Beginner horseback riding lessons are very repetitious, with the riding instructor shouting the same advice over and over again. Novice riders can improve the horseback riding experience and progress faster in lessons if they commit these rules to memory.
Of course, it is important to realize that it takes time. Eventually, a rider's body follows these rules automatically without the rider having to self-correct. Until then, memory is the rider's best tool.
Heels Down
Perhaps the most common rule for novice riders is "heels down." This means that the heel of the foot is always lower than the ball of the foot in the stirrup. In beginner horseback riding, the heel might have a tendency to creep up because people balance on the balls of their feet when walking and running.
The purpose of the heels down rule is to keep the foot from sliding forward in the stirrup and to balance a rider on her three seat bones. This keeps the rider's weight back and centered evenly over the horse's spine.
Thumbs Up
In both western and English beginner horseback riding, it is important to keep the thumbs up on the reins. This means that there is a straight line from the rider's elbow to his pinky finger. Novice riders often flatten the hand when focusing on other tasks on horseback.
Thumbs up is important for equestrian basics because it forces riders to use the strongest parts of their arms when steering their horses. If the hand is flat with the thumbs pointed inward, the only power comes from the forearm. When the thumbs are up, however, the rider can tap power from the bicep as well.
Toes In
Novice riders should focus not only on pushing their heels down, but also turning their toes in. This is an integral part of riding leg position, and it aids in creating the appropriate horseback riding posture.
Toes in also places the inside of the calf directly on the horse's sides. This makes leg aides far more effective.
Elbows In
It is common for novice riders to stick their elbows out when they are focused on cuing their horses with their legs. However, elbows should remain at the sides for proper horseback riding posture; this makes the hands far more effective.
Ideally in horseback riding posture, the arms should create a right angle from shoulder to elbow, to wrist. There are times when the hands must be held lower than the elbow, but it is nevertheless a good rule to follow for novice riders.
Eyes Up
For some reason, novice riders frequently look down at their horses rather than where they are going. Think of this like driving a car – a driver will crash his vehicle if he stares at the steering wheel. Eyes up allows the rider to plot his course and identify any obstacles in the horse's path.
In beginner horseback riding, it is important for the rider to look exactly where she wants her horse to go. In turning a circle, for example, the rider should look to the center of the circle and move around that point.
Shoulders Back
Correct horseback riding posture requires that the shoulders roll back rather than forward. This straightens the back and prevents the horse from pulling the rider forward. If the shoulders are back, the elbows can fall at the rider's sides, and she has more control over herself and her horse.
This is a tremendous amount of information to absorb and apply, and all novice riders make mistakes. It is not uncommon to hear advice given numerous times during beginner horseback riding lessons, and this does not mean that the rider is failing.
However, novice riders can improve their performance by focusing on all parts of their body while riding. Making regular checks of heels, thumbs, toes, elbows, eyes and shoulders will help a rider master these equestrian basics early on.
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