So, you want to learn to Ride a Horse...
Horseback Riding can be a source of unbridled pleasure for people of all ages and ability levels. When you climb on the back of a horse, you can get a new vantage point from which explore the world. This can be an exhilarating experience, but it also carries some risk, so it’s important that you be properly trained in how to ride safely right from the first time you saddle up.
Horseback Riding Goals
Whether you want to learn to ride a horse for fun, learn to show your horse, or to ride competitively, horseback riding lessons can be an essential step to help you to achieve your goals.
Benefits of Horseback Riding lessons
When you decide you want to try horseback riding, it’s important to understand up front that this sport requires time and money. But in return for the investment, you can expect to receive a host of physical and emotional benefits. For instance, horseback riding can be great exercise and can allow you to become attuned with nature. It also provides a unique opportunity to communicate closely with an animal. But more than this, it can also teach hard-work, responsibility, determination, balance, coordination and a sense of freedom that can be hard to replicate in any other way.
Horseback Riding Goals
Whether you want to learn to ride a horse for fun, learn to show your horse, or to ride competitively, horseback riding lessons can be an essential step to help you to achieve your goals.
Benefits of Horseback Riding lessons
When you decide you want to try horseback riding, it’s important to understand up front that this sport requires time and money. But in return for the investment, you can expect to receive a host of physical and emotional benefits. For instance, horseback riding can be great exercise and can allow you to become attuned with nature. It also provides a unique opportunity to communicate closely with an animal. But more than this, it can also teach hard-work, responsibility, determination, balance, coordination and a sense of freedom that can be hard to replicate in any other way.
Riding Lesson Fees...
Riding Lesson fee is $ 45.00 a Session ( time for session may vary between 1 and 2 hours)We will Tailor Lessons to your Specific Riding Levels and needs, We can help you put the polish on your Riding Skills. We also offer Lessons in Basic Horse cares. Discount packages Available also Contact us (406) 589-4433
Learning to Ride..
Here's what you'll need to know as you learn to ride a horse safely. You can't learn to ride from a website, book or video (in fact, it's inadvisable). The best way to learn to ride a horse is from a competent coach or instructor. A coach or instructor can catch bad habits before they become ingrained, advise you of mistakes you may be making, encourage you and offer advice to keep you safe and comfortable.
1. Before You Begin Your Ride
The first things you'll learn about riding may not be actual riding skills. You may come across riding schools where you'll simply get on the horse and start riding. But learning to tie, groom and lead are essential skills that help you learn to understand horses, stay safe and increase your enjoyment.
First Steps When Learning to Ride:
2. Saddle Up
With your horse safely tied and groomed it's time to saddle up for your ride. Learn how to put on an English or Western saddle and bridle, and how to do up the cinch on a Western saddle.
Putting on a Saddle and Bridle:
3. Mounting Up
With your horse waiting, groomed and saddled up ready to ride you'll want to get going! These articles will help you understand how to get on your horse and once you're up there how to sit correctly in the saddle as you learn to ride.
How to Get On a Horse:
4. Walk On!
When you first begin riding you will feel awkward and unbalanced. You may feel unable to make all your body parts do all the things they are supposed to at the same time. You may be using muscles not familiar with the job you are asking, and have difficulty remembering all you are supposed to do. The key is practice.
How to Walk, Halt and Turn:
5. Trot or Jog, Canter or Lope
As your confidence and skill increase it is time to learn to ride at faster paces. Challenge yourself, but never feel pushed. Learning to ride is supposed to be fun, not scary.
Trotting, Jogging, Cantering or Loping:
6. Riding Safety
These aren't riding skills, but safety with horses is always first priority. Your coach can help remind you of these safety tips as you ride, because it can be difficult to remember so many new things.
Ride Safely:
7. Beyond the Basics
These skills go beyond the basics. Learn how to fall off and do an emergency dismount with the supervision of a knowledgeable coach. Always wear a helmet and proper boots or safety stirrups. Consider using a chest protector and a mouth guard as well.
Extra Riding Skills:
8. After Your Ride
Being a good horseman/horsewoman means you look after your horse even after its job is done. You don't want your horse to be uncomfortable, and you do want it to think that being ridden is all work and no play. Here's how to get out of the saddle and reward your horse.
Care For Your Horse After You Ride:
1. Before You Begin Your Ride
The first things you'll learn about riding may not be actual riding skills. You may come across riding schools where you'll simply get on the horse and start riding. But learning to tie, groom and lead are essential skills that help you learn to understand horses, stay safe and increase your enjoyment.
First Steps When Learning to Ride:
- Why Learn to Ride? It may be obvious, but there are many benefits you may not have thought of.
- Lead Your Horse or Pony: This will probably be the first thing you do with a horse!
