Learning How to Jump - Part 1 What to Expect at Your First Horseback Riding Lesson
Your first lesson at a jumping barn is going to depend a lot on what type of program the barn offers. A lot of barns will start lessons off teaching basic horsemanship skill but, a lot will have you riding on your first lesson. When getting ready for your first lesson, ask the trainer what they require you to bring. For your first few lessons shoes with a heel, like hiking boots, and a bicycle helmet should be just fine. A lot of barns have a stash of adjustable helmets or old helmets that do not fit, this is not safe, so just be prepared and bring your own. You should also wear a pair of jeans or, I highly recommend Carhartt tights. You can buy a cheap pair of breeches, but I would just wait and see if you really like it, and want to commit to buying gear. Also, it will give you a chance to see what everyone else is wearing and ask questions about what they like.
What You Should Expect at your First Riding Lesson
Everyone is going to have a little different experience at their first lesson, as some people might be catching their horse in the field, grooming, and tacking up themselves because before your first ridden lesson, you were taught all these basics. For most people though, at your first lesson, the horse will likely be tacked-up and waiting for you on crosstie’s.
A quick step by step play book of what to expect.
1. Sign a liability waiver.
2. Get fitted for a helmet or, the trainer should check to ensure that the helmet you brought is well fitted.
3. The trainer should make sure your footwear is acceptable.
4. If you are wearing jeans, they can polo wrap your legs to keep the jeans downs (not required, but its good customer service).
5. Give you some basic safety tips for leading the horse and being near it, such as do not stand behind it.
6. Lead the horse into the ring with a bridle with reins and a lead rope and tighten its girth.
7. Give a quick breakdown of how to stop and steer and go forward so your not totally clueless when you get on.
8. The trainer should pre-adjust your stirrups.
9. Show you how to mount the horse. You should NOT be mounting from the ground; you should be using a mounting block or step ladder.
10. Readjust stirrups.
11. Trainer should put your body in the right position, show you how to hold the reins and walk you around on a lead rope. This might be all for the lesson, it will depend on how comfortable you are on a horse.
12. Lunge in a circle at a walk.
13. Teach you how to properly dismount.
14. Lead horse out and show you how to untack.
15. Teach you how to groom a horse after a ride.
The list above is the minimum of what you should expect at a first lesson expect the tacking up and untacking if you’re at a barn that doesn’t do that. You should feel safe
A Detailed Look Into Your First Lesson
When mounting, you always get on from the left side of the horse. For your first lesson, the trainer should ask you to get on the mounting block and they should walk the horse to the mounting block so that the stirrup is right in front of you. You will put your left hand on the horses mane right in front of the saddle and grab some mane, (some places might have a strap on the saddle to grab) your right hand will grab the back of the saddle, put your left foot in the stirrup and swing your leg over so that you are seated on the horse. For a first-time rider, it can be a little tricky to get your foot in the stirrup, so your trainer should help you place the balls of your feet on the stirrup irons. You should be careful keep your ankle stable, as sometimes people will roll their ankle if the stirrup or horse moves unexpectedly. You should have safety stirrups as well.
The horse should be attached to a lead rope or lunge line that the trainer is holding. Before doing much, the trainer should walk you away from the mounting block so if something does spook the horse, you do not fall on the mounting block. It is also poor etiquette to block the mounting block from others using it.
Once the trainer has walked you away from the mounting block, they should show you how to hold the reins, show you where your feet should be on the stirrups, where your leg and body should be, and how to sit properly. They should explain how to squeeze the horse with your legs to make it walk, and show you how to pull the reins to make them stop, and turn.
Next, once the trainer has adjusted your position, and you are centered and comfortable, they will walk you around the ring. If you have good balance and are comfortable, they will let you start steering while still walking with you and holding the horse. If you are comfortable, they will then lunge the horse at a walk. Lunging is where they use a long lead line, and the horse makes a big 15-meter circle around the trainer. This allows the rider some freedom to steer and gain confidence while the trainer is in control from a distance.
There are some trainers that would let their students try trotting on the first lesson on a lunge line but, it depends on how comfortable they are. Some people will walk on a lunge line for the first 5 lessons and that is it, and some people trot their first lesson. You shouldn’t measure your ability based on the speed of progress at this stage. Take your time, do what you are comfortable with. A good trainer will know when and how far to push you. They have likely seen enough newbies come through where they are a good judge.
Some people at a first lesson, might not trot on a lunge line but, might be taught to steer around cones or obstacles, and really practice balance and steering before moving into the trot. But, for the most part, your first two or three lessons should be a combination of a lot of walking, and maybe some trotting on the lunge line, and practicing to steer and stop while off the lunge line.
Let me know below in the comments blow what your first lesson was like!