Tuesday, December 17, 2013

Horseback Riding Long Island Trails Is Fantastic Experience

By Cornelia White


Tourists and permanent residents alike love the horseback riding long island has to offer. Trails meander past fields and forested land. Take your mount from a walk to a trot, then on to a canter if you have the experience to do so.

Amateur and old hand alike enjoy lessons. Whether you ride Western or English, it is always good to build on your present horsemanship skills. The Western saddle is large compared to the English. The bridles differ also. English uses two sets of reins and Western only one.

A person riding western style holds both reins in the left hand. The English double reins are held in both hands. Everyone mounts the horse from the left hand side.

For the individual who wants to take lessons year round, there are stables with indoor arenas. Kids love the summer camps. They will spend days with the same equine friend. Brushing, combing, saddling and putting on the bridle are all part of the learning experience.

Helmets are mandatory and skills are acquired in a fenced arena before they take to the trails. Everyone loves the horses and all the activities associated with caring for them. They learn to control the animal. Each must have permission before galloping the horse.

Older riders with a romantic interest in each other can find a place that offers rides along on the beach. The smell of salt water and the panoramic views of the ocean add to the enjoyment. How thrilling to canter through the sand or watch the sun set from the back of a magnificent horse.

When it grows dark, people can still pursue their equestrian fun. A large stable is likely to have an indoor arena with lights. Ride the circle or oval on a soft floor of sand and fiber. This provides a good surface suited to the horses.

A riding academy may have a seating area to allow families to watch as children are schooled in horsemanship skills. Some maintain bleachers near the outdoor ring as well. People can chat as they watch the riding and perhaps have a drink on a hot day.

Some academies have snacks for sale after an hour of riding. Riders can refresh themselves with a cool drink and talk about what occurred out on the trail. Some sell clothing, tack and grooming aids. This adds to the enjoyment of the equestrian experience.

When the ride takes people through the Bethpage State Park, there are 1,476 acres of trails and open spaces to enjoy. See a hawk flying overhead as the trail takes the group past a golf course and panoramic vistas.

A day on horseback gives an individual a sense of what it must have been like in the old west. Cowboys herded their cattle out on the plains. Being on horseback was not a recreational activity for them. It was their job.

A few breeds can be trained to perform the intricate steps of dressage, a kind of equine ballet. This follows years of practice as horse and rider learn this performance art. The horseback riding long island is a fine introduction to the wonderful world of horses.




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