Horseback Riding - you should try it!

Riding lessons are lots of fun, but they can get really expensive. Warning . . . You will probably be stiff the next morning if you haven't ridden before, or took a long break off from riding. If you have the right horse, tack, and riding gear, you will have a lot of fun, just like me. I started riding at the Book Family Farm in PA. There is a little more info about Book Family Farm, and what you need for riding, in other parts of this lens.

I ride at Book Family Farm. It's lots of fun to ride there and be around horses. You can give Scottie a call, her number is 610.857.9127. Scottie is the instructor at the farm, and she trains horses, and gives lessons. She owns lots of horses, and boards them, too.

Contact Scottie
You can email her. Her address is: hallelujahhorses@verizon.net .
You can visit her website at www.hallelujahhorses.com

The Book Family Farm address:
251 S SANDY HILL RD
COATESVILLE PA 19320

You don't need much for yourself, but it would be very helpful to have:

1. A pair of riding boots These help you to keep your feet in the stirrups, and they look very proper too! (Substitute: Other boots with about an inch and a half of heel. Don't wear sneakers, and do not ride barefoot.

2. A pair of chaps
These will help you grip with your calf's, to help urge the horse to make him do what you want. There is no substitute for these, but chaps are not required.

3. Riding pants (or breaches)
These are an awesome thing to have while in the sport of riding. They help you get the grip, and stay on even better when riding bareback. Substitute: Jeans. Some riding schools do not allow jeans, but most places they work just fine.

4. A comfortable but suitable shirt
You are obviously going to need a shirt to ride in. Some riding schools may require a certain kind, but most allow tee shirts, and blouses that stretch. Substitute: Like I said, they allow pretty much anything, just make sure you get it approved, first!

5. A helmet
A helmet is VERY important to have! Not all barns supply helmets, and you should always wear one. You can buy them at tack shops, or online making sure they are the right size. If your helmet breaks you should get a new one. They make different kinds of helmets for all the kinds of riding.

6. Riding gloves
These are not required, but are very helpful to have! I used to have a pair of riding gloves, but they don't fit anymore. They make ones that keep your hands warm, and grip well!

A saddle is a seat you buckle onto a horse or pony, to keep yourself in place, and help grip. Yes, if you are a beginner, you do need one. There are many different kinds of saddles so now we are really talking! There are also many different parts. There are many parts like, pommel, gullet, seat, and many more.

You can learn more about the English Saddle or the Western Saddle.

The bridle helps you keep control over the horse by turning and telling them what you want them to do. Also like the saddle, the bridle has very many parts and here are some: noseband, cheekband, throatlash, and a lot more. There are more then one part of the bridle that you have to put together, so in other words, it is like a puzzle. It is a little hard putting it on, but using it is verry simple and easy. One of the basics, is to stop. To do so you gently pull back on the reigns.

You can read more about the bridle by clicking here.
(The link will take you to the bridle on Wikipedia.)

Indy is not my horse as in I own her, but I ride her. She is the horse I ride at lessons, and I love her. My first lesson she was a little pushy, but that is ok, I was going easy on her and I will show her I am the boss this time. I love her and she is very cute. She is a shetland pony. She is little and cute. I love her. My friend rides her at different lessons. That was my first lesson, so I might ride someone else, but I love Indy! She was nice and steady, and I think she liked me too, I hope :)

Teddy is almost like a palamino pony. He is the color anyway. He is a great pony. He is who I rode this past Tuesday. He is blind on one side, but still wonderful. I rode him, and I think I have to say, he cooperated a little better then Indy. They both are ponies. The funny thing is I heard Scottie say it isn't the horse or pony, it is the rider. I liked Teddy. He is the farms fastest pony! I will add some pictures so you know who he is. I got to saddle him up and brush him. He is cute. He likes to eat a lot, too.

The third and second lessons were the best. See, the Saturday, I went in, rode in circles, gave them a treat, and went home. On Tuesdays, I go in and tack up, brush them, ride them trotting and cantering. And soon to be: jumping! A walk is walk, a trot is a jog, canter is running and galloping is sprinting. I have trotted walked and cantered. They are all a lot of fun. So, I learned a lot more on Tuesdays. It was awesome! I go every Tuesday now, but take the winter off.