(English Style)
Estimated Prep Time: 30-40 mins
Estimated Total Time: 2-3 hours
Ingredients:
1 Horse/Any type (depending on skill level)
1C Courage
1C Patience
1C Physical Endurance
1 Pair Non-skid low-heeled boots/Preferably Leather
1 Pair Long Pants or Britches/Any Color
1 Sports Bra
1 Polo type Shirt or T-Shirt/Any Color
1 Helmut (optional)
1 Pair Gloves (optional)
Assorted Tack = Saddle, stirrups, pad, bridle, crop (optional)
Assorted Grooming Tools = Brushes, detangling combs, fly sprays, hoof pick
1 Bag of Carrots or Apples (optional)
Directions:
Step 1: Get Dressed
Assemble on person, prior to arriving at barn; slide on britches or pants, cover sports bra with shirt, top off with socks and boots.
Step 2: Prepare Horse
Take halter and lead from barn and walk out to pasture. Once inside field, walk up and slip halter on horse. Walk to barn. Inside barn, cross tie horse in aisle, brush horse all over following hair laying direction, comb mane and tail, pick out hoofs, check for any marks or injury not previously detected. Feed Carrot or Apple.
Step 3: Saddle Horse
SLOWLY lay pad on horses back, followed by saddle. Next, belt the girth strap to the saddle. Tighten until secure. Grab the bridle and place reins over horse’s head and remove cross ties. Now holding the bit and using your shoulder as a head rest, slide the bit into the horse’s mouth. Place the top band behind horses’ ears and latch in back of head. Walk out to the riding arena.
Step 4: Combine Courage and Patience
Check girth tightness, adjust if needed. Mount Horse, take a breath, and walk on. Walk, trot or canter as preferred for at least 30 mins and up to 1 hour.
Step 5: To canter on a horse is to fly without wings. To find the connection with a horse is to know pure trust.
Step 6: Dismount and hug horse.
Step 7: Walk back to barn. Remove bridle, attach halter, attach cross ties, unsaddle horse, brush horse, feed treats. Attach lead, remove cross ties, walk back to pasture. Once inside gate, remove halter. Put all tack away, sweep aisle.
Repeat as needed.
