Horseback Riding Quiz!

Sandals are not ideal for horseback riding, and they can be downright dangerous. They leave your foot exposed, making it much easier for you to get an injury. In addition to this, shorts are also not the best attire to wear while on your horse.

Horses are measured in hands, from the lowest point (the ground) to their withers. One hand is equivalent to 4 inches. The tallest horse in the world is known as Big Jake, who measured a whopping 20 hands. For comparison, the average Quarter Horse stands at only 15 hands.

Confidence is key when riding a horse. This is because the horse can feed off of your energy and sense whether or not you are afraid. The more confident you feel, the more confident your horse will be with you in the saddle.

There are four gaits that a horse has, which all vary in speed. The one missing from here is a gallop, which is the fastest gait that a horse can learn. It's probably safest to leave it for the open ring rather than the open trails, however!

One of the most important commands to know when riding a horse is "stop." A firm "whoa" with a gentle pull on the reins is all you need to tell your horse to stop. This command can come in handy especially when it comes to emergencies.

The bridle is placed on the head of the horse and is used for steering. It attaches to the reins to allow for the rider to have control, rather than the horse. It would be difficult to get around without it!

A horse is most commonly trained to stand while it is dressed and mounted from the left. While it is fine to do this from the right, there is a possibility that it may startle the horse. Try to stay to the left as much as possible.

A foaling stall is vital for anyone who has a pregnant mare. It gives her and the newborn foal the privacy that they need during and even after the birth. It also provides much-needed shelter to both of them.

Tack is an integral part of getting your horse prepared for a ride. It refers to things such as your saddle, reins, bridle and other supplies. Your brushes and grooming supplies are also included in this term.

It's always important to be gentle with a horse, and this goes for when you are leading them around as well. A simple light tug and click of the mouth can get them to walk with you and allow you to leave some slack for them on the rope. You don't want to be tugging their head around!

The curry comb is very important to use as a first step in brushing your horse. Though it looks straightforward, the curry comb does a lot of work in loosening up any dirt in your horse's hair. Then you can brush that out with the rest of the tools.

A Quarter Horse gets its name from its speed. It's one of the fastest horses over a span of a quarter mile. They also make great companions, and they're perfect for a beginner rider to get their start with.

Though you may think of this as something that a dog or cat would be more likely to do, a horse is capable of this as well. More often than not, they don't mean to do it, which is why it is so important to keep your hand flat and straight as possible when feeding a treat.

Polo is played on the back of a horse while the rider tries to hit the ball. The game is from many, many years ago and passed on throughout the years. Each team in the game is made up of a group of four players.

A filly refers to a female horse that is less than four years old. After this age, she is then known as a mare instead. A horse of any gender is known as a foal if they are under the age of one year, later taking on their new names.

A saddle pad is an essential step in dressing your horse, which keeps them comfortable with you on their back. It's also important for your safety, as there's less chance that a horse may experience irritation under the saddle this way.

Barrel racing is enjoyed by many and consists of the duo circling through the three barrels and back to the finish line. The goal is to make this as fast as possible. Did you know that in official events this is mostly a women's only event?

Horses can spook easily, and it's highly possible that they'll kick in response to fear. This is why it is always important to let your horse know where you are. As you walk around your horse, simply putting your hand on it and moving it along as you walk will let your horse know that it's only you and there's nothing to be afraid of.

Every day, the horse's hooves pick up all kinds of dirt and rocks that can cause issues later if they're not cleaned out regularly. To keep your horse's feet as healthy as possible, it's important to take good care of them.

Jockeys are talented horseback riders who have trained many years to compete in races. However, not all riders are jockeys, but all jockeys are riders. Racing around a trail may feel as exhilarating as being on the track, but a jockey is exclusive to the track.

If you or your horse is green, then you're new to horseback riding. But you're in for a treat! There's nothing like the feeling of galloping on the back of your loyal steed, leaving all of your troubles behind.

Balance is the key to many things, and horseback riding is no exception. It may be your first instinct to hang on in any way you can, but once you've learned how to balance, you won't feel this need any longer.

The Kentucky Derby is one of the most important events in horseback riding. You may remember the famous Secretariat as one of the most legendary horses to ever win the Kentucky Derby. He took multiple titles in his life and earned his spot as one of the most famous racehorses of all time.

It's essential to keep in mind that you have to be gentle with the reins and keep a little bit of slack. This is because they are connected to the bit inside the horse's mouth, which is very sensitive. If you hurt the horse's mouth, it could not only be bad for your furry friend but you as well.

Just like when you're driving, it's essential to keep your eyes looking at where you want to go. It's important so that you and your horse can stay on track and minimize the risk of danger. This allows you to stay safe whether you're out on the trail or in the ring.

A trained horse can understand your simple commands and know exactly what to do, but touching them with your heels is also a good way to communicate. Talking to your horse also lets them know that everything is good and calm.

When you get on your horse, you probably want it to go ahead. But if it doesn't, now you know what to call it! There are a few ways that you can work on stopping your horse from doing this, for example, working with it from the ground.

Horses can indeed be purebred, just as a dog or cat can be. Horses have breed standards just as many other animals do, which help to keep the breed up to par. There are also crossbreed horses that are a mix of multiple breeds.

Chestnut is just one beautiful coat color that horses can have. However, there are many others, such as Sorrel, which is somewhat of a copper and a darker shade of brown.

Rather than riding the horse as most shows and competitions are known for, the handler of the horse shows it by walking it on the ground. It is then judged by its looks, form and other features that determine its place.

Your legs get a good workout in the saddle of a horse. You're always using them, from the control of the horse to keep your stability within the saddle. After a good horseback ride, you'll probably feel every single muscle you used the next day!

The eyes on a horse allow them to see almost everywhere around them. This is why it is so important to keep your eye out for anything they may spot and get startled by before they spot it and spook.

Pointing is something that all horse owners should be aware of because it can indicate more significant problems. When a horse does this, it's most commonly concerning injury or pain, meaning that the owner should have a look and keep an eye on it.

As a horseback rider, you'll choose to ride in one of two styles: Western or English riding. One difference between the two is that a Western saddle is a little more bulky, usually with a horn on the front. The English saddle is smaller and a little less detailed.