Comments on: Riding exercises for first time horse owner and novice rider?

By: FantasticPosingGreed

FantasticPosingGreed — Wed, 28 Apr 2010 23:31:59 +0000

For the first day or two I wouldn’t do too much. You could take her around the barn area and to the arena to get her used to it. After she’s pretty settled in you could walk and trot her in the arena. If you don’t have one I would recommend walking so she won’t spook or do something stupid. Pretty much it depends on how good she is with change. I would just take it slow for the first week or two. Make sure she eats and drinks. Some horses don’t because of the stress. So just make sure she’s doing her normal horse things.
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By: SummerSea

SummerSea — Wed, 28 Apr 2010 23:05:59 +0000

Give her a day or two to acclimate to her new home. When you get on her for the first time make sure you are in full tack (saddle, bridle, stirrups and riding helmet and riding boots) and have a buddy present to hold her while you mount. Ride in an arena or other similarly enclosed space such as an unused paddock in case something happens and she runs off with you. You should be able to take her through the paces of basic ground work (walk, trot, canter) on the first day of your ride unless there is some indication that she is not sound, in which case you shouldn’t ride at all. I would limit my ride to not more than 30 minutes for the first day unless you are familiar with her prior fitness level. If you know for a fact that she has been worked regularly, is fairly fit and can handle a full hour of back to back ground work then a full hour ride would be fine, however, if you do not know her fitness level and it turns out that she has not been worked regularly it is wise to build up her top line (back muscles) before you begin jumping or going for long rides. If you are unsure of her fitness begin with 30 min. rides and work up by adding 10-15 min to the ride every few days provided your horse remains in good health. Don’t forget to check her feet to ensure she has had a recent trim (or shoed) before riding for the first time. Congratulations and enjoy the experience.
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experienced equine trainer/rider

By: Stella Lane

Stella Lane — Wed, 28 Apr 2010 22:49:59 +0000

Really the first few rides are all about getting to know each other. Spend time in the arena putting threw his paces. When you are comfortable try riding bareback so you can get to know the way she moves. Try some fun stuff like riding over poles or doing patterns. One of the things I love to do is ride while listening to my favorite music. It puts me in a good mood, helps me relax, and my horse seems to enjoy it!
Congratulation on getting your horse! I hope you guys have a blast!!!
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Personal Experience

By: D.arkness

D.arkness — Wed, 28 Apr 2010 22:06:59 +0000

Don’t ride for a couple days, when they first get "home" they need time to get used to everything. for the first two-four days walk her around get her used to thing that will/might scare her. Then try getting up bareback or with a saddle and try walking if she is ok with that try a trot and so on, but i would not try jumping for a week or so. haha i just remembered that wasnt your question! just trot her over poles and canter a couple laps then try a tiny jump and work your way up from there. good luck! also spend time with her petting and grooming her
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I just got my horse to! and this is the advice i go from my trainer, my horse in one that neck reins, but i dont i ride them tight, and if i did not try him out bareback i would of hit the ground the next day.