To describe this section of our website we want to share what instructor Jorge Lisandro Montiel explains as part of any riders First Horseback Riding Class:

"We need to know that horseback riding in any of its disciplines means to interact with a living being, a harmless animal (if man hasnt make him agressive) that most of the times acts in response to how we have treated him, we need to be aware that that animal depends on us, that his welfare will always be related to the way we treat and care for him.

Before trying to mount a horse and try to control him, you should learn to Control Yourself, this means that when you feel frustrated because youre not managing to get what you want, you Won't dump your anger or fury in the poor animal.

Harmony between horse and rider is something that must be gained naturally, is the understanding between two living beings, and its not always achieved; thats why, if you don't get to "communicate" with a certain horse, don't be discouraged, try with another one, this is something very important before buying a horse.

Horseback riding is about understanding the horse, about trying to improve as a human being through a sport, a passion. You cant be a good rider Before becoming a good person.... something will always be missing".

Horseback riding is a equestrian sport consisiting in keeping the horse under precise control and requires a very carefull care and cleaning of the horse by its rider.

Theres a basic horseback riding stage, where the main thing is to learn how to ride, and an advance stage where the rider learns to jump, race, work with livestock, show or riding in a higher level.

Horses are used to perform  high competition sports, such as jumping, dressage, endurance, volting, polo, races or rodeos. Horses are also used for therapeutic purposes, because riding in a non competitive way improves our health and emotional development. In some parts of the world horses are still used for practical for example to plow.

Horseback riding is governed by the International Federation for Equestrian Sports (FEI) and it is  considered an olimpic sport since 1900 with the disciplines of jumping, dressage and eventing.

One of the basic skills to be able of controlling a horse is to know how to mount and dismount using one or more of the different types of saddles, and of course, also know the appropriate signals to control and direct horse movements.

Mounting: Riding a horse involves different, separate acts, executed in a continuos movement. The rider locates itself on the left side of the horse, beside the saddle while holding the reins with the left hand thats resting in the pommel. With the right hand moves the stirrup towards him/herself, inserts the left foot, puts the right hand on the cantle and jumps up putting all their weight in their left foot and in their hands. He/she moves the right hand off the cantle and swings their right leg on top of the saddle, sitting down gently.

Dismounting: To dismount the rider holds again the reins with the left hand. Takes the right foot out the stirrup, swings the right leg on top of the saddle, transfering its weight to the arms. Makes a small pause to release the left foot from the stirrup and he/she just lets their body slip to the floor. Boots or a strong shoe with a little heel helps avoiding getting hooked in the stirrups.

Hands while riding: The first thing to consider is the way of finding balance while sitting  in the horses centre of gravity that will change depending on which exercise he/she is doing. The rider must be calmed and relaxed, because any feeling of fear or stress will be inmediatly felt by the horse. Being able of keepig hands in a correct position its something vital in a good rider. Any rough or strong movement with the hands will ruin the horses mouth sensitivity. Light but firm hands on the reins are very important.

While mounting for pleasure the rider sits up tall, with shoulders back, the lower back tight, hands are low positioned infront of the saddle so the reins and te arms form a straight line from the bit to the riders elbow. Each rein in each hand, and to ask the horse to move to one or other side you just pull a little bit the rein on that side. The stirrup holds the foot, while the heel must be lower than the toe, pressing the horse side, knees will be bent in a 90° angle. A correct adjustment of the stirrup will show it hanging one inch below the riders ankle.

While mounting in western saddles, the rider sits leaning on the back of the saddle and stretches the legs slightly to the front and to the outer side of the horse. The stirrup is supporting the feet and heels are presing down while the lenth of this stirrup stripes are adjusted a little bit longer than english riding. Both reins are holded with one hand.

Riding aids: A skillfull rider controls the horse through several signs called riding aids. Natural aids are the ones transmitted to the horse through our legs, hands, voice and the change of the rider weight on the saddle. This aids are often complemented with whips and spurs, that are used to reinforce what we ask the horse, not to punish him.

To make a horse move forward the rider rub their legs againsth the sides of the horse; increasing the pressure and the voice commands is how you get to accelerate the pace.  To make the horse move slower, stop or even walk backwards, you should pull back the reinsat the same time you rub and pressure your legs against the side of the horse.

Pace: Most horses have three natural and different movements: walk, trott and gallop. Each of this movements require a good and specific posture on the saddle. At a walk the rider sits up tall, at the trott, if you are riding english style the rider leans slightly forward and moves up and down (rising trott) with the movement of the horse; if you ride western style, the rider leans slightly backwards and remains sitting. In both riding styles, the rider remains sitting on the saddle while galloping , but leans a little bit forward while cantering, position known as: two points.

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One of the most important aspects of riding is the apropriate care of the horse  and this involves the cleaning, the feeding, veterinary checks and the shoeing. The cleaning is done to keep the horse healthy and stimulate the skin; the first step is to rub the horse body with what is called a curry comb. This should be moved in small circles and you will be stimulating the blood circulation and smoothing their  hair. The horse body with its mane and tail will be brushed with a body brush. And last but not least the cleaning also includes the hoofs; before and after riding.

Horse back riding sessions last 45 minutes aprox. If you would like to know the price of the lessons, please feel free to call us or email us to our e-mail.