Horse riding: Why has it started attracting more interest lately?
Horse racing is the most popular equestrian sport. It makes sense therefore that most people’s first encounter with horse riding by watching the races on TV. Horse racing events can be national spectacles that draw wide audiences all around the world. This means that the increased popularity of betting on horse racing may be encouraging people to try out riding out for themselves. Here are the other reasons why horse riding may be attracting more and more interest.
Horse riding is something you can pick up at any age. If you are a complete beginner, it is possible to start out slowly and you will get a lot of support from the riding stables. For your introductory lessons, they will match you with a horse of a suitable size and an easy-going temperament.
For the first couple of lessons, your instructor will likely attach a lead to your horse’s bridle until you gain enough confidence to ride independently. Usually, first-time riders will spend their lessons inside an indoor or outdoor arena. This is an enclosed space where you can really focus on getting the basics right without. The instructor will tell you how to direct the horse and adopt the correct saddle posture.
The stables will provide riding equipment such as the saddle, bridle, riding helmet, or even riding boots, so you don’t have to buy anything from the start. As you get into the sport, it might be a good idea to invest in your own riding clothes. The stables will always provide the tack (saddle and bridle), however.
The chance to build a working relationship with an animal
Horse riding is an absorbing hobby and one of the most fulfilling aspects is that you get to bond with an animal. Before and after a ride, you can strengthen your connection with your horse by spending some quality one-on-one time with it. This way, the animal can get to know you and vice versa, making your time during the ride that much more satisfying.
Riding stables will often let those who are interested help out in stable chores and management. This aspect of horse riding can be very informative, as working around horses on the ground can get you acquainted with how horses of different sizes and temperaments should be handled. For a fee, many stables offer short or long courses in stable management.
Equestrian sports
There are many different disciplines you can specialize in once you grasp the fundamentals. There is a sport for everyone’s tastes and some even involve teamwork. This variety is something that makes horse riding so attractive.
Polo is a fast-paced sport that can be compared to a horseback version of football. Dressage is often referred to as ballet on horseback. Here, you can learn how to instruct your horse to carry out an intricate choreography of manoeuvres inside an arena. It is known as one of the most difficult equestrian skills to master and it is a great way to train horses. Cross-country is the most high-intensity equestrian discipline, spread over a three-day schedule of dressage, indoor showjumping, and outdoor jumping. You need a great deal of versatility as a rider to compete in a cross-country show.
If you are not interested in competitive equestrian disciplines, you can always opt for trail riding. This is where you ride outside of the arena for an hour or two either on your own or as part of a group. Horse trekking is a fun extension of trail rides, where the rides may last for the whole day and over a week or two. People enjoy horse trekking and trail riding because they can enjoy very scenic routes, such as open countryside or beaches. It is a great way to see a new country while on holiday.
