7 Things People Don't Tell You About Being an Equestrian Rider
1. Horses are Expensive
If you love horses you know that riding is one of the most expensive sports out there. Even if you don't have your own tack the apparel itself will put a dent in your wallet. Riding shoes start somewhere around $100 and go upwards from there. Good pants will start at $50. Then you have to buy a helmet, gloves. Some people buy half chaps and other accessories.
Eventually you will want to have a saddle that fits you complete with pads, girth, etc this will cost you upwards of $1000.
The cost of Riding lessons varies by state. In New Jersey I've seen it cost $45 per 30 min but I also have seen it cost $75. It all depends on where you ride, the experience of the instructor, and the quality of the lesson horses.
If you own a horse you know that buying the horse is not the problem. You can buy a good horse for $2000-7000. It is a one time expense that seems large but is minuscule compared with the $400-1000 a month you will be paying for boarding. On top of that your horse may need monthly shoes, de-worming, supplements and vet visits that are not included in the board. This is why many equestrians do not own a horse and instead they settle for lessons or a much cheaper lease.
2. Learning how to ride properly will take years.
I first started riding 13 years ago and I am still learning new things today. It took me probably a good 2 years to be able to ride properly with instruction. If you are learning dressage or jumping you will have to add another 2-3 years to master that. It takes a long time to gain strength in the leg and core muscles you need to properly ride as well as remembering every little techniques. Every horse is different and so is every instructor. Overtime the techniques you know may become outdated. Bottom line is no one just gets on a horse and goes.
3. Riding Hurts.
When you ride a horse you use a combination of your core, back, inner thigh, and calf muscles that you probably never had to use before. You will be sore and you will hurt. People often underestimate how they will feel after their first lesson or a the first lesson after a break from riding. It is not like going to the gym; it feels more like someone hit your legs and bum repeatedly with a baseball butt. Horses our also bumpy and your bottom will feel the pain, believe it.
4. You will Fall.
I don't know any equestrian that has said they have never fallen off a horse. Horse back riding is a dangerous sport and the falling is a very real threat. You will fall the most when you first start learning but you may fall later in your career too. I have my injuries associated with riding and some took a long time to heal. If you are not prepared to face the reality of this sport I suggest you find another one. Horses are animals that think and feel and sometimes they get scared. They can sense a frightened rider and they will take advantage of your fear. If you ride, ride with confidence.
5. You will get dirty.
Ever watch equestrian shows on TV and admire the clean look of the riding suit, the top hat, the perfect tack? These riders have hired people to make them look like that and so they don't get anywhere near the mess. In reality horse back riding is not neat, clean sport. You have to brush your horse that has been sitting in a dusty barn or rolling in a muddy field. You have to clean their mud covered feet. The tack is likely stored in the barn and it will have a nice layer of dirt and dust. These are outside animals that don't know the wonders of plumbing. On top of that they poop and they can be stinky. Expect to wash your clothes and shower after every ride and forget about those beautiful fingernails you were planning on getting.
6. Your friends will not understand your passion
You did it. You started your equestrian training and want to tell everyone about your experiences, Your friends and parents look at you and nod but they have absolutely no idea what you are talking about. Horseback riding is a great sport but it's not like Tennis or Soccer; you cant just gather a group and hit the ball around (Insert angry tennis and soccer players here). Lets face it no one can just gather their non-equestrian friends and put them on horseback like they can go play tennis (however poorly). Your friends will not understand any of your horse lingo and they won't be interested to learn. You will find yourself having two groups you hang out with. Your weeknight friends and your barn buddies.
7. Horse Ridding is Time consuming.
When you get to the barn you will take 30-45 min catching, cleaning, and tacking up your horse. When you get to your riding arena you will spend another 25-20 min getting on and adjusting your tack. After you ride you will spend another 30 min un-tacking, brushing and turning out your horse. On hot days you may have to hose your horse off and graze it outside for another 30 min. If you are riding that day plan on being at the barn a minimum of 2 hours unless your barn has a stable helper.
