Best Horseback Riding Lessons in Laguna Niguel, CA

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.