19 Horseback Riding Tips from a 12-Year-Old

My 12-year-old niece has been horseback riding for over a year now. At her first show, she won two FIRST place ribbons and ONE third place ribbon. I'm one proud auntie. 

---

Here are 19 Horseback Riding Tips that helped her grow as a rider

---

1. Always be aware that horses are wild animals and can hurt you.
2. If you’re on a bucking horse, never just get off and give up on them because that's teaching them that every time they buck, you will just get off of them and they'll be done.
3. Never jump close to another horse. It’s very dangerous. The horses could collide.
4. Always stay a horse length distance away from another horse.
5. Reward good behavior and punish bad.
6. When riding, sit up tall, shoulders squared, heels down in your stirrups. 
7. Keep your eyes looking between the horses ears. Always look where you want to go.
8. To steer, use the rains that are attached to the bridal. 
9. Wear long pants to protect your legs from chaffing against the saddle and closed-toe shoes. 
10. A good shoe to wear is one with a small heel to keep your feet from slipping out of the stirrups. 
11. Don’t wear accessories that can get caught up in the tack. For example: scarves, thin tank tops, long loose sweatshirts or shirts, etc. 
12. When leading a horse, always stand left to their head and next to their eye so they can see you.
13. If you have the horse's halter on while leading, never let the lead rope dangle. The rope can get caught in their legs and trip them. 
14. When you get on a horse, get on with your left foot in the stirrup and swing your right foot over, but only if you are right handed. Do the opposite if you’re left handed. 
15. To lift up a horse's foot, go down the leg with your hand, gently pinch the lower tendon that runs on the back side of the horse's leg. If the leg still doesn’t lift, use your shoulder and push all your weight against their leg.
16. When on a bucking horse, sit back and gain control back. Don’t let the horse take control. You have to show them who the real boss is.
17. When jumping, warm up by guiding your horse toward the jump slowly. Let them smell it and look at it first to get used to it. Then you can continue to jump.
18. ALWAYS WEAR A HELMET!
19. Last but not least, always have fun.