I am interested in taking horse riding lessons and I wanted to know a few tips that you might have. For instance:
1. How to know if you are going to fall off the horse/what to do if you do
2. How to stay on the horse and keep balance
3. How to stay on when doing jumps
And any other helpful advice you might have!
Thanks! 
Other Links
- Horse Training Videos – Horse Training Tips – Horseback Riding » Blog Archive » Horse Training Tips: Calm Your Horse – Use A Goat
- Horse Riding Exercise | Suction Horse
- I’m thinking about taking horseback riding lessons. Which discipline or sport would you recommend? | Equestrain Hobbiest Information
Tacking Up
1. You should brush your horses before you ride, then you should get your Saddle and Bridle ready
2. Examine your saddle and bridle carefully to make sure they are intact. Make sure there aren’t any missing, worn, or broken pieces.
3. Check your horse for cuts. Rub your hand all over it and make sure there are not any open wounds.
4. Groom your horse:
-Go over your horse with a rubber curry. Move it in circles, removing any loose hair.
-Use the stiff brush. Move it with the hair in long strokes ending with a flick of the brush. This removes dust and hair that the rubber curry comb brought to the surface.
-Use the soft brush next. Go with the hair in long strokes. Use the soft brush all over the horse’s body and face.
-Use the hoof pick. Use it on the horse’s front and back hooves, removing any mud, manure, or stones your horse may have picked up.
Make sure you groom the girth area.
5. Put on the saddle.
-Tighten the girth but you must be able to fit four fingers in between so you don’t overtighten it. Then walk your horse a little to make sure the horse isn’t bloated. This may seem cruel, but horses will puff up their stomachs so the girth is loose. The girth won’t cause them any pain or discomfort if it’s put on properly.
-Tighten the girth again. You should be able to fit two fingers between the girth and the horse.
6.Put a halter on so that you can lunge your horse before you ride. (See Tips below for an alternative.)
7. Put on the bridle. Mount up and ride!
Untacking
1. Untack your horse.
2.If your horse is hot, walk it around until it has cooled off.
3. Brush your horse again with the soft brush.
4. If your horse has a sweat stain where the saddle was, rinse your horse off with a hose. Walk your horse around until it dries. Only rinse your horse if it is warm outside.
5. Put your horse back out in the pasture or into the stall.
Riding Tips/ How To Ride
1.First, find a qualified, knowledgeable riding instructor. If you are new to horses, you should always learn with an experienced instructor.
2. Stand on the near, left side of the horse. Gather the reins in one hand, put your left foot in the stirrup, and hold onto the wither, (holding onto the saddle when mounting will cause it to slide). Keep both your hands on the front of the horse. You can also hold the cantle of the saddle (back or seat) with your right hand when mounting).
3. Push up and swing your right leg over the back of the horse, keeping your leg from kicking the horse’s flank.
4. When mounted, gather your reins and then hang both legs down near stirrups and make sure they are the right length by having the stirrup reach your ankle. You should also be able to simply slide your feet into the stirrup while lifting your feet about a few inches
5. Start off with a slow walk. To ask for this pace, squeeze your legs, (lower calf) and the horse should move off. Only kick the horse if he does not respond to repeated squeezes. You don’t want to teach him bad habits by ignoring you. The walk is a 4 beat gait, meaning you can feel when each hoof hits the ground. After a few minutes stop and check your girth, you should be able to fit 4 fingers between the girth and the horse, if you can fit more, then you must tighten the girth.
6. While walking, make sure to keep your heels down, back straight and chin up. Your body should form a straight line that can be drawn from your heel, to the hips, to the shoulders.
7. There are two kinds of reining. In English riding, bit reining is predominant. In bit reining, you should pull slightly on the reins to turn the horse’s head in order to turn. In Western riding, neck reining or direct reining is used. To neck rein, slide the reins in the direction you wish to go, putting pressure against the opposite side horse’s neck that you want to turn to.
8. Most riders think you pull on the left rein to go left and the right rein to go right. This is true, but not very effective and may cause long term health problems having to do with the mouth of your horse. Learn how to steer with your legs. For example if you want to go left, use your opposite leg (right leg) and put pressure on the horse with the leg. While you are putting pressure with your right leg, "open the door" with your left hand. That means you loosen up the reins only in your left hand and pull outward like you are opening a door. Doing those two things plus steering with your reins gives you perfect control.
9. When stopping, pull back on the reins and sit deep; you may have to lean back a bit and put your weight into your bottom and heels. When halted, release reins as the reward and pat your horse. Direct reining is just like bit reining, it is usually used with a green horse, but can also be used with any horse.
10. Practice the basics, turning in each direction, and stopping and starting until you are completely comfortable on the horse. You may also want to practice mounting and dismounting, as it will