Riding horses is fun and the companionship you feel when you ride a horse that is a full fledged family member just can't be beat.

It will become second nature to anyone that rides often and all horses are individuals but there are a few standards you can use for all horses and adjust them to the temperament and personality of your horse.

When you're riding a horse for the first time or you don't have a lot of experience, never ride alone. Always make sure that you have someone who is experienced in handling horses is riding with you, so if there's a problem they can teach you the best way to overcome it and also so you can learn from them.

Mount your horse from the left side. Many horses can be taught to accept being mounted from either side but if you don't know the horse well yet, assume he's only been trained on the left. Some horses get skittish if mounted on an unfamiliar side so to ensure your horse is comfortable from the beginning of the ride until the end, go with the left side mount. Once you know the personality of your horse, you can adjust mounting to your own preferences.

Watch your feelings when you ride your horse. Horses are very astute and also very sensitive. If you're nervous and apprehensive - the horse will pick up on that and if you have a clever and spirited horse, he might "try" you a little to see how much he can get away with. If you're stressed or feeling upset - just spend time grooming your horse and when you're feeling calmer, take him out for a ride you can both enjoy!