Hi, I’m Sara Bale, your Equine Coach. Let me be the first to welcome you to the wildly wonderful world of horses. Did your love for horses begin with a childhood pony ride? Was it from watching Spirit (a childhood favorite for my cousins and me), Walk. Ride. Rodeo., Heartland, Yellowstone, or classics like Black Beauty or Secretariat? Was it watching a parade or seeing Barrel Racing for the first time at a rodeo? I am excited to be your guide as you discover your new or lifelong passion for horses. Are you ready for one of the most unique and exciting experiences of your life? Let’s jump right in and show you where to start!

1. Research Riding Schools:

• Google “Riding Lessons near me.” Once you have found a few places, give them a call or email to schedule a time to go check them out in person. A visit allows you to:
• Assess the Atmosphere: Is the barn warm and welcoming? Is the facility well-organized, clean, and tidy? A well-maintained facility often indicates a commitment to professionalism and care. Talk to barn patrons and current students. Ask them what they enjoy and what they would change about the facility.
• Check Out the Horses: As horse lovers, the care and welfare of horses is a top priority. Are the horse stalls clean, and do the horses have access to fresh water? Do the horses look happy, healthy, and well-fed? Happy horses make for happy riders.
• Connect With the Riding Instructor: This is key!Ask them how long they have been teaching. What is their teaching philosophy? What are their safety protocols? What events can you join? There could be barn movie nights, local horse shows, and gymkhanas. How do they match horse and rider? In a riding instructor, you are looking for someone who:
• Makes you feel safe and comfortable.
• Is an excellent communicator who makes horsemanship tools relatable.
• Is deeply invested in your learning and growth. 
• Come Prepared (For Fun and Safety!)

Your first day at the barn isn’t Milan Fashion Week. It’s a fun and engaging learning experience!

• Choose Clothes You Don’t Mind Getting Dirty: Wear loose-fitting clothes that allow you to move easily, and that you don’t mind being covered in dirt, hay, or even manure (it happens!). A T-shirt, jeans, and boots are best.
• All About These Boots: Avoid sandals, flip-flops, sneakers, and open-toed shoes. They won’t protect your feet from horse hooves or manure. Wear boots with smooth leather or rubber soles without laces. This prevents your foot from becoming caught in the stirrup.
• Brain Bucket First: When sitting on a typical horse, you’re 10 feet above the ground. A horse gallops at about 30 mph, unless it’s Seabiscuit. Picture this: you’re riding, and suddenly your horse darts out from under you. You’re stuck in midair, like Wile E. Coyote over a canyon, holding a sign that says “Ouch!” Horses can be unpredictable, even when trained. Falling is inevitable; brain injury is not. You have only one brilliant, beautiful brain: protect it wisely. Always wear a certified riding helmet to protect your brain. Many barns provide helmets for your first lesson, but check ahead. If you plan to ride often, get your own ASTM/SEI certified riding helmet. It’s a smart investment for safety and comfort.  

Seasonal Smarts:

• Summer: Bring sunscreen, bug spray, and plenty of water or Gatorade to stay hydrated. One of my favorite ways to beat the heat is to take a cooling cloth or bandana and dampen it with cool water, wring it out, and tie it around my neck.
• Winter: During the winter, layer up. Wet and cold feet quickly end a lesson!  Bring an extra pair of thick wool socks and gloves. Putting disposable hand warmers in your gloves or socks feels luxurious.
• Snacks & Mindset: Pack some snacks to enjoy after your ride. Riding is a great full-body workout, and you’ll be surprised how much energy you burn! Most importantly, bring a curious mind and a can-do attitude. A good instructor will ensure you build a foundation on the ground before you even think about jumping on a horse. Your attitude will make all the difference.
• Debunking Movie Myths (Real Horses, Real Relationships!): Forget what you’ve seen in movies for a minute!There is no jumping on the back of strange horse hollering “Giddy up, Yaw!” or “Ride like the wind Bullseye!”
• Instant Besties? Horses don’t instantly become your ride-or- die companion like Woody and Bullseye from Toy Story. Nope, any relationship worth having takes curiosity, work, and time. You have come to your riding lesson to start a partnership.
• It Begins on the Ground: This means grooming, groundwork, and learning the proper ways to respectfully move around a horse. This is a great way to establish trust and connection before you even get in the saddle. What you learn on the ground shapes your ride. It teaches you to lead and support them. It shows how they react to your energy. This foundation is key to your success.
• Remember Horses are Prey Animals: When you get scared, your brain’s first response is fight or flight. Humans are predators. Horses are prey. Their first instinct when they get scared is to run away. This means no running, yelling, jumping at them, or making loud noises. Your calm, consistent energy will earn their trust in you.
• Different by Design: Horses have their eyes are on the side of their head. Their eyes are designed to see predators beside or behind them. Their vision is different from ours. Humans are predators; we can see directly in front of our face. When you approach a horse, don’t walk up to their face. Horses can’t see as well as a human directly at their face or under their nose.  When you approach a horse walk to their shoulder where they can see you.

