HORSES AND RIDERS
First things first, there’s no doubt that horses love their riders. But we can all understand that carrying a weight around, sometimes uphill or over rough terrain, might not be exactly what we want to do with our time. It seems a lot like work. Even if we say that horses aren’t working for us but with or alongside us, putting ourselves in theirs shoes, we have to recognise that we prefer to do work that’s not unnecessarily uncomfortable. So, what can we do to help horses enjoy rides?
THE EVIDENCE
Anyone who spends time around horses will tell you that they’re expressive creatures. They use body language to communicate their feelings, moods and likes and dislikes. For this reason, it’s possible to tell if a horse is enjoying an activity or not. Here are some places to keep an eye on:
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Head: Lowered, happy. Raised, stressed.
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Ears: Relaxed and to the side, happy. Laid back or turning, stressed.
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Legs: All four feet steady and even on the ground, happy. Weight on the rear legs or pawing, stressed.
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Tail: Swaying side to side, happy. Straight down or swishing, stressed.
Note - these are a few general signs that might apply to some horses more reliably than to others. If you have your own horse, you’ll learn how they communicate. If you’re riding someone else’s horse, listen to the owner.
HOW TO HELP
A well trained, well looked-after horse in good health and of riding age (generally 3 years old and above) should be perfectly capable of carrying a rider without experiencing pain. To maximise the horse’s comfort, and therefore enjoyment, there are a couple of things to bear in mind.
Horse equipment
Just as the clothes that people wear at work or to do an energetic activity aren’t designed solely for comfort, so the equipment that is necessary for horse riding can cause discomfort for the horse. Saddles, halters, bridles and bits have to be fastened to the horse. If they are the wrong size or are adjusted carelessly, the horse can suffer - especially true in the case of the bit, as it goes in the horse’s mouth. Taking time to find the correct equipment, known as tack, for your horse and to tack up correctly can do a world of good for the horse’s experience.
The human element
We mentioned that a horse can carry a rider, but one rider isn’t the same as all others. Each horse will have its own individual capabilities and preferences that have to be respected. The most important factor here is weight. While a large working horse might happily carry a load of over 15 stone, a pony will be much better suited to a child rider. There will also be some horses that are more patient with novice riders and others that can be best handled by experienced jockeys.
In addition, horses - just like people - are empathetic creatures that can pick up on the emotions of their riders. If you’re feeling stressed, anxious or nervous around a horse, it might start showing signs of the very same feelings. It’s important that you’re honest about your abilities and only take part in equestrian activities that you’re comfortable with. Likewise, you should give the experience the time and attention it deserves. If you’re worried about catching a train later that day or something similar, you might not get the release you’re hoping for from your ride.
ORGANISING A HORSE RIDING EXPERIENCE
Anyone browsing our site for a horse riding experience, will find themselves getting in touch with people who run riding schools, equestrian centres and livery stables. In other words, people who’ve chosen to dedicate their lives to horses. You can be sure that they have the best interests of their horses at heart. To deliver an experience that's enjoyable for both horse and rider, they’ll need to get some information from you in advance, namely your height and weight, your level of training or experience and your preferences when it comes to route. They’ll use these details to pair you up with the most suitable horse available and plan out the session, so be honest and don’t withhold any information. The more you tell them, the better the experience will be.
TAKE YOUR RIDES TO THE NEXT LEVEL
In case that hasn’t completely put your mind at rest, we can suggest some equestrian experiences that should ensure that everyone - horses included - has a good time.
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Go somewhere beautiful: Horses love wide open spaces, the absence of roads and clean, fresh air as much as we do. For maximum enjoyment, why not go horseback riding on the beach, backed by the beautiful Atlantic coast of Northern Ireland? Or spend a full day trekking through hills of mid Wales?
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Stop for breaks: Especially on a longer ride, you and your horse will want to take a breather, stretch your legs and have some refreshments. The horses will be happy with a few mouthfuls of grass, but you might prefer to stop by a country pub in the open landscape of Argyll and Bute.
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Take a carriage ride: You don’t have to climb onto a horse's back in order to go for a ride. Sitting back and relaxing in a horse-drawn carriage can increase your comfort and that of the horse. Check out these carriage rides in North Yorkshire.
