Horse riding has always been associated with a sense of adventure. Well, how can it not be? You are traversing across landscapes on a gentle giant that are infamous for their strength, and are classified under the category of some of the strongest animals in the world. While a horse riding holiday could be both astonishing and incredible, there may come some surprises here and there, so it is ideal that you go prepared. Riding a horse would be a dream-come-true for most people, but spending long durations on a saddle is not a piece of cake. It is a physically demanding activity, and it is important that you prepare yourself physically, practically, and mentally.
Are you planning your first ever horse riding holiday? If so, here are some suggestions that will help you prepare for the trip:
Choosing Based On Your Abilities
Horse riding is a physically demanding activity, and especially with a new horse, the experience may be different. You may be able to jump a 5 foot fence when you ride your own horse, but with a new one? That story would be different, and may not be as easy as how you play casino on mobile. You must be prepared well and give an extra focus on your physical fitness. So it is all the more important that you choose a destination that fits your abilities so that you can enjoy a fun and exciting trip that is convenient and comfortable for you.
Packing For The Ride
The packing list for a horse riding trip would probably be similar to the one you would create for a random trekking trip, such as layers, shelters, and sleeping arrangements, except for some additional riding gear, such as riding gloves, riding boots, or padded shorts or riding tights. Make sure to check the weather of the location and pack accordingly. If you are going during the summers, carrying a wide-brimmed hat, water bottles, and sunscreen is suggested. Whereas, if you are planning for a trip during the rainy season, then it might be difficult for you to change your clothes in between the trip, hence carrying a rain poncho. Most times, the horse handlers who accompany you will provide riding gear, such as stirrups, saddles, panniers, etc, so that’s taken care of, but the kitchen equipments may not be included by some trip agencies, hence it is important that you clarify the details and pack accordingly before you go for the trip.
Getting Adjusted To The Horse
Horses are popularly known to be sympathetic animals. There is a saying that goes like, “horses can smell fear”, and it is proven through various studies. For the very same reason, it is important that you remain calm throughout the ride. Horses can sense when you get nervous or anxious, and it makes them uncomfortable. Riding an uncomfortable horse is not going to be an easy experience. Of course, it’s not easy to be calm when you know that you are riding on top of giant animals who could easily ruin your day, but most horses are well-trained and in most trips there would be horse handlers who make sure that both you and the horse are safe and sound. So, a relaxed attitude and calm manner will help keep the horse relaxed, and then you can enjoy a peaceful and exciting horse riding trip.
Focus On Fitness
Although you wouldn’t be able to use your legs while riding a horse, you would still need to maintain a level of fitness so that you can remain stable and give the horse orders. If you have talked to someone who has gone horse riding before, they will tell you how physically demanding it can be. To be more specific, focus on leg and core workouts more, because you will need strength in your legs and core for you to stand on the saddle, push yourself up on the horse, and remain stable while you bounce around. Some suggestions of types of core, upper body, and leg exercises are given below:
Core exercises:
- Dead bugs
- Planks
- Bird dogs
- Russian twists
Upper Body:
- Plank
- Tricep pull-backs
- Upright rows
- Push-ups
Lower body exercises:
- Squats
- Lunges
- Step-ups
- Inner-thigh presses
Getting To Know What’s Expected Of You and The Horse
We all have different strengths and interests. Some may naturally be good in navigating thick forests, but poor in climbing steep mountainous regions. Whereas, some may be great at climbing steep hilly areas, but poor at navigating through thick forests. Hence, it is important that you choose a holiday according to your interests, skills, and limits, and once you do, it is recommended that you spend some time with the horse and handler before the trip, so that you can understand what you are capable of and identify the skills that you may not be so great at.
Horse riding is usually an eye-opening experience, not only because it is a challenge for both your mind and body, but also because leaving the city life for a bit, and reconnecting with nature and animals will implore you to question a lot things, bringing you perspectives that you may not have thought of otherwise. The above given tips are only some suggestions that you must consider, make sure that you do a better, more intensive research on the workout routines, packing checklist, weather of the destination, and more. This will help you be prepared for your trip and enjoy a wonderful and peaceful horse riding trip.