Horse Riding Tips – 10 things you should do before getting on your horse

1  Have all your equipment at hand and ready before you bring the horse in.

2  Make sure it is in good repair.

3  Clean your horse well and look for any cuts, lumps or swelling.

4  Clean and inspect their hooves and shoes.

5  Tack your horse and make sure there are no wrinkles in the pad, put your hand under the gullet and make sure the pad isn’t pressing on the withers.  Put your girth up so the saddle doesn’t slip, but not tight.

6  Before you put the bridle on, if you haven’t already put your helmet on do so now, plus gather up your gloves, chaps, crop, and cell phone, to an area close at hand.

7 Bring your girth up a little more.

8  Stretch your horses legs forward to make sure there are no wrinkles of skin to be pinched by the girth.

9  Walk your horse to the mounting block and before mounting check your girth again.

10  Take a deep breath, leave all your cares behind, look into the eyes of your horse and agree that this is going to be a wonderful ride.

11.  After you ride around a little recheck your girth, your weight in the saddle will compress the pad.

12.  Smile!  You know you’d rather be riding.

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