- How to Tie Safely: You'll probably have the horse tied for saddling. Here's how to do it safely.
- How to Groom: Before you ride, you should groom your horse so there's no dirt trapped under the saddle.
2. Saddle Up
With your horse safely tied and groomed it's time to saddle up for your ride. Learn how to put on an English or Western saddle and bridle, and how to do up the cinch on a Western saddle.
Putting on a Saddle and Bridle:
- How to Put on a Saddle: Whether riding English or Western, follow these steps to saddle safely.
- How to Do Up a Western Cinch: Learn to tie your western cinch and how to tighten it once it is tied.
- How to Put a Bridle on a Horse: Your bridle is an important aid to communicate with your horse. But at first glance it looks pretty complicated with all those straps. Bridling, like any riding skill, becomes easier with practice.
3. Mounting Up
With your horse waiting, groomed and saddled up ready to ride you'll want to get going! These articles will help you understand how to get on your horse and once you're up there how to sit correctly in the saddle as you learn to ride.
How to Get On a Horse:
- How to Mount a Horse: It can look like a long way up to get into the saddle, but take heart, like most riding skills, with practice mounting will become second nature.
- How to Sit Correctly in the Saddle: You will want to sit on your horse correctly, so that you are secure and able to cue your horse clearly.
4. Walk On!
When you first begin riding you will feel awkward and unbalanced. You may feel unable to make all your body parts do all the things they are supposed to at the same time. You may be using muscles not familiar with the job you are asking, and have difficulty remembering all you are supposed to do. The key is practice.
How to Walk, Halt and Turn:
- How to Walk and Halt: The first thing your instructor will explain is how to to cue the horse to walk. If you've never ridden before it will take a little time to get used to the motion of the horse.
- How to Turn - Direct Rein: Most English riders will learn to use a direct rein to turn their horses...
- How to Turn - Neck Rein:...and western riders will likely learn to neck rein.
5. Trot or Jog, Canter or Lope
As your confidence and skill increase it is time to learn to ride at faster paces. Challenge yourself, but never feel pushed. Learning to ride is supposed to be fun, not scary.
Trotting, Jogging, Cantering or Loping:
- Posting the Trot: Trotting can be a lot of work to learn, especially posting the trot. Again practice is key. Soon it will become the natural thing to do.
- Learn to Sit the Trot: Learning to sit the trot can be tricky. These tips can help get the bounce out.
- More About Trotting - Diagonals: What they are, why they are important, and how to 'get them'.
- How to Canter or Lope: Canter/lope is a lot of fun, and once you are secure almost easier than trotting.
6. Riding Safety
These aren't riding skills, but safety with horses is always first priority. Your coach can help remind you of these safety tips as you ride, because it can be difficult to remember so many new things.
Ride Safely:
- Arena Etiquette and Safety: Just like rules of the road prevent traffic chaos, arena etiquette prevents riders from getting too close or cutting each other off.
- Safety on the Trail: Riding on trail is an adventure that comes with a few hazards. Be prepared by knowing what to watch for.
- Tips for Riding More Safely after Dark: If you get caught (or go out) after dark extra caution is required.
- Safety Riding Along Roadsides: Generally, horses and traffic don't mix. But if you have to ride along roadsides, stay safe!
7. Beyond the Basics
These skills go beyond the basics. Learn how to fall off and do an emergency dismount with the supervision of a knowledgeable coach. Always wear a helmet and proper boots or safety stirrups. Consider using a chest protector and a mouth guard as well.
Extra Riding Skills:
- Backing Up or Rein-back: There are lots of situations were backing up is handy.
- Learn to Ride Bareback: Riding bareback is fun, and in the winter, warmer!
- How to Fall Off: Emergency dismounts and falling the right way may help you if your horse bolts, bucks or otherwise misbehaves, although there is no sure way to prevent accidents and injury when riding horseback.
- How to Do an Emergency Dismount:What your coach can teach you about getting off...fast...
8. After Your Ride
Being a good horseman/horsewoman means you look after your horse even after its job is done. You don't want your horse to be uncomfortable, and you do want it to think that being ridden is all work and no play. Here's how to get out of the saddle and reward your horse.
Care For Your Horse After You Ride:
- How to Dismount: Because we have other things to do unfortunatly, we have to get off our horses some time.
- How to Look After Your Horse After Riding: A sign of good horsemanship is a horse that is not only ridden well, but cared for well. Here's how to cool down your horse and groom it after riding.
- Rewarding Your Horse With Treats Safely: Reward your equine friend for a job well done. But do it safely.
Trail Rides...
From our facility we have direct access to hundreds of miles of trails.
Whether you would like a Ride along the Shores of Canyon Ferry Lake or to Grassy Meadows, Creeks and Forests of the Elkhorn Mountains, just Saddle up and go!
