Saturday, August 4, 2007

Riding A Horse Serves Many Purposes

Horses have been used, ridden, treasured and coddled for hundreds of years. There were horses around when the ancient Greeks and Trojans went to war. The most important warriors often were depicted riding a horse into battle while the less important people used their own feet to do their duty. Horses were around when the Pilgrims landed in North America, and they are still useful animals today. Some people are viewed riding a horse just for pleasure. Some of these people are riding a horse that they own while others spend time on horses that they have rented or borrowed from somebody else.

Those riding a horse for pleasure are often seen in the most spectacular settings such as a gorgeous beach or a sandy desert. These people riding a horse for pleasure are often viewed in wooden forests or wonderful parks. Riding a horse often helps people escape from the every day realities of life. While riding a horse through a magnificent setting, riders often feel relieved from the pressures of every day life. Some people who do not own a horse go to stables or ranches that rent their horses to other people. These stables and ranches are usually situated in beautiful places to provide a truly spectacular experience for their clients.

Riding A Horse Could Be A Pastime Or A Profession

Many people just enjoy riding a horse while others make their living riding horses. Jockeys spend a life time on horses racing against other jockeys on horses. Some of these jockeys make millions of dollars and become famous for their skills. Although these people are very tiny, they are very powerful on the back of a thoroughbred horse. At one time, cowboys spent long days and nights on a horse while taking care of huge ranches. Some cowboys still ride horses on the range, but others do all of their chores on the ranch in a pickup truck.

Rodeos have cowboys who ride bucking broncos for prize money. The work is dangerous, but it can pay great prize money for those who can stay on these horses for the longest time. Some police departments employ officers who can ride horses to control crowds and monitor the streets. These police officers must be highly skilled for it is not easy to control a horse in a noisy crowd. These officers must know the law and a lot about horses. For business or pleasure, riding a horse is a skill that takes time and patience.

You Better Know The Rules For Riding A Horse On The Road

In a match between a horse and a car, the horse will always loose. Cars, trucks, drivers and roads suck, but they are an inescapable part of modern living if you want to ride horses. You AND your horse needs to know the rules for riding a horse on the road. If you or your horse cannot handle roads and traffic, you cannot risk riding on a road.

Rules You Need To Follow

Always keep in mind that drivers are the enemy. It doesn’t matter that it’s illegal to hit a horse with a car intentionally. They will still do it, because there are drivers out there who think it’s funny to kill animals with cars. This might sound paranoid, but this kind of paranoia will save your horse’s life. This is THE most important of the rules for riding a horse on the road.

Always dress in bright reflective colors. This is one of the most important rules for riding a horse on the road. There are many cheap and cheerful fluorescent colored vests you can buy. If you have to, stick an orange “slow traffic” triangle on your back. Consider that most horses are a shade of brown. This color blends in with the surroundings. Drowsy drivers will not see a brown horse, but will see the bright vest.

Reflective stickers and additions are also available for your horse. You can put them on the saddle blanket, the brow band, or as wraps around the legs. If you have to do any riding at dawn, dusk or evening, these are a good investment.

Always ride your horse facing traffic, if you can help it. This is another of the most important rules for riding a horse on the road. The horse will be less likely to panic if they can see what’s coming.

Rules Your Horse Needs To Follow

Your horse must be road wise. There are no ifs, ands or buts about it. It’s hard enough to sit a bucking horse without having to weave around traffic as well. For the first time you ride your horse anywhere near a road, dismount and LEAD the horse until you are assured that he or she is road wise.

The other rules for riding a horse on the road are to keep alert. Also, keep as calm as you can. Horses can pick up your nerves. Don’t ride alone on a road if you can help it, in case of emergency, you have help. Ride with a cell phone for emergencies. And praise your horse when he or she is behaving well.