Anyone who rides will tell you that riding is one of the most enjoyable and rewarding ways to spend your time. As a sport or hobby, it can be a source of relaxation, exercise, excitement and fun. You don't have to aspire to be an A grade showjumper to take up riding, and you can never be too old to learn to ride. There are levels of riding to suite everyone, from casual weekend riders and hackers, to serious competitive showjumpers, eventers and dressage riders. Entering the horse world, however, can be daunting and difficult for a beginner. Here are some tips that should help anyone wanting to take up riding for the first time.

Even if you only want to ride casually, you will need to take riding lessons to learn the basics of riding and to become a confident rider. The best place to do this is at a riding school, where a horse with all the equipment needed for riding will be provided for you. Owning your own horse is wonderful, but buying a horse is probably not a good idea for a beginner. Once you have some riding experience, you can buy a horse if you can afford to, and if you are ready to. Otherwise, stick with school horses, which should be well behaved and well trained.

Finding a riding school can be tricky. Most riding schools in Johannesburg are outside the central suburbs, in Kyalami, Honeydew, Fourways, Benoni or Jo'burg South. Look on the internet at sites like Horse and Stable which have lists of riding schools and where they are situated. You can also check the yellow pages for schools in your area, or phone your local horse society (THS is the horse society for Gauteng - they can be reached on (011) 702-1657) for help. Once you have found a school in your area, phone them (or email them) and find out what they offer and what they charge. You should be looking for a yard which welcomes beginners - some stable yards are only for people who have their own horses, or for experienced riders. Lessons usually cost between R60-00 and R120-00 per lesson, depending on where you go.

Once you have found a suitable place, within your price range, and near to where you live, organise your first lesson. When you first arrive at the riding school, there should be a friendly atmosphere. The grounds should be well kept and neat, but don't expect immaculate conditions - the nature of horse riding doesn't usually allow for it. The animals should look content, healthy (i.e. not too thin, injured, covered in ticks or sick) and well groomed (clean shiny coats, clean eyes, etc.). The stables should be clean, and the stable floors should be covered with a sawdust or other bedding. The horses should have water and food. A lot has been written about choosing a suitable stable yard and riding school - check Horse and Stable Articles for one such article. Athenry Equestrian Centre is an ideal yard for beginners - for more information, check out our facilities, instructors and fees or email us or call Ingrid on 082 905 1368.

Riders use quite specialised equipment. Everything required for the horse should be provided by the school, so you need only worry about the rider's equipment. One of the most important pieces of riders' equipment is the hat. The riding hat protects the head in the event of a fall, and is essential for riding. Many schools have different sized hats available (check when you phone to organise), so you need not buy one straight away. However, if you plan to take up riding on a more permanent basis, you will need to buy one. They start at about R200-00, and can be bought at almost any riding shop.

Riders wear jodhpurs - these are tight pants which protect the legs when riding. Once again, it is not essential to buy these straight away. A pair of jeans or other strong pants will do well for riding in. If you only plan to ride occasionally, jeans will probably serve your purpose well. Shoes are very important for riders. Flat soled shoes are not at all suited for riding. It is important to have heels to prevent the foot from slipping through the stirrup in the event of a fall. Riding boots are the best suited for riding, but a pair of sturdy shoes with heels work perfectly for beginners. Any other equipment you may need (such as a riding crop) can be supplied by the riding school.

Some people are terrified of horses (perhaps because they are so big!). If you are interested in taking up riding, this is probably not the case. In fact, horses are generally friendly creatures, who love getting attention. It is important, though, to be careful when around horses. You should never approach a horse from the rear, because their vision is poor directly behind them, and they may kick out at something moving behind them. Also, you should never walk behind a horse, for the same reason. Some horses are unfriendly and can bite and kick, so be careful of horses you do not know. Also, try to avoid sudden threatening movements when around horses.

Horses can get scared and angry. If they put their ears flat back, and their heads down, they may be preparing to kick or bite. If they put their ears flat back, roll their eyes back and raise their heads, they are probably scared. In either of these cases, it is probably best to get out of the way. If you are careful and kind, the horse you ride will become a good friend. Horses love treats, particularly if they have worked hard, or done well. Give them plenty of attention, and carrots or apples as treats.

Tack is the name given to the horse's equipment, specifically the saddle and bridle. Both should be fitted to the horse, but this is the responsibility of the riding school. The leather of the tack should be clean and in good condition. You should never ride with tack that is badly cracked or broken. The horse should also seem comfortable with its tack. Some specific things to check for damage include the girth (strap holding the saddle to the horse), stirrup leathers (straps of leather holding the stirrups to the saddle) and reins - it is very important that these do not break while riding. Also, the numnah (saddle pad) should be clean. The horse should be tacked up for you when you arrive. You will learn to saddle up and off saddle as you ride more.

Your instructor should help you to get on the horse and adjust the stirrup length to fit your legs. You should always mount and dismount a horse on the horse's left side. There should be a mounting block (raised area where you can stand to mount the horse) at the riding school to help you. Put your left foot in the left stirrup, then swing your right leg over the back of the horse, so you end up sitting on the saddle. If you sit in the saddle and let your legs hang loose, the bottom of the stirrups should be at the same level as your ankles. You are then ready to ride. Your instructor should show you how to sit, hold the reins, and place your feet in the stirrups. After that, relax and enjoy.

The most important thing to bear in mind is that riding is supposed to be fun. Move at a pace which is comfortable for you, but do not be scared to face new challenges. Never lose heart if you struggle or fall off. Riding isn't easy, but once you've learned the basics, things will fit into place and become more natural, and you'll be able to do more and enjoy yourself more. If you ever have any questions or concerns, the riding community is very friendly, and you should be able to ask anyone for help (email us if you have any questions). Have fun, and good luck.

We welcome beginner riders at Athenry, and urge you to consider us when choosing a stable yard.