Let’s be honest—there’s nothing quite like the rush you get from riding a horse. That connection with a thousand-pound animal who’s trusting you to guide them is incredible. But here’s the thing: if you want to stay safe and actually enjoy yourself out there, you’ve got to nail down some basic techniques first.
I’ve seen too many riders skip the fundamentals and jump straight into advanced stuff. Don’t be that person. These five techniques will make or break your riding experience, whether you’re just starting out or you’ve been riding for years but never really focused on the basics.
1. Reading Your Horse Like a Book
Your horse is constantly talking to you—you just need to learn their language. Once you figure this out, everything changes.
Watch those ears. Pinned back? Your horse is telling you they’re annoyed or uncomfortable. Forward and alert? They’re focused and ready to work. Relaxed and floppy? You’ve got a content horse on your hands.
The tail’s another dead giveaway. A horse swishing their tail rapidly isn’t just shooing flies—they’re frustrated. But a gentle, relaxed sway? That’s your green light.
I learned this the hard way when I ignored my mare’s pinned ears one day. She was clearly telling me she wasn’t feeling it, but I pushed anyway. Let’s just say I ended up eating dirt. Now I always check in with my horse’s body language before we get going.
2. Finding Your Seat (And Actually Staying There)
Here’s where a lot of riders struggle, and I get it. Balance on a moving animal isn’t exactly natural for us humans.
Think of it this way: imagine a straight line running from your ear, through your shoulder, hip, and down to your heel. That’s your target. But don’t get so focused on being “perfect” that you turn into a rigid board.
Your seat should feel deep and secure, but relaxed. I like to tell new riders to imagine they’re sitting in their favourite armchair—comfortable but alert. When you’re balanced, you’ll feel it. The horse moves more freely, and you won’t be gripping with your hands or legs for dear life.
Start slow. Walk first, get comfortable, then gradually work up to faster gaits. There’s no shame in spending weeks just perfecting your walk. Actually, there’s wisdom in it.
3. Gentle Hands Make Happy Horses
Your reins aren’t steering wheels—they’re more like having a conversation through your fingertips.
Think “elastic” contact. You want a soft, consistent connection that gives and takes as needed. Pulling hard on the reins is like someone grabbing your arm and yanking you around. Not fun, right? The same goes for your horse.
When you want your horse to slow down, don’t haul back on the reins. Instead, close your fingers gently and use your seat to ask for the transition. Want them to move forward? Soften that contact and let them go.
This nuanced form of communication is similar to playing online poker, where the slightest change in demeanour can drastically alter the outcome. Just like in poker, finesse beats force every time.
4. Your Legs Are Your Best Friends
Forget what you see in movies—your legs do way more than just hang there looking pretty.
Different pressure, different message. A gentle squeeze with both calves says “move forward.” Pressure with your inside leg while turning helps bend your horse around your leg. It’s like having a whole vocabulary that doesn’t require words.
Practice leg aids while standing on the ground first. Get used to the different pressures and positions. Then, when you’re on your horse, those movements will feel more natural.
Don’t grip constantly with your legs, though. That’s like someone poking you repeatedly—eventually, your horse will just tune it out.
5. Patience Isn’t Just a Virtue—It’s Essential
This might be the hardest one for a lot of riders. We want results, and we want them now.
But horses don’t work that way. They need time to understand what you’re asking. They need consistency to build trust. And they definitely need you to stay calm when things don’t go according to plan.
I’ve had days where nothing seemed to click. My horse was distracted, I was frustrated, and we were both just going through the motions. On those days, I’ve learned to take a step back. Sometimes the best thing you can do is end on a good note, even if it’s just a nice halt and a pat on the neck.
A rider’s consistent approach builds real trust between horse and rider. Lose your cool, and you’ll lose that trust pretty quickly.
The Bottom Line
Riding isn’t something you master overnight. These five techniques are your foundation. Everything else builds on top of these basics.
Don’t rush it. Don’t skip steps. And definitely don’t think you’re above working on fundamentals just because you’ve been riding for a while. Even Olympic riders still practice these basics every single day.
You’ll have way more fun out there when you’re not fighting with your horse or struggling to stay balanced. Trust the process, put in the work, and enjoy the journey.
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