What to expect when taking horse riding lessons?

yes they do

and it might stink

u might fall of or dont know how to get up on teh horse alone

u might be scared

but its all good! and fun!
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you are going to have aches you never knew were possible
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on your first lesson you will probaly just learn the basics how to hold ur reins walking standing and probaly a little trot and most riding schools will let u have a group lesson or a private hope this helps x
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i used to take lessons, you could have pretty many people in a ring at one time, they were very strict seeing as one little mistake could be the difference of life or death, you’d start western style and they’d probubly get the horses ready for you, most lessons are 30 mins but you could do an hour
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You can expect to fall off sometimes :)
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take a day and go barn hoping and talk to people look for a trainer that has horse that can do a lot of things like trail ride show cow work gymkhana trail stuff like turn on the forehand turn on the haunches side pass open and shut gates with out getting off pick up a hat off the ground without getting of able to lead another horse while riding their horse flying lead changes at the canter when you walk through the barn the horses should have their ears up and kinda a smile happy horses leading is a pleasure no fear of the horse walking on you
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Your first lesson will be quite a bit of what I call "ground school." Where the horses are, where the tack is, how to groom a horse, how to tack up. Someone will be there for your first lesson to show you all that, but after that, you may be expected to do this on your own.

At some point, you will also be asked to sign a release of liability form – this is common at all stables. Everyone who rides there, whether once or every day, has (or should have) a signed a release.

Your first lesson you will learn to mount the horse and will walk around an arena. The instructor will explain alot of things to you – proper postures, how to hold the reins, the importance of weight, what the aids are. You will probably practicing walking and halting, using proper rein and body positioning.

Some instructors will put beginners on a lunge line so you don’t have to worry about steering, but most lesson horses know the way around the arena and can be trusted to take care of you.

If you are learning English riding, your instructor may begin teaching you how to post in your first lesson. This is often taught at the walk so you get familiar with the up and down motion for posting. You may do a little trotting and learn how to properly ask the horse to change gaits.

If all you do is walk on your first few lessons, you probably won’t be very sore. Once you start posting, you can expect a few aches but they will quickly go away as you start building new riding muscles.

It is best, in my opinion, for the first lesson to be a one-on-one experience so that the instructor can fully concentrate on one of you at a time. It might be helpful to schedule back-to-back lessons so that one can watch while the other is riding. That way, you’ll get to hear everything twice. However, instructors often do teach 2 people together.

Two things want to be sure you have before you start riding. Some sort of a tie shoe (no slip ons or gym shoes)with a heel. You don’t need to get riding boots right away, but a sturdy shoe with a heel is a must.

Secondly – and it doesn’t matter if you ride English or Western – you must wear a safety-approved helmet. Some stables have extra helmets you can use when you begin, but if you are serious about riding, you’ll want to get your own helmet. It doesn’t matter if the stable doesn’t require it or if you look at other students and no one else wears a helmet, you absolutely should be wearing a helmet.

Below is a link that might give you some additional information.
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http://www.equisearch.com/horses_riding_training/training/beginning_rider/taking_lessons091399a/

Alright, I’m just going to go through what typically happens when I give a lesson to first timers, or couples riding for their first time together.

I usually hope for the new riders to arrive half an hour before their scheduled lesson time so that I’ll have ample time to get them sorted and teach them the basics of managing your horse from the ground. Whenever a new rider is coming, I hope that they understand the type of clothing expected for them to ride in: a comfortable t-shirt, polo shirt, or a tank top that doesn’t show a bunch of cleavage (we don’t want anything slipping out, lol), and a pair of jeans or breeches (breeches are riding pants designed for english riders). They should just be knock-around clothes.

The first thing I always do is welcome them, introduce myself, and ask that they sign the release form so that we can get started without the issue of liability, since you HAVE to understand that horses are animals. They have minds of their own, and we are thus never in complete control. That being said, I’ve been riding for ten years and have never been more than a little bruised from a fall *knock on wood*, but it’s just like any sport; there’s always a slight risk. Immediately after the release is signed, I make sure that they are equipped with proper boots and a well-fit helmet, and if not, I help them find a good pair of boots and a helmet from the selection we have on-hand.

Next, I walk with the new student to their horse’s stall, introduce them to the horse, and then show them how to put a halter on a horse and lead them correctly. If I’m working with a couple, then I help one rider while one of my more experienced working students helps the other. I walk with the rider to the crossties (crossties aren’t used by all programs, but many use them. They’re like stalls designed for grooming. It’s a little square area with chains that attach to the horses’ halters so that you don’t have to hold onto the horse while grooming and tacking), and help the rider to lead the horse in (just do a u-turn basically). The crossties are usually all in one place, so if you’re a couple, then you’ll most likely be right next to each other the whole time. Not to worry :)

Now, with couples, I always have one of my working students help me out, since I want each person to have personal attention so that they learn more and are in a safe environment. I’m there the whole time, so I can supervise my working student to make sure that they’re teaching all the proper rules of safety. The remaining time before the lesson is spent showing the riders the proper methods of grooming and tacking (tacking = putting the saddle and bridle on the horse), as well as where all of the equipment is stored and explaining why horses need certain things, such as boots and special pieces of tack.

When it’s finally time for the lesson, I have our new riders put on their helmets and lead their horses out to the mounting block. I show them how to properly tighten the horse’s girth (or cinch…it’s the thing that goes around their belly to keep the saddle in place. Kinda like a belt) to keep the saddle from slipping, and then help them to mount their horses and adjust their stirrups to the proper length.

