By Jenny Seib Many of us have harbored dreams from early childhood of horseback riding atop a ridge overlooking awe-inspiring vistas as the sun sets behind us. We can easily picture ourselves atop that black beauty, silhouetted against a panoramic backdrop or loping gracefully across emerald meadows. At one time or another, you may have dreamed of fulfilling the American iconic picture of becoming a cowboy (or cowgirl). Today, there are many opportunities nationwide for us to become cowboys, even if it’s only for a day or a week. Dude ranches, outfitters, and horse packing trips have grown in popularity as we strive to accomplish what might otherwise have been impossible. The best part about these horseback riding vacation destinations is that you don’t have to continue to feed your trusty mount after you leave, and the outfitters are professionals at getting city slickers ready to ride out of their ordinary lives and into the slower-paced extraordinary. Outfitters are experts at pairing horse and rider. Don’t be tempted to explain that you are an expert, however, because of that time you rode a buddy’s mare around the pasture. Your guide and the horse will quickly know the truth, and you don’t want to be placed on a horse that exceeds your experience. Act Like an Expert Even if You’re Not Here are some tips that will get you acting like a horseback riding expert in no time! Proper Equipment It’s important that you have the right equipment for horseback riding safety. Amongst the items you should pack are a helmet (if your outfitter doesn’t have one, you’ll have a backup), blue jeans, boots with a 1-inch heel, gloves, bug repellent, and sunscreen. Approaching a Horse Always approach a horse with caution. That’s not to say that they tend to be vicious or wild, but, frankly, they are considerably bigger than you and can hurt you. Walk up to your mount and allow him (a gelding) or her (a mare) to sniff your hand. Once properly acquainted, gently stroke his neck and whisper soothing nothings to reassure him you are, in fact, as nice as you look. Mounting and Dismounting From the left side of your horse, insert your boot into the stirrup, grab a handful of mane (it won’t hurt him), and smoothly pull yourself up. Deposit your weight gently into the saddle. John Wayne is perhaps the only one who can leap atop a saddled horse from a rooftop and live to tell the tale. Once astride, relax, lean over, and slip your right boot through the right stirrup. You may find that a mounting block assists with this process. Starting and Stopping Your Mount You will be on a horse that probably knows more than you do about horseback riding, but there’s no need to let him on to this fact. To move your mount forward, collect your reins and hold them loosely enough that you maintain contact with the bit, but don’t pull back. Gently squeeze your calves against the horse’s sides and cluck to him. This should be enough to get him walking out. To stop, collect your reins, applying gentle backward pressure with the bit, and settle back further into the seat of the saddle. Moving Out If you are yearning to feel the wind rushing through your hair, you can get your mount moving faster, at a trot, by applying pressure again with both legs until he begins to trot. You can sit this seat by settling down in the saddle and keeping your heels down, or you can post the trot. To post, you lift yourself up and out of the saddle at every other “bump.” If this is still not satisfying your need for speed, apply pressure with your calves once more, but this time, move your outside leg back behind the girth area (the strap stretching under your horse). Keep applying pressure until your horse moves into the smoother, but faster, canter or lope. Stop the same way. No sharp tugs or jerks. Apply steady, even pressure back and settle your backend deep into the saddle. Getting off in an emergency If you plan to go horseback riding, plan to fall. It may not happen, but it’s better if you know what to do in the unforeseen situation you need to get off now. You can either fall off or use an emergency dismount. The fall is just that: fall off and roll quickly away to avoid those nasty hooves. The emergency dismount requires you grab the mane with both hands, remove your feet from the stirrups (critical), swing your legs forward and then back, and then swing your right leg over the horse’s head and jump clear. You really shouldn’t attempt to do either of these unless it’s urgent you get off. Urgent would include your horse running off a cliff or bolting uncontrollably. It’s always better to control the horse. If your horse is determined to run, buck, or otherwise potentially cause grievous bodily harm, first try sharply pulling with one rein to get his head turned. Once turned, a horse cannot run or buck. It should effectively stop misbehavior. Here is a list of the best horseback riding destination for beginners to help you get started. Mayan Dude Ranch (Texas) Great retreat for beginners who want to keep it easy. http://www.mayanranch.com Sylvan Dale Guest Ranch (Colorado) Fly fishing, cattle drives, and very family oriented. http://www.sylvandale.com/activities/fishing/fishing_dude.html Parade Rest Guest Ranch (Montana) See what Big Sky Country really means here. Family-oriented. Choose from an easy ride in the corral to a four-hour ride through pristine Montana country. http://www.paraderestranch.com/montana_horseback_riding.htm French Broad Outpost Ranch (Tennessee) http://www.frenchbroadriver.com/DudeRanch1.htm Even Tennessee has the horseback riding vacation you’ve been searching for. Clear Creek Ranch (North Carolina) Hay rides, horseback riding, swimming, volleyball, youth activities, and fishing are just a few of the activities you can expect at this all-inclusive horse retreat. http://www.clearcreekranch.com/