How to Prepare for Your First Horse Riding Lesson

Getting the Right Gear

Choose long pants made of soft materials for ease of movement. Jeans (unless they are stretchy) or other rough materials could irritate your skin and make it harder for you to move around. You don’t have to invest in riding breeches right away, but opt for pants that are soft, elastic, and that fit your body well. Yoga pants, jeans made of stretchy or elastic material, and exercise pants that are tapered or boot cut are great options. Absolutely don’t wear shorts. Your legs will chafe against the saddle and could get really irritated by the horse’s hair. Avoid swishy or slippery pants—the material could cause you to slip off the saddle.

Pick a shirt that will protect your skin from the sun. Chances are, you’re going to be outdoors during your riding lessons unless you’re going to an indoor arena. Sleeves will help protect your skin from scrapes and scratches, as well as protect you from potentially harmful rays. If you can, wear a long-sleeved shirt. If it’s too hot for that, pick a top that at least has short sleeves rather than a tank top. Choose a shirt made of a breathable material, like cotton, to keep your body cool during your lesson. Depending on the time of year, consider wearing a short-sleeved shirt under a long-sleeved one. That way, you can take off a layer if you get too hot.

Wear hard-toed boots that have a 1 to 2 in (2.5 to 5.1 cm) heel. Your boots should at least come up to your ankle to provide the best support, and they need at least a 1 in (2.5 cm) heel. The heel helps your feet stay on the stirrups more securely. The hard-toe is essential in protecting your feet if they accidentally get stepped on—normal shoes like tennis shoes are too soft and won’t protect your feet. If you aren’t ready to buy a pair of boots yourself, see if you can borrow a pair from a friend. Tennis shoes are too soft and can’t protect your feet if a horse steps on them.

Find a riding helmet that is secure and doesn’t wobble on your head. Chances are, a helmet will be provided to you at the stable if you don’t have one, but check with them ahead of time to make sure. If they don’t, you’ll need to buy or borrow one before your first lesson. Helmets are extremely important because they protect your head, and you won’t be allowed to get the horse unless you’re wearing one. If you’re planning on sticking with horseback riding for a long time, it’s not a bad idea to go ahead and invest in your own helmet. It can be somewhat unsanitary to share helmets with others—horseback riding can be really hard and you might sweat a lot.

Avoid wearing loose-fitting clothes or scarves. Loose pants might fall down, long shirts could get caught on things in the stable, and scarves could trip you up or even spook your horse if it falls off of you and onto its back. Opt for clothes that fit you well and keep your outfit simple. If your pants are a little too big but otherwise comfortable, wear a belt. If you’re in a colder atmosphere, wear a fleece-lined sweatshirt over your top, and wear something like a Buff to keep your face warm.

Working on Your Fitness

Work on your balance to prepare for your first time sitting on a horse. It takes a lot of muscle and really good balance to ride a horse! Yoga and pilates can really help you increase your balance; consider taking a class once a week or following a workout online. If you have better balance, you’ll feel a lot more comfortable the first time you get up on a horse. It can be a strange sensation to be so far off the ground!

Do leg strengthening exercises to prepare yourself for your first lesson. Your inner thighs will get a huge workout at your first lesson because you squeeze the horse to get it to change its gait, plus you use your core and legs to stay upright. Do squats and lunges to build up your muscles. You don’t have to go to the gym to workout. Look up at-home exercises and create a plan to spend 20 to 30 minutes every day working on your fitness.

Build up your core muscles to boost your horse-riding performance. Your core muscles also really help your balance, and you’ll use them a lot as you learn how to walk, trot, and canter your horse. Yoga and pilates are also great for building your core muscles. Some community centers and gyms offer core-strengthening classes. Try taking one if you like the idea of working out with others, or if you think you’d like the accountability that comes from having a prescheduled commitment.

Increase your endurance by doing regular cardio workouts. Horseback riding may look like it primarily involves the horse’s movements, but you actually get in a really good workout each time you ride. Start doing cardio by walking, running, swimming, biking, or using cardio equipment at the gym several times a week. If you’re new to exercising, try doing a low-impact workout to ease yourself into a new routine.

Stretch often to keep your muscles and limbs loose and relaxed. Stretching helps increase your flexibility, and it’ll help you prepare for the new ways you’ll be working your body at your first riding lesson. Plus, it can help prevent injuries and strained muscles. Take 5 to 10 minutes to stretch your arms, legs, and sides before and after each workout. You can even make stretching a normal part of your wind-down routine after each riding lesson.

Attending Your First Lesson

Schedule a beginner’s riding lesson with a reputable barn. Look for classes taught by a Certified Horsemanship Association (CHA) instructor. Look at stables in your area, and call them to ask questions if you can’t get all the details you need online. Once you make a decision, book the class and add it to your calendar. Questions to ask: Will the class be a solo session or a group class? What is the expense for the class? Do they provide a helmet for you? What level of knowledge are you expected to have upon arrival? Do you get a discount for buying multiple sessions rather than just one?

Show up 15 to 20 minutes early to meet your horse before your lesson. Before your class, look up how long it’ll take you to get to the stable. Give yourself some extra time in case you get lost, and add in some time so you can familiarize yourself with the stable when you get there. You’ll feel more comfortable if you have some spare time rather than having to walk right into your lesson. Don’t be afraid to ask questions. Your riding instructor will know it’s your first time riding and will be ready to teach you everything you need to know.

Bring along a water bottle and a snack in case you need a break. If you’re outdoors, you may get dehydrated from the sun pretty quickly. Your instructor will probably give you a few breaks during the lesson to have some water and use the restroom if you need to. Keep a granola bar or some other snack with you if you think you might need a little extra energy during your lesson. Speaking of food, don’t skip breakfast or lunch on the day of your lesson, even if you’re nervous. You need protein and fuel to help you get through your class, so make sure to take the time to eat a regular meal.

Be ready to listen to your instructor and learn about horseback riding. Your first lesson will probably include instructions on how to approach your horse and how to put on their bridle and saddle. Then, you’ll most likely walk the horse around so you can get used to each other before you actually get on the horse. Approach your lesson with an open attitude and commit to having a good experience. Even if you’ve done research and think you know a lot about horseback riding, be respectful of the instructor and listen to their advice. There is always something more you can learn!

Relax and have fun! Your first lesson will go by so quickly, and you’ll soon be looking forward to your next lesson. Try to stay calm and enjoy your experience—this could be the start of a lifelong hobby for you. A horse can pick up on your mood, so coming into the lesson calm and relaxed will benefit you both in having a successful first lesson.