Horse Riding

Horse Riding: Pleasure Riding, Horse Treks, and Hacking...People who ride for recreation often prefer horseback riding...It's an awesome way to relax and tune into nature...

Horseback riding in New Zealand is a very popular pastime, with many kiwi kids starting at a very young age, especially if they come from the country.

There are few more enviable sights in the world than a horse and rider enjoying a happy, trusting partnership.

To be able to harness the spirit and beauty of an animal as majestic as the horse, so that he is happy to work with you and willing to do all that he is asked of you, has to be one of life's greatest pleasure's.

A horse and rider in harmony appear to move by magic, but whilst the spectator may appreciate the words of Robert Surtees...

"There is no closer secret, than that between a rider and his horse"

Anyone who has experienced some of the setbacks that can occur whilst trying to aquire the art of horsemanship may wonder if these words were spoken with admiration, envy, or in sheer frustration!

Learning to ride involves two living creatures - the rider is reliant on the horse's generosity and co-operation; the horse, in return, deserves fair and sensitive treatment from his rider.

Voted the "Ultimate Horse Trek" Experience in New Zealand

Horsetrekking along some of NZ’s stunning ocean beaches and forest trails, can be one of the most satisfying and enjoyable activities a person can do...However, who you do it with...can either turn it into a positive and memorable experience...or a drama you could have done without...

For some, pony and horse riding is an occasional pastime, for others it is a lifelong passion - either way it should be a pleasure for both horse and rider.

Not only is it an excellent form of exercise, but its a great way to tune into nature and experience high levels of peace and tranquility.

This horse video has some great horseback riding tips....enjoy

Are you a Beginner?

If you're still learning, or maybe you've never even sat on a horse, their are some important basic steps that you need to be aware of.

Are you using the correct bridle or saddle?...Are they positioned right?...

Once you have mounted your pony or horse, the means of communication are through the use of your legs, seat, hands and voice. Anything that you ask the horse to do - from simply walking forwards, to performing an intricate dressage movement, to jumping a fence, is achieved by using a combination of leg, seat, hand and sometimes the voice.

The art of riding lies in learning to 'feel' what the horse is doing underneath you, and understanding how to influence what he does and how well he performs by mastering the subtle combination of leg, seat and hand.

These means of communicating with the horse are called aids. Leg, hand and seat aids, as well as your voice, are called natural aids and they can be backed up by the artificial aids, which are the spur and whip.

The spur is a short stump of blunt metal which is worn over the riders boot just above the heel; the whip is either a short stick, or a longer schooling whip.

Just as a car responds instantly to a touch on the accelerator, a horse should move forward the instant he feels a light squeeze from the riders leg....The feeling of lightness and control which power steering in a car gives you, is the same feeling that a well schooled horse should give you through the reins.

Just an inclination of your hand to guide the horse in one direction or another, or a slight squeeze and hold of the rein to help gather up all his energy and power, is all that should be needed.

It takes a long period of careful training for a horse to become as responsive as this, and it takes time and practise for a rider to get to the stage of being able to provide that training.

In the beginning, as a general rule of thumb, the novice rider should appreciate that it is the legs that are used first and foremost to instruct the horse to do something... The legs create the power, while the hands gently guide the horse in the right direction.

It is also important to know how and when to best feed and water the horse, while horse riding...how to tie it up out in the open...how to cope with wounds, lameness and a loose shoe...what to carry on both long and short rides...how to pack and fasten these items on the horse...what grooming and tack items you need to take along...and of course, how to prepare for the ride...

Once you have mastered the basics of horseriding...a whole range of equestrian sports can be pursued, eg:...dressage...show jumping...racing...or even dabbling in the world of horse breeds etc...

The following video has some great riding tips for beginners....