Horseback racing

By Alyssa McSorley 

Over the years, many popular spots have come and gone. One sport that has been around for over 5,000 years is horseback riding, or horse racing. It seems like a really easy sport, but it actually requires a lot of skill, patience, and care. ‘’Horseback riding is the art of riding a horse and controlling the animal’s movement and speed with maximum effectiveness and minimum efforts. To become a good rider most people, start by obtaining a general knowledge of horses.’’ (britannica.com). 

Horses were tamed in order to be ridden to new places for resources and food thousands of years ago. Gradually people found more use for horses and became increasingly dependent on them. In the early 20^th century, horses became less used in warfare and transportation and started getting introduced into the sports world. Horses were still used for farming purposes, but they started being involved in new sports, such as racing, fencing, and polo. Many shows and competitions are also competed using horses, like rodeos and pony club rallies.  

To become a good horseback rider, the rider must know the movements of their horse and understand its wants and needs. They need to care for it in a humane way and be able to properly care for it. Horse training begins right after its birth, and racing starts when it’s about three years old. Although not every technique works for taming most horses, a lot of them are helpful and have been used for many years. ‘’People need to have patience and create a bond with the horse in order for it to be receptive to learning. People should also know various training techniques, so if one technique does not work, they can try a different one. Riders should be firm in establishing their dominance yet fair in their expectations. They should also learn to communicate consistently with their horse. Positive reinforcement—verbal praise, a treat, or petting—to reward a horse’s good behavior helps both to show the horse respect and to gain respect from the horse.’’ 

Horseback riding is a very popular but demanding sport, and the people who race and contribute to this sport have to be patient, understanding, and know how to care for their horse.  

Horses are frequently used in racing and competitions.

Photo from: Britannica.com