That's it! Hope it was insightful and happy riding!!!
If you love horses you know that riding is one of the most expensive sports out there. Even if you don't have your own tack the apparel itself will put a dent in your wallet. Riding shoes start somewhere around $100 and go upwards from there. Good pants will start at $50. Then you have to buy a helmet, gloves. Some people buy half chaps and other accessories.
Eventually you will want to have a saddle that fits you complete with pads, girth, etc this will cost you upwards of $1000.
The cost of Riding lessons varies by state. In New Jersey I've seen it cost $45 per 30 min but I also have seen it cost $75. It all depends on where you ride, the experience of the instructor, and the quality of the lesson horses.
If you own a horse you know that buying the horse is not the problem. You can buy a good horse for $2000-7000. It is a one time expense that seems large but is minuscule compared with the $400-1000 a month you will be paying for boarding. On top of that your horse may need monthly shoes, de-worming, supplements and vet visits that are not included in the board. This is why many equestrians do not own a horse and instead they settle for lessons or a much cheaper lease.
2. Learning how to ride properly will take years.
I first started riding 13 years ago and I am still learning new things today. It took me probably a good 2 years to be able to ride properly with instruction. If you are learning dressage or jumping you will have to add another 2-3 years to master that. It takes a long time to gain strength in the leg and core muscles you need to properly ride as well as remembering every little techniques. Every horse is different and so is every instructor. Overtime the techniques you know may become outdated. Bottom line is no one just gets on a horse and goes.
3. Riding Hurts.
When you ride a horse you use a combination of your core, back, inner thigh, and calf muscles that you probably never had to use before. You will be sore and you will hurt. People often underestimate how they will feel after their first lesson or a the first lesson after a break from riding. It is not like going to the gym; it feels more like someone hit your legs and bum repeatedly with a baseball butt. Horses our also bumpy and your bottom will feel the pain, believe it.
4. You will Fall.
I don't know any equestrian that has said they have never fallen off a horse. Horse back riding is a dangerous sport and the falling is a very real threat. You will fall the most when you first start learning but you may fall later in your career too. I have my injuries associated with riding and some took a long time to heal. If you are not prepared to face the reality of this sport I suggest you find another one. Horses are animals that think and feel and sometimes they get scared. They can sense a frightened rider and they will take advantage of your fear. If you ride, ride with confidence.
5. You will get dirty.
Ever watch equestrian shows on TV and admire the clean look of the riding suit, the top hat, the perfect tack? These riders have hired people to make them look like that and so they don't get anywhere near the mess. In reality horse back riding is not neat, clean sport. You have to brush your horse that has been sitting in a dusty barn or rolling in a muddy field. You have to clean their mud covered feet. The tack is likely stored in the barn and it will have a nice layer of dirt and dust. These are outside animals that don't know the wonders of plumbing. On top of that they poop and they can be stinky. Expect to wash your clothes and shower after every ride and forget about those beautiful fingernails you were planning on getting.
6. Your friends will not understand your passion
You did it. You started your equestrian training and want to tell everyone about your experiences, Your friends and parents look at you and nod but they have absolutely no idea what you are talking about. Horseback riding is a great sport but it's not like Tennis or Soccer; you cant just gather a group and hit the ball around (Insert angry tennis and soccer players here). Lets face it no one can just gather their non-equestrian friends and put them on horseback like they can go play tennis (however poorly). Your friends will not understand any of your horse lingo and they won't be interested to learn. You will find yourself having two groups you hang out with. Your weeknight friends and your barn buddies.
7. Horse Ridding is Time consuming.
When you get to the barn you will take 30-45 min catching, cleaning, and tacking up your horse. When you get to your riding arena you will spend another 25-20 min getting on and adjusting your tack. After you ride you will spend another 30 min un-tacking, brushing and turning out your horse. On hot days you may have to hose your horse off and graze it outside for another 30 min. If you are riding that day plan on being at the barn a minimum of 2 hours unless your barn has a stable helper.
That's it! Hope it was insightful and happy riding!!!
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