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Horseback riding tips are important for the beginner as well as the more experienced. First of all, for those who are going to take up the sport seriously, it is important that you purchase the right gear.

A good pair of boots with a high heel that will stop your foot slipping through the stirrups is a necessity - falling from a horse and getting your foot caught in the stirrup could mean weeks in hospital or worse.

The next thing you need is a helmet. According to statistics, head injuries are common with horseback riding accidents. Make sure the helmet fits your head well and is an approved type. So now that you have the boots and the helmet - you're ready.

First, however, the instructor will probably give you his or her own horseback riding tips. He or she will, no doubt, explain that you are the master of the beast and not to let the beast control you, in short - don't be scared. That being said, my first time in the saddle was an experience I'll never forget - the horse scared the hell out of me.

Horse riding tips should include the fact that after your equine adventure, you're going to have sore muscles. The soreness is usually your leg and butt muscles. To avoid too much pain, try doing a little exercise a few weeks before saddling up. Jogging a few times a week will strengthen your leg muscles. As for your butt, hmmm, I guess you're just going to have to let the saddle toughen that up.

Other horse riding tips, suggest that you should be familiar with the two types of saddles used these days - as often the saddle depicts the type of riding.

The English saddle is often used for shorter outings or sports like polo, fox-hunting and equestrian. This saddle is "shallow" and requires the rider to have excellent balance as he or she moves up and down with the horse's movements.

The Western saddle, however is "deeper"; the rider's butt is encased in leather. Western saddles are perfect for trail riding or ranch work and do not require the same amount of balance as an English saddle.

There is much more to know before you climb on the back of the beast and getting horseback riding tips from experts will guarantee you a day of horseback riding enjoyment.

Sara D. likes to write about her interests. Horses are one of the loves of her life! Her Squidoo lens offers lots of interesting horse facts for the beginner horseback rider. No jargon there! Very easy to understand! Find out lots of free horseback information here