Most children have always begged their parents for a pony or a horse sometime or another. Some children have received such a gift and have grown up rearing horses and sometimes breeding them for races or shows. If you’re up for a little Western feel of adventure, then maybe you would like to take up horseback riding.

Horseback riding, formally known as Equestrianism, refers to the skill of riding or driving horses. This general description includes the use of horses for working purposes as well as recreational activities and competitive sports.

Working purposes include situations where horses are trained and ridden for police work, pulling carriages, or controlling and herding animals on a ranch. For competitive sports, they are used for polo, endurance racing, show jumping, vaulting, rodeo, and of course horse racing, just to name a few.

Non-competitive recreational usage of horses includes the sport fox hunting, trail riding or hacking. Public access to horses are available almost anywhere in the world, such as in many parks, ranches, and barns. These places offer both guided and independent trail riding.

There is much skill required to ride a horse, no matter how careful you can be, there is always a chance the horse may get spooked and either buck wildly to throw you off its back or even kick you. As a result, you could end up seriously hurt to the point of paralysis or worse – death. To prevent such accidents, take much precaution in rearing a properly trained horse or try not to break in wild horses.

For more resources on horseback riding, such as places of interest, and various competitions held near you, go to the Traveller Trail's Travelogue and Directory.