Now that you are settled into the saddle and holding the reins properly, its time to ride!
The first thing you will learn is how to ask your horse to go forward. To do this, you will give a little “kissing” sound or “cluck”, then squeeze with your lower legs against the horse’s sides. The horse may be a bit stubborn or resistant at first, this is normal. If they don’t begin walking right away you may have to give a harder, clearer tap with your heels. Don’t worry about hurting the horse. Horses are probably more that 10-20 times your size. They have been trained to respond to someone tapping their sides with their heels.
Once the horse begins to walk, stop tapping them with your heels. If they stop just give squeeze or tap again until they start walking again. With a little practice, this will all become second nature.
