Horseback Riding for Beginners

[Rhonda922]

DH and I are going on vacation in a couple weeks and contemplating doing a 2-hour horseback riding trip. Neither one of us has ever been horseback riding before. I can count, on one hand, the times that I've even been around horses. Do you think 2 hours is too long for beginners? Also, is there any pain/discomfort in the legs when beginning to ride? I just don't want to regret having done this. It's something that we always talk about but have never done.

 

[laurajetter]

Interesting question! DH and I are doing the same thing in October as part of a tour in Jamaica. It didn't even dawn on me to make sure it was something we would be able to easily hand without becoming sore the rest of the trip. Maybe Jennasis will come on here with some advice for us!

 

[babynurse1]

We have horses and love to ride.

Two hours on a horse might make your tailbone and inner thighs a little sore the next day, if you're not used to riding.

We took some friends of ours on a 1 hr. ride this summer down in the Smokey Mountains, and they weren't sore at all.

I think it would be a great way to spend part of your vacation. Have a great trip!

 

[tiggger1]

If its just a walking ride, then you should be ok, maybe a bit sore in the inner thighs and your butt. If there is any trotting at all, you will be sore because you are using muscles that you usually dont use much....I have horses and take weekly lessons. If I miss a week, then the next time I ride I am really sore in my legs and thighs..

 

[horseshowmom]

If its just a walking ride, then you should be ok, maybe a bit sore in the inner thighs and your butt. If there is any trotting at all, you will be sore because you are using muscles that you usually dont use much....I have horses and take weekly lessons. If I miss a week, then the next time I ride I am really sore in my legs and thighs..

I would tend to agree with this.

 

[sweet angel]

The first and only time I was ever on a horse was at the beach for a "horse ride" with my son when he was a toddler. It was one of those old horses that just walks around a pre-set path.

Let me tell you...I was TERRIFIED!!!! I never realized how high off the ground horses are. Yes...I'm a sissy. I was so afraid that the horse was going to break thru the fencing and take off with us into the ocean.

 

[Banshee]

You should be fine. You'll be sore because you are using muscles you don't normally use, but not to the point that you would be sore for your whole vacation. On another note I don't know where you are going but, pleeeeease make sure where you are riding is a decent place and that the horses are of good weight and cared for. There are so many places especially out of the country that these animals live in terrible conditions and are half starved.

 

[Mrs.Toad]

I ride a horse maybe once a year on average, so to my butt and legs, each time is pretty much the first time.

For me, it's not so much muscle soreness from using different muscles, it's from sitting on the horse for so long. Horses are much wider than bikes, and even if you stand up some, a beginner's legs are pretty much in the same position most of the ride.

After an hour ride, my legs are stiff and it's much harder to swing my leg back over to get off the horse, than it was to swing my leg over to get on. A little stretching afterwards helps it go away faster. I've never ridden more than an hour without at least one break, where I got the chance to get off the horse for a few minutes and stretch my legs, so for me, that might be a factor in the decision, whether they have a break or not.

Horseback riding is fun, though! Have a good time!

 

[ZephyrHawk]

Most of the type of places that offer riding tours such as the one you're describing are structured for beginners. You'll be doing mostly walking, with perhaps a bit of trotting. The horses are trained to follow one another nose to tail, and so not much will be required of you other than to hold on. However, this does not mean that you will not be afraid. Some people who have minimal exposure to horses find themselves terribly intimidated when finally put into a situation where they are in close contact with these large (and potentially dangerous) beasts. It can be even more intimidating when you realize that you are going to be at the animal's mercy when you're on it's back. A horse is not like a car that will only stop and start when you tell it to, and some people find this troubling (I personally, found learning to drive unsettling because I could not sense what the car was about to do). Finally, it doesn't help that the more frightened you are, the more the horse will sense it through your body and get nervous wondering what on earth its supposed to be afraid of. All this being said, the horses you will ride will be used to people who are a bit wary of them and, more than likely, will almost entirely ignore your nervousness. Remain calm. Listen to the riding instructor/ride leader. Most likely, everything will be fine.

And yes, you will be sore subsequently for a day or so.

 

[stevenpensacola]

My wife and I got away for a few days last October...part of our package included a 1 hour horseback ride. Both of us had never ridden a horse before.

After a few minutes getting acclimated to their movement, we had a great time. As others have said, our horses just walked, and stayed alongside or behind our guide. Horses were well trained in that we just had to lay the rein on their neck to "steer" them.

We were a little sore for a few hours, but not enough that it interfered with any other activities on our trip.

