Hi Ho Silver! Away!

Soap Box Derby

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Hi Ho Silver! Away!

This page is my intro into English Riding. I'm the site's super cool new co-publisher (my partner has absolutly no experience with horses :3 ) and i've been riding for two and a half years and am a level 2+ rider- that means i walk, trot, canter, jump and can do it all without stirrups ^_^.

Terms You Need To Know

*poll: the top of the horse's head, between the ears

*withers: a horse's shoulders, this is where a horse's height is measured

*Outside and Inside on a horse are determined by which direction you circle, if you circle to the left, the horse's right is the outside, and vice versa

* Rein: the long straps running from the bit in the horse's mouth to the rider's hands. Also can refer to the direction of circling, "left rein" means you would circle left, with the left rein on the inside. The same goes for "right rein"

*Bit: the part of the bridle which fits in the horse's mouth. A bit can be made of leather or rubber, but most frequently is metal

2. Bridle: the part of equipment which fits over the horse's head and gives the rider control of the horse's movement.

1. Saddle:a saddle goes over the horse's back right behind the withers. Different types of riding require different saddles. English saddles don't have a horn and are much smaller than western saddles, they also have less padding

3. Stirrup Leathers: these straps attatch the stirrups to the saddle. They go up under the top flap of the saddle on either side and over a small bar. Saddles are designed so that the stirrup straps will slide off this bar if they are pulled backwards, this is to prevent the rider from being dragged if they are thrown but get caught in the stirrups.

4. Martingale: a martingale is a chest piece that attatches to the saddle and reins, it it to help keep the saddle from sliding and can prevent the horse from throwing its head up.

5. Stirrups: stirrups are where you put your feet (I bet u all knew that already). What you probably didn't know is that for centuries after humans began riding horses they didn't have stirrups, they were invented in central asia by the tribespeople there to allow their archers greater support and range or movement. This innovation spread west, strengthening cavalries and making it easier to stay mounted. When riding it is advisable to wear boots with heels to prevent the stirrup from slipping over your foot and thereby trapping you if you were to be thrown.

6. Saddle Pad: an integral part of any riding gear, the saddle pad goes on the horse's back before the saddle to help protect the horse from much of the wear and tear of a saddle. When riding bareback there is something called a "bareback saddle" which resembles a saddle pad with a girth attatched.

* Girth: the girth is the strap attatched to the saddle on the bottom, that runs across the horse's stomach to keep the saddle on. If it is too lose the saddle will slide all over, so it is important to check the girth before and after mounting!

Gaits

1. Walk: in the walk the horse's feet sometimes, but not necessarily, move in diagonal pairs and two feet are always on the ground. It has no real beat

2. Trot: the trot is slightly faster than the walk, the feet move in diagonal pairs. When posting you should post in time with the outside lead, meaning you go up when the horse's front outside leg goes forward. There are two beats.

3. Canter: the canter is faster than a trot but slower than a gallop. All the horse's feet will be off the ground at some point. There are three beats and the leads, a lead is when one leg extends farther then normal, this should be the outside leg, but sometimes a horse will get onto the wrong lead and you must go back down to the trot and try to correct it.

4. Gallop: the fastest gait, it is the one you see when you watch horse races. All four feet are off the ground at some point and it has a different pattern than the canter.

Extra Gear

1. Breeches: breeches are riding pants, skin tight to prevent the rider from getting caught anywhere.

2. Helmet: incredibly important because a fall from a horse is a fall from six or seven feet in the air, the helmet cannot protect the rider's neck, and thus not prevent spinal injury, but it does protect the rider's head

3. Boots: riding boots are an important part of riding gear, they come in all types from the mid-calf paddock boots, to full, knee-high boots. When riding, footwear should always have some sort of heel, this is to prevent the rider's foot from sliping through the stirrup and becoming caught and a dragging hazard

(ain't it just lovely how all features emphasize dragging? Well it's important, i once saw a girl get thrown, but her foot caught in the stirrup. she screamed, spooking the horse, which then took off, saddles are designed so that when pulled backwards, the stirrup straps slide off. If not for this feature that horse would have dragged her all around the ring)

3. Riding Jacket: not a necessity unless you are competing in shows, then you will usually need tan breeches and a dark blue or black riding jacket.

4. Gloves: a cold weather friend, you will be thankful you have them when winter sets in if you're somewhere it gets cold. There's nothing worse than getting rope-burn on your chapped, numb hands in the dead of winter when the horse just keeps trying to go back to its stall. BUT its Important to remember not to wear anything too thick, you need to be able to feel the reins and grip them properly or else its better (and safer) to ride without gloves. (I wear my tacky fingerless ones ^_^)

5. Socks: another winter must- get: good warm socks, heck, wear two pairs, it gets cold and your feet get numb, more socks mean warmer toes, and a comfier you!

6. Crop: yeah, yeah, i know, no one really wants to hit them, but sometimes you either smack that horse, or it bucks you off and trots away to snack on grass. A crop is not always needed. Some horses are very well behaved, some will respond to the slightest touch, others, they'll ignore you till you make them listen up.