Learning how to ride a horse should be an enjoyable experience, it can however be a little daunting. There are a few things to remember which will help you pick it up in no time.

Your hands should be kept close to your horse, your instincts may kick in and you may use your hand and arms to keep your balance. This is counterproductive as by doing this you will loosen your reins and have less control over your horse. Keep your hands down and if you need to balance use your legs. 

Also, do not hold the reins too tight as this will confuse your horse and make him think you want him to stop or slow down. It can put on unnecessary pressure and hurt your horse’s mouth if you grip too much on the reins so try and give him a little leeway by moving your hands with the movement of the horse. This takes practice but once you get into a rhythm it will come naturally.

Keep your heels down! When new riders are learning to master the trot, many lift themselves up by rocking forward out of their seat. Standing on your tip toes will likely mean you are out of rhythm and bouncing all over the place. Keep your heels down and lift yourself with your knees, this will help you maintain a good position and it takes the pressure off the horses back. Once you have mastered this it will feel more comfortable and controlled.

Your feet should not be too far into the stirrup. Try and make the ball of your foot rest on the stirrup, this will improve your general position and stop you from relying on your stirrups to pull you up.

Do not grip too tightly with your legs. Riding successfully is more about balance than grip. By clenching your legs your horse may see this as a cue to speed up or move forward. By tensing your body this can affect your horses attitude as well. So, sit with your shoulders back and relax your legs a little. 

New riders sometimes look like are sitting in a chair. Your knees should not be drawn up like a jockey. Practise letting your legs hang downwards from your hips. The proper alignment is that your heels, hips and shoulders should all line up.

Look where you are going and not at the horse. It is easy to get distracted by looking at your horse, especially if you are nervous but looking down will stiffen your spine and make it more difficult for your horse to carry you. Some people say to look through your horse’s ears, this is only partially true, looking through your horse’s ears may give you an indication on where you are going but you also need to look around you for potential obstacles.

As you could guess form the name, Arabian horses originate from Arabian Peninsula. Appearance wise, this breed is well known for its arched neck and high carried tail. Once of the most recognisable and oldest breeds, the Arabian is thought to date back almost 4,500 years. Due to their excellent qualities, they dominate the discipline of endurance riding. They have also been used to improve other breeds due to their speed, endurance and strong bone structure.  The Arabian can be found in many places like United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, Continental Europe, South America, and its land of origin the Middle East.

Shetland ponies are one of the smallest breeds, not normally exceeding 42 inches (10.2 hands). Originating from the Shetland Isles, the small but mighty Shetland pony may be small but can still excel at certain tasks. These small but strong ponies are brilliant at cart pulling, driving and due to their appearance make super show ponies. For small riders, you cannot go far wrong with a Shetland pony, they are brilliant first ponies. Due to their strong and intelligent nature, they make good companion ponies as they are relatively easy to look after.

The cob horse is usually a shorter horse of a compact muscular build. With strong bones, larger joints, and a steady disposition. They are larger than ponies and excel at driving and showing, as well as dressage, jumping and even hunter classes. There are various breeds of the common cob, including welsh cobs, with the typical build of the traditional cob. In competition, unlike most other cobs, these animals are shown with full manes and tails. Gypsy cobs, often seen in coloured horse classes Originally a favourite of Romany travellers, who used them to pull caravans, they are now used for driving, dressage, showing, and even jumping. Norman Cobs are a breed of light draft horse that originated in the province of Normandy in northern France. Cobs are good allrounders, thanks to their responsive yet calm temperaments. 

The Thoroughbred is very well known for its speed, spirit and agility. Mainly seen as a race horse breed this type of horse also has many other talents such as show jumping, Cross-country, dressage, show Hunting and even western riding. Thoroughbreds are mainly found in England where the breed was developed but they are becoming more popular elsewhere. Astonishingly, all modern thoroughbreds can trace their pedigrees to three stallions originally imported into England in the 17th century and 18th century. 

The appaloosa has a beautiful leopard spotted pattern. Mostly popular in America, known as stock horses used in western disciplines. Although their reputation as a working horse is slowly changing as more and more people are buying them as show horses for halter shows, show jumping and even endurance riding. If you have ever seen prehistoric cave paintings in Europe depicting prehistoric horses with leopard spotting, this is where the Appaloosa bread originates from.

Horse insurance policies are designed to help with the hefty bills that can occur if your horse gets ill or has a health-related emergency. 

Owning a horse is such a rewarding experience, and as you love your pet you will of course want to make sure your horse is protected should anything happen. Accidents can occur when you least expect it, as can sudden illness so you shouldn’t delay in insuring your horse. 

Basic horse insurance policies will cover any necessary veterinary treatment fees, normally for injury, accident, illness or diseases. Unless you are taking out lifetime cover, illnesses will only be covered for the first twelve months, dependant on any financial limits this may be a shorter period of time. Make sure you are clear on exactly what your policy covers you for.

Extra items are normally available to add onto your equine insurance policy dependant on which company you decide to go with. Some companies offer premium plans which include more flexibility.

Some examples of optional extras are listed below.

If you a professional rider you may be entitled to cover the value of any activities you were scheduled to take part in.

In the tragic event that you should lose your beloved companion, some policies will insure you for the market value. This is normally dependant on circumstances, i.e. if your horse passed away due to accidental injury. Death cover also normally includes cover for the cost of any removal / disposal needed of your horses body.

If your horse is lost or stolen for a significant period of time, some policies will cover the price you paid for your horse. This may also include and advertising and rewards costs.

If your horse causes damage, either to someone’s property or someone is killed or injured, this will be covered in most third party options. This is dependent on who is responsible for the accident legally. 