Just relax and have a great time.

 

[kfeuer]

My DH and I stayed at a ranch in Montana last month and rode horses for the first time. I can honestly say it was the highlight of the trip, we both absolutely loved it. We were a little sore afterwards, but it was nothing a little Advil couldn't fix. Go for it!

 

[Squirlz]

Make sure you have extra clothes for later as your pants will smell a little "horsey"!

 

[Jennasis]

Interesting question! DH and I are doing the same thing in October as part of a tour in Jamaica. It didn't even dawn on me to make sure it was something we would be able to easily hand without becoming sore the rest of the trip. Maybe Jennasis will come on here with some advice for us!

Did somebody say my name? haha! hi guys!

Yes, if you are a beginner you will likely be a bit sore after a 2 hour ride, even if it's just a "walking tour". If you'll be doing anything faster than a walk, then the soreness may linger a bit longer/be a little more pronounced. As the others pointed out, Advil should be fine. When I mean sore, I'm talking about your seat bones specifically along with your thighs. You may have some back discomfort too depending on the intensity of the ride, the comfort of the saddle (trail ride places don't usually have top of the line tack) and also how tense you are throughout. The more relaxed you two can stay the better you'll be.

Some tips:

Wear long pants. NO shorts and NO capris. You will end up with horrible chafing/road rash type sores on your inner knee and calf if you wear shorts etc.

Avoid sneakers/tennis shoes if possible. Try to wear something with a small heel (1-2 inches) with a hard sole. Sneakers tend to be too grippy and will not allow you to quickly pull your foot out of the stirrup in an emergency and without a heel it is possible for you foot to slip completely through the stirrup.

If the place offers helmets, USE THEM. I do not ride nor permit any of my students or clients to ride at any time without a helmet. Even if you are just walking you could hit your head on a branch, the horse could spook/bolt/rear/trip/fall etc. All of which would be devastating to you without a helmet. I've seen it happen. Wear a helmet!

Relax, and have fun. The others are right in that most of these trail ride places employ well trained and quiet horses who will for the most part, walk single file, nose-to-tail. Bring a camera and take photos, and a change of clothes for afterwards. Be sure to tell them when you sign up that you are a beginner. Be honest with them so they can match you with an appropriate mount. Have fun!

 

[Rhonda922]

Alright guys, thank you for all the great tips! I think I'm going to cross my fingers and give horseback riding a try. We always talk about doing it but then we say "nah" and chicken out. I think we'll take along the ol' bottle of Advil so we can take them right after the ride. I think it is just supposed to be a walking-type ride so we just have to hold on. I bet I'd fly off the horse if it started galloping...LOL!

 

[Mrs.Toad]

One more thing... Even though the horses on these trail rides are generally really mellow and just follow the horse ahead of them, every once in a while, you get one who has the teeniest bit of a mind of his own. He may want to head off the trail or eat the grass. Don't be afraid to pull pretty hard on the reins to steer him back to the trail or lift his head back up, or to give him a good kick with your heel to get him moving if he decides they to stop before he's supposed to. You are in charge of the horse, and they know it, but like a little kid, sometimes they want to see what they can get away with.

My dd's girl scout troop and moms all went on a trail ride together when they were 6 or 7. Wouldn't you know it, the tiniest, most nervous little girl got the one horse who decided to be difficult that day. Once she realized she had to pull a little harder on his reins, she could get him headed back in the right direction pretty well. If she could do it, so can you! You will have a great time.

 

[sorcerormickey]

One more thing... Even though the horses on these trail rides are generally really mellow and just follow the horse ahead of them, every once in a while, you get one who has the teeniest bit of a mind of his own. He may want to head off the trail or eat the grass.

BTDT!!! At WDW!!!

A few years back we took a trail riding tour from Fort Wilderness. About halfway thru the woods, my horse decided she needed a snack. We went down about an 8 foot embankment and she stood there chewing on a tree. SHE WOULD NOT MOVE!! Even the CM's with us could not get her to move. One CM finally grabbed a nice, juicy looking branch and led her back up the hill onto the trail. She carried that darn branch and munched on it the whole way back.

That was my one and only time on a horse and I was SORE afterwards.

 

[Ride Junkie]

I rode a horse for the first time a few years ago, and it was probably around a 2-hour ride. It was amazing, but I do remember that my booty hurt for about 3 days!! I was wishing I had a hemorrhoid donut to sit on when I got home. So, unless they have a nice padded saddle, expect some soreness when sitting for a couple of days.