Tuesday 12 August 2014

Horseback Riding: Finding Your Way in the Horse World

Horseback riding is a fantastic hobby, but if you want to, it can turn into a very fulfilling sport as well.  Many people start out horseback riding as just a hobby, riding with friends on the trails or taking riding lessons at a local barn.  First time riding lessons all have the same basics, no matter whether you start Western or English.  You may not even know what the other seat is at first, if you’re starting out without official lessons.  As you grow and learn though, you start to realize just what a good horse and rider team are capable of. 

http://hoofdirectory.com/You may happen to catch the rare horse show on TV when the Olympics are on, or attend a local rodeo and see the speed classes.  If you’re with an instructor, they may take you to a schooling show with other students.  However you are exposed to these different forms of horseback riding, chances are you are going to be hooked and want to move past your current level.
There are several ways to do that.  One of the easiest is if you are already with an instructor.  There’s a good chance they have competed in the professional horse world at some point in their life if they are getting paid for riding instruction.  They can give you ideas on what types of competitions are out there and help you find resources for your interests.  An instructor can also help you advance, and good instructors will admit when they can no longer help you and usually will assist you in finding a higher-level instructor so you can keep moving forward or in a different direction.
If you aren’t already with an instructor, this is a good time to start looking.  If you want to move higher in your level, you can benefit tremendously from having guidance.  Look into what local trainers are in your area.  If you can’t find any in the phone book, equestrian publications or on the internet, ask around at your local feed and tack store or vet’s office.  Local show circuits tend to post their show bills at the stores as well.  Go to a show and look around.  If you see several horses at one trailer, all with different riders, chances are good it will be an instructor with their students.
If you would rather research your choice of discipline first, the internet is a great place to start.  Almost all equestrian sports have some kind of organization, and very likely, there is a regional chapter all online.  Some examples are the United Stages Dressage Federation (USDF), National Reining Horse Association (NRHA), United States Hunter/Jumper Association (USHJA) and the Pony Club, which is international.  If you want to go breed specific, every registered breed has an organization.  For example, there’s the American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA), The Jockey Club (for Thoroughbreds), Arabian Horse Association (AHA) and the American Saddlebred Horse Association.  These organizations’ websites are always a wealth of information.  They often list local breeders in the area and many organizations also list instructors and local show barns.  Don’t be afraid to reach out via the contact information.  Most horseback riders have no problem with either providing information for you or pointing you in the right directions.
If you own your own horse, you want to consider their capabilities in your decision as well.  Does their conformation allow them to move in the direction you want to go?  Do they have any chronic health or lameness issues that might halt their progress?  Are they older and not able to handle the sustained, more intense work that a show career requires?  The answer to any of these questions may require you needing to think about another horse.  If you want to give your current horse a good retirement, are you financially able to afford two horses?
One possibility if you do not want to actually go out and buy a new horse is to lease a horse.  This could give you a good prospect for whatever sport you choose without the permanent obligation.  Buying or leasing a horse is a whole other article, however, so I will not go into the details here.
If you aren’t financially able to travel down this path yet, it never hurts to do the research anyway.  There are so many sources out there today, the hardest part is finding the one that’s reliable.  National and regional organizations are typically a safe bet for reliable information, as are actual published books.  Try your local library first to see what content they have and take advantage of the inter-library loans to seek out more information.  Breed and event organizations will also typically send out packets of information if you ask for it.  If you do not have access to riding yet and want to try to start, some instructors are willing to trade out work for lessons if you cannot afford to pay.  It never hurts to ask.  If that particular instructor is not willing to do that, they may know someone who is.  If you truly want to compete in the horse world, networking is crucial.  The horse world is smaller  than many people realize, and there is a wealth of information and contacts out there.  Ask around and someone will help out in some way, maybe by just loaning a book or offering to give you an introduction lesson.   Good luck in your journey!


 


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