Now in our program, I’m primarily the yard manager, meaning that I’m responsible for caring for the horses, teaching/supervising the grooming and tacking of horses, and making sure that students are mounted on time for their lessons. However, I often function as an assistant instructor when there is a beginner rider in a group of advanced riders, or more than one beginner in the arena. This is just for safety reasons and so that the riders get personal attention. So, in the case of couples on their first lesson, our head instructor will usually take one rider, and I’ll take the other. We’ll teach in the same arena, so the couple will still ride together, but they’ll have their own personal instructor so that they can be taught more effectively and safely. If you’re nervous, tell your instructor, and they’ll work to help you build your confidence. It’s important that we know if you’re nervous, because we want you to feel comfortable, and it’s difficult to ride if you’re very nervous, so in the case of nervous riders, we spend the first five or ten minutes letting them just relax and settle down. There’s really very little to be nervous about, though, because for your first lesson, you should be put on horses that know the drill. The horses are used to their riders needing a little bit of help, and won’t hold grudges if you make a mistake. They’re usually very steady, old-reliable types of horses that are – if anything – a little stubborn, since we’d rather you have a horse that was difficult to get going than one that was difficult to stop.

In the first lesson, our primary concern is teaching riders proper steering. What you can expect is that – depending on the horse – you may struggle a lot with steering the horse exa
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unfortunately, you probably won’t be riding in the same lesson as your boyfriend. trainers usually start each rider individually. but it’ll only be about a half hour long. you’ll be really sore for the next few days, so stretch after. the butterfly stretch really helps :)

before your lesson, you’ll be introduced to the horse and learn how to put on a halter. it’s confusing at first, but you’ll get it fast. then you’ll learn how to lead and put them in the cross ties. you’ll learn about the different brushes, what they’re for and how to use them. and how to pick out feet. when the horse is well groomed, your trainer will show you how to tack up. the first couple times, she’ll just show you, but after a few lessons, you’ll be able to try it on your own. you’ll learn how to place the saddle pad on their back and then how to put the saddle on (trust me, the barbie horses are totally inaccurate :). once the saddle’s on, you’ll learn how to fasten the girth. then you’ll move to the head where the bridle will be put on (unless boots or polo wraps are put on. you’ll learn that after a while). again, the trainer will just show you. then you’ll put on your helmet and lead the horse to the arena.

there you’ll learn how to adjust your stirrups, mount up, hold the reins, how to sit, how to go and stop and then turn. and be constantly reminded to keep your heels down. you may be asked to drop the reins once you feel comfortable so you can stretch and pet the horse all over. you’ll be asked to lean forward and hug him on the neck and bend backwards to pet him on the butt. maybe even to touch your toes. don’t worry, it won’t scare him; you’ll be on the sleepiest horse on the property :) that’ll basically be your first one or two lessons. after that, you’ll learn how to post (at the walk). this prepares you to trot. you’ll also be doing a lot of two-point to help with your heels. once you’re done, you learn to dismount and go back to the cross ties. (all this assumes you’ll be riding english. i’m not sure what the first steps are for a western rider are, but i assume they’re not that different).

there, it’s pretty much the reverse of tacking up. you take the saddle, girth, bridle and any wraps/boots off the horse. then you groom him so all the dirt and sweat is off. if it’s hot and he’s sweating, you’ll hose him off and scrape the sweat off. then pick his feet out (if needed). make sure he has fly spray on (if it’s hot). that’s basically it :)

whether you ride western or english is based on where you ride and who’s teaching you. and future ambitions (which don’t have to be competing. if you just want to know enough to safely trail ride, go western. if you maybe want to jump, go english. keep in mind you can always change over. the two aren’t THAT different). anyway, i hope i helped and i hope you’re first lesson is great!!
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experience; helped with a lot of lessons and taken several myself

Here’s what I did for my first lesson. Also, this answer is from another question that I answered a while ago. Here’s the answer. Hope it helps! Oh, and it all depends on what YOUR instructor wants you to do first.

"Don’t be nervous. Riding is really fun. I ride English. My instructor is really nice. If you’re instructor sounds really strict or mean, it’s because they want you to do it correctly and they’ll make you a better rider. On the first day, I was introduced to the horse. I learned how to groom her, put on a halter, tie the halter, put the saddle on, attach the girth, put the bridle on, and a bunch of stuff. We walked around the arena for a little bit, then I learned to post the trot. It’s hard at first, but then it becomes easier. On Friday is my 4th lesson, I’m learning how to canter. I cantered in a Western saddle before. So, she’s going to put me in a Western saddle the first time before trying it in the English saddle. Last week, we’re went on trail rides and were headed back to her property, my horse broke into a canter! I didn’t kick her at all. So, I guess I’ll give you a few tips. ^_^

*When you post the trot, let the horse push you out of the saddle then sit down lightly/softly. It’s like a up and forward motion. You can search for videos about posting on YouTube.
*Don’t lean forward if you’re riding in an arena. If you’re going uphill on a trail ride, then you lean forward. Lean back when going downhill.
*If you feel like you’re going to lose your balance, hold onto a little bit of the mane. Don’t do it often because then you’ll reply on it.
*Always keep your heels down! If you feel like you’re going to fall forward, put you’re heels down. It helps for balance.
*When you go on trail rides (uphill and downhill), try not to hold onto the mane so much. I’m trying to break that habit. It’s kinda scary, but you’ll get used to it. You’ll love it.
*The 1st time you canter, if you’re scared, canter in a Western saddle first. It makes you feel more secured. Then the next time go back to English.

Well, I think that’s it. Your instructor will tell you more. Sorry for such a long answer! :P"
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http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20090814093251AAAJBP5&r=w&pa=AptqD2bwHTHc6.CFZKk3vIKKsOkr3QPVnA_nWT.si3NHWw–&paid=voted