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Learning to be a good rider is a combination of knowledge and learning how to be in your body in a way that helps you partner with a horse. In this section, I collect articles on both topics intended to build your knowledge to help you become a better, more responsive rider, as well as exercises to help introduce you to the body movements necessary for comfortable, confident horseback riding.

Tacking Up A Horse: What it Means & How to Do It

Horseback riding has a language of its own. Two statements that commonly cause confusion for new riders are “tacking up” and “untacking a horse.” These phrases are used by horse owners and riders in the English and Western riding disciplines all the time and are often the first jargon to confuse new riders. In this …

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Horse Rental 101: A Guide to Renting a Horse

Renting a horse is an alternative to horse ownership that works well for many casual riders, growing kids, and people who are interested in an ultra short-term alternative to horse ownership. Horse rentals are available in nearly every area, and in this article, you’ll learn: Getting started: understanding what it means to rent a horse …

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Horseback Riding with Lower Back Pain: Strategies to Ride on

Many equestrians suffer from lower back pain. For some people, horseback riding can provide relief, while for others, time in the saddle may seem to increase discomfort. Luckily, there are things you can try both before and after mounting up to help relieve lower back pain, including stretching or using heating pads and ice packs. …

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Your First Time Riding a Horse: What to Expect

The idea of riding a horse for the first time is, for many people, equal parts thrilling and intimidating! Horseback riding is a less and less common hobby as the world modernizes, but there is something about this activity that continues to draw us. In this article, you’ll learn what to expect your first time …

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🚶🏽‍♀️🐎How to Lead a Horse by a Bridle & Reins

Leading a horse with the bridle is more complicated than it seems. While actors in movies and TV shows make it look easy, leading a horse with a bridle requires more skills than using a lead rope. In this article, you’ll learn how to lead a horse with a bridle and reins safely. Where Movies …

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(Re)Starting Horseback Riding Again as an Adult: How to Begin

Getting in the saddle again after a long gap can be overwhelming. Many of us find that riding again as adults, after abandoning this hobby for education, family, or work, is a satisfying way to reconnect with our younger selves. Starting to ride again after a long gap is great for the body, mind, and …

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7 Terms to Know Before You Ride a Horse for the First Time

If you are just starting to take riding lessons, you will soon realize that there is a lot to learn, and a lot of new words! The horse world is filled with its own special lingo, and learning it can almost feel like learning a second language. Knowing the terms on this list will help …

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