4. Your First Riding Lesson is a F.F.T.:

Borrowed from world-renowned shame researcher Brené Brown, F.F.T. effing or fun first time. Your first riding lesson is a F.F.T. experience.

• Normalizing Newness: It is completely normal to feel anxious, uncomfortable, or awkward. Riding is a mind-blowing experience. You are learning a brand-new language with a horse. Your brain and body are processing a huge amount of new information.
• Perfection is a Myth: Understand that you’re not going to be a good rider immediately. It’s going to be hard, uncomfortable, and awkward for a while. Be okay with that. Don’t set yourself up, or shame yourself by expecting perfection from the start. “This is exactly how new is supposed to feel. This is uncomfortable because brave is uncomfortable.” Brené Brown.
• Practice Self-Compassion: Celebrate small wins, like holding the reins correctly, stopping, turning, or mounting safely. Be kind to yourself as you learn. Riding is like any sport or hobby—you’ve got to get your “reps” in to improve and enjoy it. “Greatness is doable. Greatness is many, many individual feats and each of them doable.” Angela Duckworth.

1. Unplug to Connect:

Like most brilliant teachers, the horse asks you to put your phone down and give your full attention. Your horse will gladly stand with you for a selfie after class.

• Mindfulness Moment: Take a deep breath in through your nose and out through your mouth. Shift your weight in your boots, feel the ground supporting you. What are you feeling? Where are you feeling this emotion in your body? What do you notice about your horse’s body language? Look at your horse, what are they feeling? Be in the moment and observe. Horses are incredibly emotionally intelligent and wonderful teachers. Watch how your instructor interacts with you and your horse.
• Listen to Your Instructor: Your instructor is your guide to safety and learning. They will give you clear directions on how to interact with your horse and the “why” behind each action. Don’t be afraid to ask questions when you are curious or don’t understand. It is the riding instructor’s job to teach you in a way that connects with you and makes sense.
• Celebrate Your Horse Journey: Thank you for trusting me as your guide to your first riding lesson. Today we learned what to search for in a barn and riding instructor. To wear boots and a helmet. Trust is earned on the ground first. How to treat horses with respect, and how to enjoy riding as an F.F.T. Lastly, we learned to be present and listen to our riding instructor. In case no one has told you, I am so proud of you! You just rode a 1,000-pound animal; you are so brave! Riding is a lifelong pursuit of learning, connection, and joy. Your first lesson is only the beginning sentences of the first chapter of your horse story. You are embarking on something truly special. Riding will challenge you. Horses will reward you. You’ll connect with people, nature, and animals in a way you’ve never experienced before. 
• Ready to Start Your Own F.F.T with Horses?

I am Sara Bale, your Equine Coach, and I am here to guide you every step of the way. Horses touch a place in our soul the way nothing else can. If you’re ready to experience that bond, reach out today! Let’s make your first ride an unforgettable one. Let’s connect and talk horses!

My website: www.equinecoachsara.com

My email: sara@equinecoachsara.com

My cell phone: (317) 800-4592

What movie, TV show, or book inspired you to dream about horses? Tell me your story in the comments below! 👇