Contact us and ask us about your destination and our fees.
Half day and Full day rides available.
Let's make it a picnic!
Whether you would like a Ride along the Shores of Canyon Ferry Lake or to Grassy Meadows, Creeks and Forests of the Elkhorn Mountains, just Saddle up and go!
Contact us and ask us about your destination and our fees.
Half day and Full day rides available.
Let's make it a picnic!
Mountain Trail Riding
Expect the Unexpected: Make plans now to meet some new friends, breathe some clean fresh air, and enjoy some spectacular scenery. If taking a short ride, you will be riding on scenic horse trails, home to an abundance of wildlife, including white-tailed deer and black bear which can be seen in their natural habitat. There are frequent wildlife sightings and photo opportunities along the trail as you ride through wooded forests and mountain meadows to vantage points. These trails are used only for riding horses, and provide spectacular views. An experienced trail guide will lead your journey and answer any questions you may have along the way. Longer rides explore more areas.
While visiting during your vacation, honeymoon or weekend getaway, you will want to pack a lot of fun into your stay. Mountain Trail Rides is here to see that you enjoy your visit and have a safe horseback riding experience while having loads of fun! We take pride in our reputation for making people feel comfortable and at ease, and for having great horses. We specialize in beginners and family groups and provide pre-ride instruction regarding horse behavior and safety rules to all riders.
No matter what your riding ability, and even if you've never ridden a horse before, you'll find that the atmosphere is comfortable and relaxed and the scenery is breathtaking!
Our guests come from all over the world. We are fortunate to have such wonderful people to visit us!
Our equipment and tack are well maintained and fitted to the individual horses. We use western tack and saddles. All equipment is inspected on a daily basis and repaired or replaced as necessary. We also have mounting blocks for your convenience and safety.
The endless Beauty of Riding and spending time in the Mountains has rewards you can never imagine. Join us......
Expect the Unexpected: Make plans now to meet some new friends, breathe some clean fresh air, and enjoy some spectacular scenery. If taking a short ride, you will be riding on scenic horse trails, home to an abundance of wildlife, including white-tailed deer and black bear which can be seen in their natural habitat. There are frequent wildlife sightings and photo opportunities along the trail as you ride through wooded forests and mountain meadows to vantage points. These trails are used only for riding horses, and provide spectacular views. An experienced trail guide will lead your journey and answer any questions you may have along the way. Longer rides explore more areas.
While visiting during your vacation, honeymoon or weekend getaway, you will want to pack a lot of fun into your stay. Mountain Trail Rides is here to see that you enjoy your visit and have a safe horseback riding experience while having loads of fun! We take pride in our reputation for making people feel comfortable and at ease, and for having great horses. We specialize in beginners and family groups and provide pre-ride instruction regarding horse behavior and safety rules to all riders.
No matter what your riding ability, and even if you've never ridden a horse before, you'll find that the atmosphere is comfortable and relaxed and the scenery is breathtaking!
Our guests come from all over the world. We are fortunate to have such wonderful people to visit us!
Our equipment and tack are well maintained and fitted to the individual horses. We use western tack and saddles. All equipment is inspected on a daily basis and repaired or replaced as necessary. We also have mounting blocks for your convenience and safety.
The endless Beauty of Riding and spending time in the Mountains has rewards you can never imagine. Join us......
Western Riding
Western riding is a style of horseback riding which evolved from the ranching and warfare traditions brought to the Americas by the Spanish Conquistadors, and both equipment and riding style evolved to meet the working needs of the cowboy in the American West. American cowboys needed to work long hours in the saddle over rough terrain, sometimes needing to rope cattle with a lariat (or lasso). Because of the necessity to control the horse with one hand and use a lariat with the other, western horses were trained to neck rein, that is, to change direction with light pressure of a rein against the horse's neck. Horses were also trained to exercise a certain degree of independence in using their natural instincts to follow the movements of a cow, thus a riding style developed that emphasized a deep, secure seat, and training methods encouraged a horse to be responsive on very light rein contact.
Though there are significant differences in equipment, there are fewer differences between English and Western riding than appear at first glance. Both styles require riders to have a solid seat, with the hips and shoulders balanced over the feet, with hands independent of the seat so as to avoid jerking the horse in the mouth and interfering with its performance.
"Western Riding" is also the name for a specific event within western competition where a horse performs a pattern that combines trail and reining elements.
Though there are significant differences in equipment, there are fewer differences between English and Western riding than appear at first glance. Both styles require riders to have a solid seat, with the hips and shoulders balanced over the feet, with hands independent of the seat so as to avoid jerking the horse in the mouth and interfering with its performance.
"Western Riding" is also the name for a specific event within western competition where a horse performs a pattern that combines trail and reining elements.
