Horseback Vacations

Paul Gray asked:


There are some things that just come natural to some. Some people are almost born knowing how to stay on a skateboard. Me personally, I fall flat just about every time that the board moves. That’s something that just wasn’t born in there.
One thing that was born into my system was how to ride a horse. It seemed I knew how to ride a horse from birth but didn’t start riding alone till I was three. That was mainly in part to my beloved quarter horse Harlan who knew that I was a beginner. So, would you like for me to give you some tips on how to ride a horse?

When learning how to ride a horse one of the best things I can tell you is to always keep your cool. If you lose control of yourself, I have no doubt that you will lose control of the horse. You know how people say that a dog can sense if you’re scared? Well so can a horse. Some will bank on that fear as an easy way out of work. Even if you think that the horse is some big animal and you have no idea how you’ll ever stay on you can not think that around the horse. You need to stay calm and relaxed. If you get a little scared take a few deep breaths so that you can slow your heartbeat and relax yourself. Odds are, if you think you’re in control, so will the horse.

Now that you have calmed your nerves and told yourself that you are boss, let’s talk about how to ride a horse. There are two styles of riding you can think about when you learn how to ride a horse, English and western. If you haven’t ridden much I suggest a western saddle mainly because of the fact that is holds you in place better and has a horn for you to hang onto if you feel the need. An English saddle is lighter in weight, has thinner stirrups and no horn to hang onto. Some people swear by them for a beginner to build up balance and all but I just feel safer in a western saddle. I figure that if a cowboy thinks that they’re the best to hold you in I’ll have to agree with them. You can work on balance once you learn how to ride a horse a little better.

With the saddle in place, you can hop on and go for a ride. When you first learn how to ride a horse you can’t just hop on, dig in your heels and think that the horse will just mosey off. To make a horse go forward you generally will just have to squeeze a bit with your thighs. Might need to move your **** forward towards the horn a little to let them know you’re serious but being a beginner you should already be on a well broke horse. A green horse and a green rider are never a good combination when you first learn how to ride a horse. Green by the way means that you’re just learning. Don’t go out looking for a horse that will blend in with the grass. But once you’re up in the saddle and walking, you can guide your horse in one of two ways. If you know that your horse neck reins, you simply lay the reins across the left side of the neck to go to the right and across the right side of the neck to go left. If you were told that the horse plow reins, take one rein in each hand and pull on the side that you want to go. If you want to go right, gently tug on the right rein and vise versa with the left.

These are a few simple things for those who are just learning how to ride a horse. For those with experience in horseback riding you might have your own ideas but these are the basics that I teach my kids. And so far I feel that they know how to ride a horse quite well for their ages and practice safety procedures without risk or injury.

Did you know that 90% of falls and horse related injuries result from an inexperienced rider? Don’t let this happen to you. Take a few minutes to learn the essential horseback riding and horsetraining methods practiced by experts for generations which are guaranteed to improve your horse riding skills.



RONNY

Aubrey asked:


Hello! I’m doing a project/speech on the sport of horseback riding. I’m a horse rider myself, but am having trouble figuring out the science behind it. I was wondering if anyone knew which 4 main muscle groups are used when you ride a horse, and how are aerobic and flexibility activities involved? If anyone has any ideas that would be great! Thanks a lot!

MATT

Margarethe De Clermont asked:


Motivated and inspired horseback riders often fall into the perfectionism-trap. Whether you are into show-jumping, dressage or endurance riding, it is easy to become obsessed with perfection, always pushing yourself and your horse further and harder.

Equestrian perfectionism often leads to micromanagement. Micromanagement refers to the need to be in control of every movement that your horse (or children, or employees, or students) makes.

Ever heard of descente de la main? It is a classical riding term. I have heard many theories about the exact meaning of descente de la main, and several heated arguments too.

Descente de la main is the exact opposite of micromanagement. How many riders (and instructors!) do you know who indulge in this manipulative pastime? It is often more obvious in their relationships with the people around them. Sometimes they are also referred to as control freaks. Micromanagement is disempowering and humiliating for your horse as well as for your husband, wife, child, parent, friend and co-workers.

Descente de la main is about empowering your horse to take responsibility for his own carriage, without losing contact. When used correctly, descente de la main can work magic - but what is it? I think it will be best to hand over the microphone to a master of the art of classical riding, and a compatriot of mine, Francois de la Gueriniere:

“There are two ways of giving with the hand. The first, which is the more common and most frequently used, is to lower the bridle-hand, as we have indicated. The second way is to take the reins in the right hand, behind the left hand, and while slightly raising the reins in the left hand, pass control to the right hand, and finally, giving up control with the left hand completely, lower the right hand onto the neck of the horse, and hence the horse finds itself completely free from contact.