You can opt in to cover any saddlery, tack or trailers you may own. This will cover you for the cost if any items are lost, stolen, or damaged. Anyone who owns horses will know how costly the equipment can be, it is also a crucial element of owning a horse. Don’t lose out and make sure you are protected.

Most insurance companies will over cover horses until the age of around 20 years. After which your horse is classed as mature and will require a different insurance policy.

It is not just your horse that needs protection. Horse riding can be a dangerous activity and so it is best to make sure you are protected too.

Most horse riding insurance policies will include:

• Personal Accident, Death and Disablement
• Public Liability 
• Loss of Education fees

Exactly what you are covered for will vary between insurance companies; often you will have the option to include more sections too.

Horses and ponies are popular pets, owning one is great fun and immensely rewarding. Horses and ponies vary in breed, size and temperament, although, in terms of care there are some main needs you will need to see to. 

Your horses living area should be safe and secure. Check for any hazards such as toxic plants such as ragwort or yew and ensure that any fencing is in good condition. 

Horses are large animals and in turn need a lot of exercise. Access to a paddock, preferably in the company of others is ideal.

Any horses left in a paddock need shelter from the elements, sun, wind, rain and hot or cold weather.

Stabled horses will need a clean, draught free environment. Stables should be cleaned at least once a day, and it is recommended to use good quality, dust-free bedding. Horses that are kept in for too long can become agitated and show strange behaviour.

A healthy diet for horses consists of continuous access to fresh water and as much grazing as possible. This will help to keep their gut and stomach healthy.

Additional hard feed may be required, depending on your horses lifestyle and pasture. Some pastures may not provide adequate nutrition and your horse will need to be topped up with hard feed to maintain their body weight. 

Keep an eye on your horses weight, overweight horses are more prone to developing laminitis. Laminitis is an extremely painful foot disorder.

An equine nutritionist or vet can advise you of a healthy diet for your horse.

When you are grooming your horse, it is a good idea to check for any injuries or signs of illness. Ideally this should be done every day. Once you get to know your horse you will recognise if they are acting differently, this can be an early sign of illness. 

Regular worming and vaccinations are essential to protect your horse again influenza and tetanus.

Hooves should be inspected daily for any foreign objects, swelling or anything else out of the ordinary. Even if your horse does not wear shoes, their hooves should be seen by a blacksmith at least every six weeks.

An equine dentist can check your horses teeth, do this at least once a year. Any sharp edges of hooks that have developed could become painful.

If you are looking to buy a horse, it would be worth asking a vet to check them over for any illnesses or unseen problems.

Currently there is an overpopulation of horses and it is encouraged to not breed them.

Take time to get to know your horse. Do not use any fear tactics when training your horse as this will only lead to problems. Use consistent training methods, with positive rewards.

If your horse exhibits strange behaviour, seek advice from a vet as this could be a sign that there is an underlying problem.

Boredom can lead to behaviour issue so make sure that you are giving your horse enough stimulation.

A happy and healthy horse requires attention and care in the form of food, water, shelter, exercise, space to roam and more. Owning a horse is a rewarding experience but is also a constant responsibility.

There are many elements of basic horse care, but a good place to start is with grooming. You should groom your horse before riding to prevent any dirt or debris from causing discomfort to the horse. Even if you do not ride your horse you should try and groom them at least once a week.

Being groomed, petted and scratched all over is very enjoyable to a horse, and a great way to bond with your pet whilst ensuring that they are clean and hygienic.

As well as grooming there are many other things to consider such as housing, feed, foot and dental care. You should also keep a well-stocked first aid kit including all of the essential items such as cotton roll, scissors, tweezers, antiseptic wash, disinfectant and any other useful items.

An average horse should have at least one acre for roaming around and getting exercise naturally. As to feeding your horse there are many options depending on how active your horse is and whether they have any dietary requirements. There are many people that allow their horses to graze naturally on grass and only provide hay when the grass needs to replenish. If you are showing your horse you may want to feed them supplements to get the best performance.

Caring for your horses’ feet is one of the most important things you can do. Without healthy feet your horse will live a miserable and debilitating existence. You should pick their hooves periodically to make sure there are no rocks or other unwanted objects lodged in there, are these may cause damage to the sensitive part of the hoof. It will also prevent thrush and any other nasty bacterial build ups. A blacksmith will trim your horses’ hooves and shoe your horse if needed.

When it comes to riding your horse you should ensure that the saddle and bridle are correctly fitted to ensure you are not hurting them. Badly fitted equipment can lead to back problems and behavioural issues which are difficult to correct.

Assuming you are comfortable with the basics of horse riding, ie. Positioning and holding the reins correctly, horse riding can provide hours of fun for you and your horse, it is a great way to bond with your pet whilst giving them the exercise that they require.

Horses can sometimes be easily spooked so if you are still getting to know your horse, remain vigilant and patient, incase of anything spooking your horse, the best thing to do is to remain calm and give your horse a reassuring stroke to calm them down. Horses are great at picking up on our emotions and if you stay calm and give them no reason to be scared they will likely listen to you and soon learn they can trust you.

There are a number of ways to lower the cost of your pet insurance. As a pet owner you should always compare different quotes before you get a pet insurance.

Top 4 things to think about before you approach your pet insurance company to get your quote (with a discount) is to make sure that 

1. Get a pet insurance  when your little puppy or pet its young and healthy, as any preconditions your pet might have will increase your pet insurance premium.
2. Make sure your pet is sprayed/neutered as this might give you another opportunity to get a pet insurance discount.
3. If you have got your puppy or pet chipped some of the pet insurance companies will give you a discount.
4. If you have multiple pets you should approach the pet insurance company with this information as many pet insurance companies give multiple pet discounts. 

For more ideas on what Pet insurance company to use check out the list of different UK Pet insurance companies.