How to start your horse riding journey ~ Guide for children & adults

By Stephanie Jendrzejewski

When one is looking to start their horse riding journey it can often be daunting without a proper mentor or guide. So,I, Stephanie, hereby instate myself as your horse mom. Congratulations!

There are many things to take into consideration as a newbie, but something that is important to think about is why you or your child want to start riding. For kids, it can be that their older cousin started. For yourself, maybe because you’ve always wanted to do it and never had the chance. Whatever it may be, start there. Speaking for myself as someone in their mid-twenties who stopped riding for numerous reasons, and is now jumping back in, my ‘why’ is because it brings me true joy. There is simply nothing like it.

Let’s get into it!

Finding a Stable and Instructor 

First, you’ll want to decide on what discipline you’d like to pursue (Western/English). Some barns are able to train you in both disciplines, however, as a beginner, it is a good idea to choose one, then expand your horizons as you continue to grow in your chosen discipline. I deeply encourage riders to learn both, it never hurts to add new skills to your equestrian repertoire!

Once you’ve chosen your discipline now you can take a look at your local stables. A simple google search of “horse lessons near me” will give a good look of the top places near you. Do your research and read comments about where you’re looking to take lessons and the instructors. Nine times out of ten the comment section will tell you the truth and give you a decent idea of what to expect.

Feel free to call them up and discuss your goals, most of the time they will let you stop by and observe lessons in progress and/or give you a brief tour of their facility.

Keep in mind prices can vary widely depending on the barn you choose.That said, prices usually stay within $45-$85.

Preparing for your lesson - What to wear & What to expect

What to wear

As a beginner you won’t need to spend the big bucks on riding clothes. As you continue to grow and get into showing you can make those bigger purchases. (keep a look out for a show gear blog post!)

• Your riding attire is an important investment as it contributes to your comfort and safety - such as activewear - t-shirts, long sleeve shirts, and riding leggings with full seat silicone grip. 
• For shoes, boots with a low heel and that cover the ankle are best. I highly recommend going to a tack shop, an employee will be happy to help you find the riding boot that fits you or your child's needs.
• While at the tack store, you can get fitted for a helmet, though your instructor will most likely have one you can wear. Use the goldilocks method, you don’t want your helmet too tight or too loose, your head should perfectly fit with no chance of it sliding off.

What to expect

• Most first-time lessons will be spent learning how to properly groom, tack, and lead a horse. An important step, no doubt, because you will learn the ropes, while slowly getting used to the personality of the horse you’ll be riding.
• Never be afraid to ask questions, any decent instructor won’t get annoyed. Ask questions before, during and after your lesson if you have any!
• Go by your gut, let your instructor know what you’re comfortable with and what you need to work on or have no idea about. You can’t learn what you already know!

Where to find support & other horsey people

If you’re looking to grow your knowledge base and meet more like-minded people, reach out to your nearest Pony Club. Pony Club is the largest equine educational organization, teaching horse care, safe horsemanship, and riding in both English and western disciplines. Members of all ages and mounts of all sizes are included in Pony Club, and the skills learned in Pony Club—leadership, sportsmanship, confidence, responsibility, and a sense of community—last a lifetime.

When in doubt, ask your instructor! They’ll be sure to know about local programs.

Have fun & Don’t be afraid to start!

Your lesson will fly by, and if you’re anything like 7 year-old me when I first started, you’ll never want it to end. 

Remember, riding isn’t always going to be easy and some take to it quicker than others. Never compare yourself to others, everyone moves at their own pace so don’t get discouraged. Completing your first lesson is a huge accomplishment and you’ll only get better from there! 

Feel free to drop a comment and ask me questions! That’s what your horse mom is here for!

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