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Karen Gossard
Fayetteville, NC

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Some of the most frustrating conversations I've dealt with were shared with people who had a bad experienced with their first ride. They end up saying something like "I love horses, but after what happened to me, I know they don't like me. You won't ever get me on a horse again. From now on I'll just admire them from afar."

Often when our new friends find out that we own a horse the first response is a plea to go riding. If we don't take the necessary precautions for that first ride, our friends could suffer from a bad experience as well. The first thing we need to do is to honestly evaluate the situation. What does your friend know about horses, and what does your horse know about an inexperienced rider?

Should someone who has never ridden before, and has no idea how to control such a large animal, be allowed to climb aboard with the hope they'll figure it out as they go? No, of course not. But it happens more than you think. Either you or your friend can overestimate their skill as a potential rider and create an unsafe situation. Horses have distinct individual personalities, just like people, and though there can be personality clashes between horse and rider, I believe most horse behavioral problems are caused from a lack of communication. The horse doesn't understand what the rider wants. Soon the horse is frustrated with the mixed signals and the rider loses control -- a recipe for disaster.

Even a brief explanation for the green rider can go a long ways toward a successful first ride. Instead of asking your friend the general question, "Can you ride?" ask instead more specific questions like how do they steer and stop a horse or what would they do if the horse refuses to move or turn or even stop. Listen closely to their answers and you should be able to tell their level of experience.

If they seem uncomfortable with this process then you can simple explain to them that you care about them enough to look out for their safety. Compare riding a horse to driving a car. You can state that very specific actions are needed for a reaction. If you stomp on the brakes of the car too hard you can go through the windshield. It's the same for the horse. If you yank too hard on the reins to stop, you'll can go over his head and land on the ground. If you turn the car's wheel too sharp, you may go in the ditch. If you crank the horses head around too fast, you may end up on the ground. Use common sense comparisons to get your point across. Your friend will soon understand that riding a horse is much more complicated than it appears to be.

When your friend first approaches you about riding your horse, you need to honestly evaluate your horses performance. If your horse is not for a beginner, then say so. Don't let your pride get in the way of someone else's safety. Perhaps you can suggest riding lessons at a stable for your friend instead. Offer to go with them a class or two to get them started. Most local stables give instructional classes for all levels of riding. Who knows, you might even find a class to join as well.

Allowing the novice to ride only in an enclosed area like a round pen or arena is a good idea. Post a state qualified sign on the barn wall for all to see stating that you are not responsible for accidents while riding. Insist on protective gear for beginners and keep a cell phone handy in case of an emergency. Taking these precautions right from the start may not guarantee a perfect first ride, but you'll know you did all the right things to get there.

A first ride should be a safe and pleasurable experience for all involved. It can only help the horse industry to grow. The less people walking around with terrible first ride stories, the better.