is a part of the modern-day Olympics. Sports are defined as “an athletic activity requiring skill or physical prowess and often of a competitive nature, as racing, baseball, tennis, golf, bowling, wrestling, boxing, hunting, fishing, etc.”

Similar to how there is competitive and recreational sailing, there is also competitive and recreational horseback riding. Horseback riding has been considered a sport for thousands of years and does not seem to be going anywhere, anytime soon. The official term for a person that rides a horse and races, is a jockey. The jockey and the horse make up a team and together they participate in the sport.

Is horseback riding dangerous?

Horseback riding is considered one of the top ten most dangerous activities. This is due to the nature of the horse and its unpredictability in different situations. At any given moment, a horse can decide to act on its own and buck its rider off. Horseback riding is considered to be more hazardous than motorcycle riding because of the head injuries that are often sustained.

Although the sport can be very dangerous, with the right safety practices, a rider can ensure their safety. Wearing a helmet during each ride can help to prevent serious head injuries in the case that a rider does fall off of the horse. There are also safer ways for a rider to fall off of a horse in the chance that the situation arises. To learn more about how to protect yourself in these situations, stop by Reveal Equestrian!

How should I prepare before my first ride?

Before you begin your first ride, it is important to learn about the horse and its essentials. Often times learning to tie, groom, and lead the horse is very important because it can help you connect with the horse and gain their trust. Before simply getting on the horse, it is important to learn about riding from an instructor.

Next, you will want to saddle up and decide if you are going to choose the Western or English approach. It is important that you know how to mount your horse and keep yourself and the horse safe in the process. Once you’re on, you will need to feel comfortable with the horse and gain your balance so that you can move in harmony with the horse. Since this is your first ride, you should start at a walking pace to get comfortable with riding.

How do I care for my horse after riding it?

After you have finished riding, it is important to let your horse cool down from the activity. While you are still mounted on the horse, loosen the reigns and walk casually for ten to fifteen minutes to allow the horse to relax. Once you have dismounted your horse, ensure he has relaxed by walking him by hand.

Give your horse a bucket of lukewarm or cold water after you have come to a complete stop. Horses often lose anywhere from two to four gallons of sweat during vigorous activity or in high heat. Once your horse is fully hydrated, this is your time to reconnect with your horse and groom them at the end of the day. Your instructor will tell you how to properly care for your horse at Reveal Equestrian in San Juan Capistrano.

How do I safely ride a horse?

First off, you want to wear proper horse riding gear. It is best to wear long pants and proper riding boots (preferably with a small heel to hook your feet into the stirrups). The most important item to wear is a helmet in case you fall or the horse moves suddenly. Next, you want to greet your horse to create a familiar relationship with them before you begin your ride. After this, you want to confidently mount the horse to show that you are assertive and not nervous.

Once you are on the horse, it is important to remember to have good posture and sit up straight. After you have begun to ride, always be gentle with the reins and show the horse that you are leading it, rather than dictating. Keep your eyes on the road ahead of you and do your best to stay in rhythm with your horse and the way he is moving. The best thing to remember is to stay calm and relaxed!

Can children ride horses?

The appropriate age for children to start riding horses is around age six, but it is truly dependent on that child’s development and the environment that they are in. A few factors that go into a child’s ability to ride horses are their coordination, attention span, concentration ability, and balance. While the age of six may be a good time for some children, each child develops at their own rate.

Often times many children start out with ponies so that they are able to get a feel of horses before they grow older. As long as a child has supervision and is wearing a helmet, they are usually able to ride a smaller-sized horse. The only issue with children riding easily is that they get tired quicker and their lessons do not last for very long.

What can’t horses eat?

Almost all fruits and vegetables are allowed for horses to eat but in small quantities. The vegetables that are advised to be avoided are those that are in the cruciferous category. The reason being these vegetables typically produce intestinal gas which can cause discomfort in your horses. Because horses usually eat in small quantities frequently throughout the day, it is wise to only give them small portions of fruits.

Eating too many apples can lead to colic and sometimes even founder. It is also common for people to think that allowing their horses to eat grass and lawn clippings is healthy. Grass and lawn clippings often have chemicals and pesticides sprayed on them which are extremely toxic for horses. Even if the grass hasn’t been sprayed with pesticides, the sugar in freshly cut grass can lead to an imbalance in the horse’s gut.

What are the don’ts of horseback riding?

The very first don’t of horseback riding is wearing baggy clothing and incorrect footwear. Tighter clothing is necessary because in case you happen to fall off, you do not want your clothing to get caught on the horse which may cause you to get dragged. It is also important to keep a hold of the reins the entire time to show the horse that you are confident and to continue to give it direction.

Since riding is an activity that you must be engaged in the entire time, you want to make sure you are listening to your instructor and following their instructions. Lastly, a common mistake that many beginners make while riding a horse for the first time is that they hold onto the saddle horn for support. This can be dangerous in the case that the rider falls off because they can get dragged while still holding onto the saddle horn.