For the equestrian rider, horseback riding or equestrianism, is outlined as the practice of riding on horseback. This refers to the skill of riding or driving horses/ponies (the equine). Horses are ridden for practical working purposes as well as for therapeutic purposes. They are also used in competitive sports and recreational activities.
Horses are often domesticated and are used as working animals. They are used by the police, farmers to pull carts, a form of travel and even entertainment purposes such as sport or on a circus. Many techniques are used for training a pony, dependent on what the pony will be used for.
Horses are also used in many specific ways. They are now fully integrated in competitive sports like show jumping, equestrian driving, endurance riding, rodeo amongst others. They are also part of more recreational activities like fox hunting or hacking and have been so for many hundreds of years.
There are many varieties of horseback riding, but the two most popular in the world today are English riding and Western riding. Already well established in America, Western Riding is fast taking the World by storm. One of its most crowd pleasing disciplines, the fast and exciting reining, is now approved by the FEI and included in the World Equestrian Games. It is also hoped that reining will be included in the 2012 Olympics. English riding is an equestrian discipline with many different styles and the horse wear such as tack and saddle equestrian are distinctly different, definitely a lot stricter with regards to what is expected. However, at the most basic level, most versions require an equestrian rider to use both hands on the reins, rather than just one hand, as is seen in western riding.
Horseback riding was often used for farm work, transport and unfortunately even warfare. Now however, it is being used by licensed medical pros to treat different incapacities, may it be physical, emotional, social or cognitive.
People who have emotional, social or mental incapacity learn how to build a relationship by interacting with horses. The trust and faithfulness that these horses demonstrate, are a catalyst in the individuals recovery, allowing them to grow this trust to become a more developed part of their characteristic.
It is important for the would be equestrian rider to develop a bond and an understanding with the horse first, as the removal of any fear beforehand is essential in the prevention of any possible future problems such as kick outs.
Have a look at our horse wear from the UK including horse riding hats.
