Essay topic: How to ride a horse
Glossary:
Halter-A horses headgear to which a lead rope and reigns are attached
Leadrope-A rope that attaches to the Halter used to lead a horse to where you want it when you
are not the one riding
Reins- a rope that attaches to two ends of the Halter, allowing you to turn the horses head and
steer it
Saddle-A seat you place upon the horse, allowing for gentler riding and fewer injuries
Tack-all of the gear used for riding a horse safely
Mount/dismount-the process of getting on and off of a horse safely
Stirrup-a light frame hanging up the saddle where one places their feet when riding or mounting.
Horses seem almost designed to be ridden. Horse riding has a place in almost every culture
on earth, slowly spreading across all its many corners. However it is a skill that many do not
have in the modern day, and horses are more than capable of annihilating the average
inexperienced human being. With the proper training and practice however, riding can become
second nature. This essay is a simple guide to how to attach the proper tack to, mount, and
eventually ride a horse.
The first step is to properly move and gear up the horse, and the rider. First the rider must put
on long pants, riding boots, and a helmet in order to ensure their own safety. While in its stable,
riders attach the halter by sliding it onto the horse's head. Then they attach the leadrope to one
of the metal rings on the halter,, and lead the horse out to where one intends to mount it. The
next step is to attach the saddle by placing it atop the horse and connecting it underneath, the
handles on the saddle should face towards the horse's head. Finally they attach the reins to the
Halter and remove the leadrope.
Once the rider and steed are suited up, mounting a horse for the first time is an even more
daunting prospect. First, the rider must stand next to the horse and grab the handles on the
saddle. Then they must raise the leg closest to the horse up high, and pull themselves up. While
pulling themselves up, they will place their other leg in one of the stirrups giving them more
support. Finally, they face forward, letting both their legs rest and placing the remaining leg in
the opposite stirrup, sitting safely on the saddle atop the horse. Dismounting after this is as
simple as removing both feet from the stirrups and moving them both to the same side, then
sliding down.
To actually ride a horse, the rider must know the proper verbal and nonverbal commands. To
make a horse move, the rider squeezes it with their legs. Once the horse is moving it can be
steered by pulling the reigns in different directions. To make a horse stop, the rider puls back on
the reigns and says "woe!". It usually takes quite a bit of time for someone to get used to this,
but with this basic information and practice one can do just about anything.
Horse riding is of course more messy and complicated than reading about it would suggest.
The gear is essential to the safety of both the rider and the horse. Mounting can seem terrifying
even if they know how. Riding takes years of practice to get good at. These steps will, hopefully,
let anyone get started on this difficult journey. This essay was a simple guide to riding a horse.