What specific riding form techniques do instructors teach guests before heading out on the trail? 

Posted on Posted in FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions, Home Tagged with , ,

Qucikly, it’s the mounting and dismounting of the horse, hand placement with reins, your seat in the saddle and posture, your foot and heel position, maintaining proper distancing, and keeping a calm behavior and breathing.

At KOLI Equestrian Center in Chandler, Arizona, the pre-ride orientation is designed to get riders of all experience levels—especially absolute beginners—comfortable and confident before heading out into the Gila River Indian Reservation.

Because KOLI is famous for its unique “spread-out” trail format (where riders travel side-by-side rather than nose-to-tail in a rigid, single-file line), mastering basic control and communication with your horse is essential. Before you head out, the wranglers teach several core Western riding form techniques:

1. Mounting and Dismounting (With Minimal Assistance)

KOLI requires that all riders are physically capable of managing their own weight to mount and dismount with minimal assistance.

  • The Technique: You will be taught to approach the horse from the left side (the traditional side for Western riding), place your left foot securely in the stirrup, hold the reins and the saddle horn for balance, and smoothly swing your right leg over the horse’s back without poking them.

2. Hand Placement and Reining

Because these are Western trail horses, you will be using Western tack and a specific style of guiding.

  • The Technique: Wranglers will demonstrate how to hold the reins properly in a relaxed but secure grip. They will show you how to use neck reining or basic direct reining to steer, and how to gently pull back toward your waist to ask the horse to stop. A major rule emphasized during the talk: no selfie sticks or loose phones in hand, as your hands need to be free to handle the reins, and sudden movements can spook the horses.

3. Sitting Deep in the Saddle & Posture

The terrain of the Sonoran Desert includes uneven trails and ground-burrowing animal holes, which means a stable seat is key.

  • The Technique: Instructors teach you to sit deep in the center of the saddle, keeping your spine straight but relaxed. A stiff posture transfers tension to the horse, while a flexible, deep seat allows your body to absorb the natural sway of the horse’s walk. You’ll be instructed to keep your weight balanced evenly over the stirrups.

4. Foot and Heel Position

Proper foot placement keeps you secure and prevents accidents.

  • The Technique: You will be instructed to place the ball of your foot on the stirrup tread (not pushing your foot all the way through) and to keep your heels pointed downward. Keeping your heels down acts as a natural anchor, ensuring that if the horse makes a sudden movement, your feet won’t slip out of or get trapped in the stirrups. (This is also why KOLI strictly requires closed-toe shoes and boots with a heel no higher than 1 inch).

5. Maintaining Distance (Trail Etiquette)

Because KOLI allows groups to spread out rather than walk nose-to-tail, maintaining a safe spatial awareness is a heavily emphasized technique.

  • The Technique: Wranglers will teach you how to actively manage your horse’s pacing to keep a safe distance from other horses. You’ll learn to look ahead at the terrain, anticipate changes in the trail, and use subtle rein adjustments to keep your horse from crowding others, which prevents defensive nipping or kicking.

6. Calming Energy and Breathing

Horses are highly intuitive prey animals that mirror human emotion.

  • The Technique: If a rider is tense or holding their breath, the horse will sense a threat. The wranglers encourage riders to take deep, relaxed breaths and maintain a calm, conversational volume. Relaxing your own body signals to your horse that everything is safe on the trail.

Want to dive deeper? For guests who want to go beyond the quick pre-ride talk, KOLI offers an extended “Horsemanship 101” (or Horses 101 for kids) session. This is a dedicated, hands-on class in a safe, confined arena environment where you learn everything about horse behavior, grooming, the mechanics of the saddle, and advanced riding form before ever hitting the trail.

These techiques can be used in most western horseback riding to ensure you have a safe and comfortable experience.

Related Posts