This manner of giving with the hand is called descente de main: it is also performed by taking the ends of the reins with the right hand, held at the height of the rider’s head, the arm straight out and free; but you must be quite sure of the horse’s mouth and its readiness to obey, in order to use this method. Care must be taken not to give with the hand or perform descente de main when the horse’s weight is on its shoulders: the proper time to perform this movement is after a half-halt, and when you feel the horse coming back on its haunches, give with the hand or perform the descente de main.

The proper moment, difficult to discern and seize, is one of the most subtle and useful aids of horsemanship; for the horse, bending its haunches just as contact is released, must necessarily remain light in hand, having no other support for the head.” Francois de la Gueriniere “Ecole de Cavalerie”

The good news is: You can let go. Relax. You really do not need to learn and master every riding skill immediately or perfectly. Choose the right moment and then relinquish control. Focus and put all your attention specifically on mastering one skill at a time. Give yourself and your horse a break if you feel overwhelmed. You need breaks and rewards if you want to remain productive. And so does your horse. It is necessary to refresh and recharge your own and your horse’s batteries often.

Aim for excellence, not perfection.

And do the same in your relationships. In our interactions with the people around us, we often try to micro-manage their behaviour because we are scared for their safety. Maybe, however, we should practise descente de la main in our relationships too: drop your hands, let go, stop interfering, but do not lose contact. Allow every one around you to take responsibility for their own actions. Your stress levels will fall dramatically!



DUNCAN

BarackObamadotcom asked:

A Missouri resident uses Neighbor to Neighbor and his horse to find potential voters for Barack. Visit my.barackobama.com to get involved today.

JASPER

qunarcher asked:

Horseback-archery competition in “The Valley” with Lajos Kassai and his students.

HAL

horsegirl3394 asked:

MUST WATCH FULL VID PLEASE COMMENT ****3RD PLACE IN CONTEST WOOT***** 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!

BRAD

radley87 asked:

Cherry Wood Bed, Breakfast & Barn in Zillah Washington offers up a unique way to tour local wineries; By horse.

REUBEN

Donald Pyle asked:


Arches National Park and Canyonlands National Park are those pre-selected vacation sites, or you just won’t go there unless it’s by mistake. Whether you’re headed west on US Interstate 70 leaving Grand Junction, CO or you’re headed east out of Utah, there just isn’t a visible clue to the unique beauty of these two vacation spots. You look out the window at the great western desert, minus the cacti, and your reaction may well be, “How soon can we get out of this… this nothing?”

Often in this wonderful world of variety, the spectacular is just around the next corner or over the next ridge. In this case it’s twenty minutes away from the Crescent Junction Exit (Exit # 179) 70 miles west of Grand Junction, CO and 20 miles east of Green River, UT. Here lies a vast area of rugged yet artistic beauty and much of it is accessible by two-wheeled drive, low-riding automobile. If you’re restricted physically to enjoy the view from your automobile, this is a wonderful country, but the beautiful and challenging trail trips and river expeditions that await the more adventurous are truly inspiring.

You make the call. Luxurious lodging beckons with full-guided tours on land and water, or camping and back packing offer less expensive choices in all directions… It’s all here in Moab, UT.

Native Moabites and National Forest facilities and employees eagerly share their knowledge and recommendations to fit your needs and expectations. Don’t let the hustle and bustle of Moab with a population of 5200 fool you. In 30 minutes you can bask in a remote corner of the great Southwest.

Do consider the following tips related to the time of year that you plan to visit this area.

? During the months of May through September the daytime temperature may exceed 100 degrees Fahrenheit.

? From November through February nighttime temperatures have reached below zero Fahrenheit.

? Be prepared for extreme temperatures. Be sure to check local forecasts and with local tour companies for availability and for how to dress and prepare for the temperature extremes.

? This is an adventure that requires several days to do it justice. Besides driving and hiking Arches National Monument and Canyon Lands National Monument, activities include 4 Wheeling, ATV Riding, Fishing, Golfing, Guides and Outfitters, Hiking, Horseback Riding, Motorcycle Touring, Photography, and River Running.

For the history buff, the area abounds with the color and intrigue of cattle ranching and rustling, Indians, and pioneer settlement for example, the legend behind Dead Horse Point State Park.

Points south of Moab include Bridges National Monument and Rainbow Bridge National Monument, lands with their own aura and eccentric rock formations.

Moab, Utah, offers a wide spectrum of activities and sites for the vacationer. It is a jewel of unique vista and history. It may sit seemingly out n the middle of no-man’s land, but it is the western entrance to Southern Utah’s canyons and monoliths. Whether bathed in summer sun, wearing a mantle of winter snow or drenched in sudden thunderstorms, this land is a must-see, must-do adventure.

Check our more links to Moab, Utah at http://www.cedarviewtravelresources.com.



JESUS