Where do you want to ride?
When you see horses on TV or in the movies do you dream of riding like they ride? Maybe you want to go on a cattle drive and round up herds of cattle. Maybe you see yourself riding like the wind for the Pony Express. Perhaps you see yourself on a race track, or in the horse show arena with hundreds of people watching as you clear the jumps or perform perfect equitation.
Maybe you want the freedom to explore your own neighborhood and see the sights you can't see from the roads:
I used to see movies with someone riding a horse along the beach, and I wanted to do that. So, a few years ago on a trip to Mexico I set out to find a horse stable where I could rent a horse. I found one, but when I told the owner I wanted ride a horse along the beach, he told me that was not allowed.
Maybe it was just because of the time of year when I was there, but I found out that riding a horse along the beach would destroy the turtle eggs buried in the sand, so it was prohibited.
I did ride a horse in Alaska, but unless you really want to see the scenery out away from the main roads, I wouldn't recommend it. The horses were underfed and tired and I felt sorry for them. Also, riding in a group that included grown people who had never been on a horse before in their lives meant that we walked along at a very slow pace. I like to walk, but I also like a good trot or gallop now and then.
You don't have much chance of ever riding for the Pony Express,since it no longer exists. But you can ride in a cattle drive of sorts when you're old enough. Many working ranches offer vacations where people can come and ride along with the "real" cowboys. So, if that's your dream, keep working toward it.
To ride in the show ring means lots of practice, and maybe even lessons with an expert. You have to learn exactly how to sit, how to hold your arms, hands, legs, and feet, and how to tell your horse what to do without anyone seeing how you did it. When you and your horse are in harmony, the slightest movement of your leg or your fingers will tell him exactly what to do. Even shifting your weight slightly will give him a signal to obey. If you want to learn about riding in a show ring, join a 4-H Club or other horse youth group. They have their own horse shows where beginners compette against each other and learn from each other and their leaders.
As for becoming a horse race jockey - you have to be tiny! Once upon a time only men could be jockeys, but now many women have joined the sport, so no one is excluded as long as they grow up to be tiny. Click here to see an interesting page about jockeys.
Maybe you don't even want to ride on top of the horse. Some people like driving them around with a cart. Here's a picture of a "mini horse" pulling a cart. (Yes, this is a full grown horse!)
The most important thing to remember about riding is this: Have fun with your horse, and always be kind.
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