There’s nothing like the feeling of riding a horse. For many, it’s more than just a hobby—it’s an entire lifestyle. Riding is fun and challenging and can be a great way to meet new people. But that all changes when you bring home your first horse and realize how much work is involved!
Mistakes Made by New Horse Riders
Luckily, we’ve got some tips for people riding a horse for the first time, so you don’t make these common mistakes:
Not researching riding a horse extensively
If you’re considering getting into the horse business, I suggest you start by researching. Many people think they can go out and buy a horse and ride it around. That’s not how it works. It would help if you did your homework before starting any new project. It would be best if you learned as much as possible about the breed(s) of horse that best suits your needs, both in terms of temperament and physical attributes.
Also, consider whether or not there are any negative characteristics associated with these breeds (no one wants an aggressive animal). Don’t forget to look into their training methods and see if there are any special considerations for each one! When considering where you’ll live, ask yourself what kind of climate is best suited for riding – hot? Cold? Humid? Dry? Is there enough land available for pasture grazing? Are neighbors close enough, so their animals don’t wander onto yours accidentally (or intentionally!)? How far away from civilization would be ideal?
What type of terrain do you prefer:
- Flat plains or rolling hills.
- Rocky mountainside trails or sandy beaches.
- Wooded forests filled with wildlife.
Not investing in riding training
Before buying any horse, decide what kind of riding you want—and then find out which breed is best suited for that purpose.
Then, if possible, meet with a professional trainer who can advise you on breeds and training methods. If they say, they want to sell you a registered Thoroughbred racehorse or show jumper so cheap because it’s not “perfect” or some other reason that sounds fishy… run away as fast as you can!
The best horse for your needs will have been bred for that purpose; its temperament should also be appropriate for the job.
And finally: no matter how much money someone wants to sell their horse, it’ll never be worth less than dead weight at the bottom of your driveway!
Forgetting to consider is your place of residence suitable for riding a horse
First, you should consider the climate and temperature of your region. If you live in an area with harsh winters, you might want to look for a boarding facility that offers indoor stabling or at least has a place where your horse can stand out of the weather when necessary.
Similarly, if you live in an area with long summer heat waves and very little shade available to protect your horse from the sun, it would be wise to seek out facilities with air-conditioned stalls or large paddocks to rest comfortably during those times. It also helps if ample land is available for riding trails and exercise areas and access to other facilities.
For example, horse shows, trainers, veterinarians, and feed stores (for purchasing hay) are near enough so that they don’t require too many trips outside of your hometown if necessary—and more importantly, they won’t cost too much money! Considering how having enough space for a horse is essential if you live in a small city apartment, it just won’t work. In that case, consider some other exotic pets suitable for small spaces.
Expecting to ride a horse the very first day
Riding a horse the very first day you bring it home will not happen. This is one of the biggest mistakes new horse owners make. It’s easy to get excited and want to take your new horse for a spin, but you need to remember that they will likely be more nervous than average on their first day at their new home, which makes them more likely to act out to feel comfortable around you.
You should take it slow and allow them time (sometimes months) before expecting them to be ready for anything beyond walking around in an enclosed area and wearing tack comfortably. Your horse may not even be able to carry a rider yet; they may not have enough muscle mass or bone strength.
They might also need some time off from being ridden every day before working again. This is essential so that soreness doesn’t develop into injury or lameness issues.
Ignoring the importance of the training
While it’s true that horses are not born trained, they are also not born knowing how to be ridden. They don’t know what it means to “listen” or respond positively when you ask them to do something. Teaching a horse how to behave around people and other horses takes time and patience.
The same goes for training your horse. It takes time and dedication before you can expect them to listen on command or behave in certain situations.
Purchasing a horse that is not compatible with you
It’s important to buy a horse that is compatible with you. This means that it should be neither too large nor too small for your physical condition and compatible with your riding style and personality.
Don’t buy a horse that is too aggressive: If you know nothing about horses, it might be tempting to get one who is aggressive and challenging because he seems like he’ll keep you on your toes. But this isn’t always the case! Aggressive horses can be unpredictable and difficult to control. They may bite or rear up unexpectedly; kick out at people who approach them from behind; pin their ears back when approached by other animals or children (or even dogs!).
Please don’t buy a horse that is too timid: A timid horse will not want to go out into unfamiliar places (like cross country courses) because they are afraid of what might happen there! It’s also likely that this type of animal wouldn’t be comfortable around new people either, which could prevent newer riders from trying out new things such as jumping fences or doing dressage tests where a lot of people are watching them ride around. In circles doing fancy maneuvers!
Giving up too early on riding a horse
You might think you’ve tried everything, but there is always a solution to a problem as long as you are willing to look for it. It’s important not to be afraid of asking for help or trying again if something doesn’t work out the first time. If your horse doesn’t understand what you’re asking him to do, it may just need more training and practice. You should also keep an open mind; try new things until you get it right! Don’t be afraid of trying different approaches and horses until one works for both of you!
Responsibilities of having another life depend on you
The responsibility of having another life depending on you for survival cannot be understated. You need to be able to feed your horse, take care of it and clean up after it. As we all know, this can get expensive. And if you’re a new rider, there’s a good chance you don’t have the money to pay for everything needed to have a healthy horse. If you can’t afford food, vet bills, or boarding fees, then maybe buying another life isn’t the best idea.
For those who are serious about learning how to ride but aren’t sure if they can afford it yet:
If any part of your budget seems too high for what you want/need out of riding (like going out every weekend), consider taking lessons instead. That way, when someone offers their old horse as an option later on down the line (when finances are more secure), there won’t be any hesitations or awkward scenarios where money talks louder than love!
Failing to consult a professional for advice on breeds, behaviors, and training methods
The most common mistake people make when buying a horse is not consulting a professional for advice on breeds, behaviors, and training methods. Consulting a professional is not only necessary but also inexpensive. Doing so can avoid mistakes that could cost you thousands in veterinary bills. You will get the most out of your horse by learning about its needs. It will allow you to care from the beginning properly.
Forgetting that horses grow and change, and so do their temperament and energy level
When you begin riding a horse, you’ll probably be as excited to ride at any time and place. But your horse may have different ideas. Like humans, horses are living creatures with their own needs and moods.
They grow and change over time. Depending on the animal you’re riding, they might not be ready for the same things as their rider—and vice versa!
For example:
- If your horse is young, it may not be physically mature enough to carry a rider yet (or maybe not even big enough).
- If your horse was initially bred for racing or jumping competitions (like polo), he might need more exercise than an inexperienced rider can provide.
Don’t get frustrated if this happens! Your trainer will help figure out how much work each person should do together so that both parties’ goals are met without causing undue stress on either side of this partnership.
Conclusion
The most important thing to remember is that riding a horse is a lifelong journey. It’s not something you can do overnight or even in one year. If you want to learn how to ride, do your research, and don’t be afraid of investing in training! Taking lessons from an experienced instructor will help you avoid many mistakes new riders make and keep your horse safe while they work on their skills. If you liked this article, you might want to check our other pet-related posts!