Your first riding lesson: clothing, safety and meeting the horse

A first riding lesson often brings excitement and a bit of nerves. Good preparation removes most of the fear, because you know what to expect and how to behave.

Clothing: long, comfortable trousers that don't rub on the inside of your legs, closed shoes with a small heel (not thick-soled trainers) and layers for the weather. Leave jewellery and scarves at home. A helmet is mandatory.

Safety around horses: approach from the side, never directly from behind. Speak calmly, move slowly and always know where your feet are relative to the hooves. Never wrap reins or a lead rope around your hand.

Meeting the horse: let it sniff you, stroke its neck and watch its ears and eyes. A relaxed horse lowers its head and breathes calmly. Grooming before riding is the best way to get to know each other.

Only then do you mount. In the first lesson it is enough to sit relaxed, follow the rhythm of the walk and stop the horse. Everything else comes with time — step by step at the trail riding preparation programme at Black Horse Ranch.