Hi Learning to ride a horse can be one of the most thrilling experiences of your life, as long as you do it safely. The payoff lies not only in the freedom of galloping across a field on the back of an animal but also in enjoying the wondrous bond between human and horse.
Choose an Instructor Steps: 1. Find a competent teacher by talking to friends who have horses, visiting boarding facilities or looking in the yellow pages under Horses, Lessons or Riding. 2. Talk to the instructor. Ask what type of lessons he or she gives. Make sure the instructor knows you are a beginner and need a well-trained horse. 3. Ask the instructor about his or her riding experience. Does the instructor have formal training? Seek out an instructor who has taught riders of all levels so that he or she can help you as you improve. 4. Discuss your goals with your teacher. Do you just want to learn to ride so that you can borrow a friend's horse or so that you can go on a long trail ride? 5. Watch other riders taking lessons to observe your instructor's personality. Does he or she give instructions in easy-to-understand language? Is he or she patient? Tips: Just because a person is a good rider does not mean he or she is a good teacher. The instructor must be able to communicate effectively. Begin Lessons Steps: 1. Start with English-style riding, which requires more balance and is a strong foundation for all varieties of riding. Once you have mastered these skills, it will be easier to learn other riding styles. 2. Stick with it. Learning to ride a horse can be slow and tedious. Often you will feel like you are making progress, and other times you will feel completely uncoordinated. Don't give up. 3. If you are not happy with your progress, consider switching instructors. You have every right to find an instructor who meets your needs. Warnings: Be careful. Wear protective gear such as a helmet and long pants for protection in case of a fall. Always treat a horse with respect. Never abuse a horse, and never let a horse abuse you. Horses are powerful animals and will try to get away with anything if you let them. Be firm. Be cool and calm on your horse. Imagine you are flying through the air with your new friend. Be nice, calm, respectful, and have fun. You will end up with a life-long and loyal friend. To listen to the show archives go to link http://acbradio.org/handyman.html or ftp://ftp.acbradio.org/acbradio-archives/handyman/ The Pod Cast address for the Blind Handy Man Show is. http://www.acbradio.org/news/xml/podcast.php?pgm=saturday The Pod Cast address for the Cooking In The Dark Show is. http://www.gcast.com/u/cookingindark/main.xml Visit The New Blind Handy Man Files Page To Review Contributions From Various List Members At The Following Address: http://www.jaws-users.com/handyman/ Visit the new archives page at the following address http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]/ For a complete list of email commands pertaining to the Blind Handy Man list just send a blank message to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/blindhandyman/ <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
