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6: Off into the Sunset: Western Riding 73 7: Not Just for the Brits: English Riding81 8: Dressing Up Horses with Saddles87 9: Getting a Heads-Up on Bridles101 10: Equipping Yourself with Other Important Gear 109

11: Working from the Ground, Saddling, and Bridling 121 12: Mounting and Dismounting137 13: Enjoying the Walk 151 14: Bumping Up Your Skills with the Jog or Trot177 15: Getting on the Fast Track with the Lope or Canter 199 16: Making the Leap into Jumping217

17: Graduating to the Next Level of Riding 235 18: Taking the Plunge by Buying a Horse 241 19: Exploring Horse Care 255

20: Step Up: Riding Gaited Horses275 21: Don t Fence Me In: Trail Riding 281 22: Show Off: Riding in Competition 295 23: Even More Riding Styles and Activities 309

About This Book1 Conventions Used in This Book 1 What You re Not to Read2 Foolish Assumptions 2 How This Book Is Organized3 Part I: Beginning with Horseback Riding Basics3 Part II: Getting Set with the Right Riding Style and Gear 3 Part III: Settling into the Saddle and Easing into Riding 3 Part IV: Riding into Advanced Pastures4 Part V: Having Fun with Other Styles and Activities4 Part VI: The Part of Tens 4 Icons Used in This Book5 Where to Go from Here5

Discovering the Horse s Mind and Body9 Taking Riding Lessons 10 Getting into Riding Shape11 Keeping Yourself Safe around Horses11 Selecting the Right Riding Style and Gear12 Riding High from the Start 13 Preparing on the ground 13 Mounting and dismounting 14 Getting a grip on gaits14 Jumping 15 Adjusting to Advanced Riding 15 Stepping up your current riding routine 15 Buying your own horse16 Looking after your horse 16 Enjoying Fun and Games on Horseback17

Understanding How Horses Think 19 Getting a grip on equine society20 Interpreting equine expressions20 Getting along with horses 22

Examining the Equine Body 23 The parts of a horse23 The height of a horse 24 The buildup: Horse conformation25 Stepping out: The gaits of a horse26 Colors and markings 28 Sifting through Breed Differences 31 Realizing that breed may matter 31 Picking through popular breeds32

Finding the Best Stable for Your Needs37 The initial search: Identifying stables in your area38 Your major: Finding a school that offers your discipline38 Campus visit: Evaluating stables with a sharp eye 39 Choosing an Instructor or Trainer 40 Deciding between a riding instructor and a horse trainer40 Understanding what to look for in an instructor or trainer41 When you strike out with stables: Seeking out a different teacher 42 Getting the Most from Your Lessons 43 Deciding between individual and group lessons43 Setting up your lesson schedule 44 Working with your instructor or trainer45

Understanding Why You Need to Condition Yourself 49 Getting into Riding Shape50 Lightening the load: Shedding those extra pounds 50 Developing endurance with aerobic exercise51 Building strength 52 Cross-training: Practicing yoga and Pilates for flexibility and strength 54 Stretching yourself: Increasing flexibility just before you mount55 Preparing Your Mind58 Knowing your role as the horse s leader58 Banishing your fear 59

Dressing the Part with Safe Clothing 61 Covering your head62 Slipping into the right shirt63 Protecting your legs 64 These boots are made for riding: Donning the right footwear64 Removing your jewelry65

Keeping a Close Eye on Horses When You re on the Ground65 Being in close confines with a horse 66 Moving around a tied horse 67 Identifying dangerous horse moves68 Staying Secure on a Horse68 Checking your tack before you saddle up68 Riding with others 69 Hitting the trail by yourself70