Introduction

So you want to learn how to ride western? Once you slip into the comfortable seat of a western saddle, there are many activities to choose from. If you’re competitive, you can try your hand at gymkhana games, reining, barrel racing, roping, or team penning. If you’re laidback, you could spend hours exploring the countryside on horseback. If you’re sociable, you could enjoy long trail rides and picnics with other horse lovers. Western riding offers something for everyone.

You don’t need to be born on a ranch or live in the heart of Texas to become a good western rider, but you do need to be dedicated to improving your horsemanship. Good horsemanship is based on constant communication between horse and rider and the desire to continually improve your riding skills.

When you first learn to ride, you’ll be taught how to sit in the saddle, how to hold the reins, and how to make a horse go forward. As you become more secure in the saddle, you’ll worry less about falling off and begin to concentrate more on the horse’s performance. You’ll learn how to give the cues that guide the horse, and as you improve, you’ll find that most horses actually listen to you. It takes time and practice in the saddle before you become an effective rider.

If you’re just starting out, it’s important to sign up with a good riding instructor who will teach you the basics. No matter how experienced you become, you’ll never stop learning. Every time you jog down a country road or land on the ground after a fall, you add to your library of equestrian knowledge.

Use this book in addition to your hands-on experiences. Read it before you head for your lessons and refer back to it as you need to. It won’t be long before you are riding with confidence. Let’s face it: It’s easy to get hooked on western riding!