| For the equestrian rider, horseback riding or | | | | the World Equestrian Games. It is also hoped that |
| equestrianism, is outlined as the practice of riding | | | | reining will be included in the 2012 Olympics. English |
| on horseback. This refers to the skill of riding or | | | | riding is an equestrian discipline with many |
| driving horses/ponies (the equine). Horses are | | | | different styles and the horse wear such as tack |
| ridden for practical working purposes as well as | | | | and saddle equestrian are distinctly different, |
| for therapeutic purposes. They are also used in | | | | definitely a lot stricter with regards to what is |
| competitive sports and recreational activities. | | | | expected. However, at the most basic level, most |
| Horses are often domesticated and are used as | | | | versions require an equestrian rider to use both |
| working animals. They are used by the police, | | | | hands on the reins, rather than just one hand, as |
| farmers to pull carts, a form of travel and even | | | | is seen in western riding. |
| entertainment purposes such as sport or on a | | | | Horseback riding was often used for farm work, |
| circus. Many techniques are used for training a | | | | transport and unfortunately even warfare. Now |
| pony, dependent on what the pony will be used | | | | however, it is being used by licensed medical pros |
| for. | | | | to treat different incapacities, may it be physical, |
| Horses are also used in many specific ways. They | | | | emotional, social or cognitive. |
| are now fully integrated in competitive sports like | | | | People who have emotional, social or mental |
| show jumping, equestrian driving, endurance riding, | | | | incapacity learn how to build a relationship by |
| rodeo amongst others. They are also part of | | | | interacting with horses. The trust and faithfulness |
| more recreational activities like fox hunting or | | | | that these horses demonstrate, are a catalyst in |
| hacking and have been so for many hundreds of | | | | the individuals recovery, allowing them to grow |
| years. | | | | this trust to become a more developed part of |
| There are many varieties of horseback riding, but | | | | their characteristic . |
| the two most popular in the world today are | | | | It is important for the would be equestrian rider |
| English riding and Western riding. Already well | | | | to develop a bond and an understanding with the |
| established in America, Western Riding is fast | | | | horse first, as the removal of any fear |
| taking the World by storm. One of its most | | | | beforehand is essential in the prevention of any |
| crowd pleasing disciplines, the fast and exciting | | | | possible future problems such as kick outs. |
| reining, is now approved by the FEI and included in | | | | |