Horse Riding Routes for Beginners

By Tania Navarro posted on 27 October 2014 | Reading time: 3 Minutes | Last update 21 September 2018

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If you've never ridden a horse but would like to try, here are some basic tips for your first experience. We're sure once you try it, you'll want to do it again.

Horse riding for beginners

Do you love horses? Know nothing about them but adore these beautiful animals? Not sure where to begin?

Increasing numbers of people of all ages are trying horse riding for the first time, and a great way to start is with a guided horse trek.

There are many options available (see here), but first let's cover some essential tips for your first ride:

The Equestrian Centre. First and foremost, choose a reputable establishment. Remember you'll be riding a large animal on open trails without protective barriers, so it's crucial the activity is led by true professionals.

Spend 10 minutes reading reviews from previous customers. For an enhanced experience, select riding centres located in natural settings where you can enjoy stunning landscapes.

Equipment and clothing. Wear comfortable clothing: jeans, tracksuit bottoms or leggings (non-slip). Avoid shorts, short skirts, high heels or overly thick hiking boots. Ideal footwear includes trainers or riding boots. The centre must provide safety helmets without exception. We additionally provide disposable caps (for hygiene) for those who want to wear them under helmets.

On the day. Arrive early - don't cut it fine. It's good for you and your group to see the horses beforehand, pet them and mentally prepare before mounting. Once the instructor says "let's mount up", everything happens very quickly. So take your time.

We strongly believe in the benefits of a mini-lesson before heading out - first-time riders are often tense until they gain some control. This preparation means you'll enjoy the ride more relaxed, and we can assess if anyone shouldn't proceed for safety reasons.

These careful measures have ensured excellent safety standards for many years. We therefore limit this activity to over-15s, as horse riding does carry some inherent risk.

Then it's time for your woodland horse ride, typically in groups of 2-8 people with expert guides. Depending on the group's level, you may trot or even canter - always at the instructor's discretion.

The benefits of horse riding are countless (hence equine therapy exists) - you'll disconnect from everything, forget stress and gain confidence from handling a horse.

For those who've tried it - who doesn't remember "that time I went horse riding"? It creates lasting memories.

If you discover a passion for it, you can always sign up for riding lessons - which we'll cover in our next article.

Our riding centres "Equus Aventura" (in Cànoves and Mataró) have become the reference for horse riding in Barcelona province. We offer rides through the Montseny and Montnegre Natural Parks, just 30 minutes from Barcelona, where our magnificent horses await to give you an unforgettable day.