Horseback riding is very fun and relaxing, but if it is not done correctly, it can be very dangerous not only to yourself, but also to your horse. There are several things to remember to ensure that you not only have a safe ride, but a fun one.

The most important thing to remember when riding horses is safety. You should always wear a helmet and the proper foot wear just in case an accident were to happen, this way your head will be protected in case of a fall and you will have less of a chance of getting your foot caught in the stirrups. The next thing you should check before ever mounting your horse is the condition of your tack. Check you bridle and make sure that all of the parts are in good condition and are not damaged and then check your saddle to ensure that all of the rigging is in good condition and make sure that the girth is tight enough to keep the saddle from slipping during your ride. Finally, check and make sure that the stirrups are the proper length for your legs. This will ensure that you will maintain a good seat while riding.

When you are riding, make sure that there is someone riding with you or that there is someone close by when you are riding. Never ride alone! Even the most experienced and broke horses can get scared and cause you to have an accident and you want to make sure that someone is around in case that were to happen.

After you get on your horse there are a few things that you should keep in mind. The most important thing is to sit up straight and look where you are going. If you are leaning to one side or the other in your saddle you will cause your horse to be off balance and you will hinder his movement. By sitting up straight, you will allow your horse to move as freely and naturally as possible. You also want to make sure that you are looking where you are going. This is very important, especially if you are riding with other people because you do not want to ride into anyone. Also, if you are looking where you want to go your horse will stay straight and his body will be in the correct position when he is traveling.

Finally, when you are riding make sure that you use more leg pressure than hand pressure on the bridle. You always want your horse moving forward. If you are constantly pulling on the reins, eventually, your horse will start to pull back and he will ignore any cues that you give him to slow down or to stop.

When you are finished riding, make sure that you always end on a good note and dismount on the left side. Un-tack you horse and give him a groom him well. You want to make sure that your horse always has a good experience so that you and your horse will be happy and will want to ride again.

Learn How To Ride a Horse Without Private Lessons With Our "Horseback Riding Guide". Comes with a Free Horse Riding Video for Better Understanding.