I'm answering this question because there are two safety tips that you have to keep in mind before getting on a horse.

It is extremely important to HOLD THE REINS IN YOUR LEFT HAND before anything else. Some horses get scared easily and, if you approach them in the wrong way, they might knock you down and you can get seriously hurt or even killed.

Another safety tip from http://ezinearticles.com/?Horseback-Riding-Tips---Basic-Horse-Training-For-Beginners&id=1178645:

It's always important to approach a horse from the side, by the neck, in a way where the horse can see you. A horse, by nature, cannot see directly in front or directly behind its body. In order for the horse to see what is going on behind its body, it needs to turn its head. That is impossible to do when the horse is tied up for grooming or saddling. If the horse can't see, but hears something or someone behind it, its natural instinct is self-defense. So it kicks with its rear legs. You can let the horse know where you are, by touching and talking to it. This way the horse is comfortable knowing where you are and has no need to defend itself.

This is also very important as being kicked by a horse can lead to serious injuries or even death.

Here is a step by step how to from http://www.frontrangefrenzy.com/ridinghorses/ridingbasics.html:

* If you are an inexperienced rider, have someone hold the horse steady while you get on.
* Begin by standing on the left side of the horse.
* Hold the reins in your left hand (drape any slack over the horse's right side) while also grabbing hold of the horse' mane with your left hand as well.
* Use your right hand to turn the stirrup out and place your left foot into the stirrup, parallel to the horse's side. If you are too short to reach the stirrup, stand on a box or other object that will enable you to reach.
* Now grab the back of the saddle with your right hand.
* Bounce off the ground with your right foot putting weight onto your left foot in the stirrup, while simultaneously pulling yourself up using the back of the saddle and the horse's neck.
* Once you are balanced on your left foot in the stirrup, swing your right leg over the horse as you release your right hand from the back of the saddle and gently lower yourself into the saddle.
* Place your right foot into the other stirrup.
* Make sure your weight is distributed over the center of the horse.
* You will dismount from your horse by reversing the steps you took to get on. Hold the horses neck and remove your foot from the right stirrup. Stand up and swing yourself up and off of the saddle and finally to the ground.
Source(s):
http://www.frontrangefrenzy.com/ridinghorses/ridingbasics.html
http://ezinearticles.com/?Horseback-Riding-Tips---Basic-Horse-Training-For-...
Experience and relatives who ride horses.


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