New to Riding? Here’s How to Start
Every rider starts somewhere. Programs like Learn to Ride, combined with MRT physical prep, give beginners the skills and confidence to build real harmony in the saddle.
The Horse World Can Feel Out of Reach — But It Doesn’t Have to Be
If you’ve ever dreamed of learning to ride but didn’t grow up around horses, you’re not alone. The equestrian world can seem exclusive, almost secretive, especially if you weren’t raised on a farm, don’t own riding gear, or have never set foot in a barn. Many people feel the pull to ride later in life but don’t know how to start. Others assume you have to be rich, athletic, or born into the lifestyle. None of that is true.
In reality, riding is a learnable skill, just like learning a language, learning to swim, or picking up martial arts. It’s physical, yes, but it’s also deeply emotional, sensory, and even spiritual. Riding teaches you how to communicate with a powerful animal, how to read body language, and how to regulate your own energy in the face of challenge. And like any complex skill, having the right starting point is everything.
That’s where structured programs like Ontario Equestrian’s Learn to Ride levels, and foundational physical preparation like the MRT Method, can transform your riding journey from intimidating to empowering.
Why People Are Drawn to Riding (and What the Research Says)
There’s a reason so many adults, teens, and even children are drawn to horses. Riding isn’t just a hobby, it activates parts of the brain and body that few other activities touch.
Physically, riding improves:
Posture and spinal alignment through constant micro-adjustments while riding
Balance and coordination by engaging your vestibular system (inner ear), proprioceptors (body awareness), and core stabilizers
Strength and endurance especially in the hips, glutes, thighs, and abdominal muscles
Flexibility particularly in the hip flexors and lower back
A 2015 study in Annals of Rehabilitation Medicine found that therapeutic horseback riding improved balance, gait, and quality of life for stroke patients. Another study in NeuroRehabilitation showed enhanced trunk stability and postural control after just a few weeks of riding.
Mentally and emotionally, riding supports:
Stress relief and nervous system regulation through rhythmic movement and nature exposure
Confidence and self-efficacy by teaching a non-verbal dialogue with a 1,200 lb animal
Emotional resilience by building courage, patience, and responsibility over time
Riders often report feeling calmer, more grounded, and more focused after riding—even when the physical effort is high. These effects are backed by research in equine-assisted therapy, which shows improvements in everything from anxiety and depression to executive functioning.
But to experience these benefits, riders need a safe and supportive entry point. This is why programs like Learn to Ride, and preparation tools like MRT, are crucial.
An instructor helps a new rider position their leg correctly—a key step for safety, balance, and effective riding posture.
What Is the Learn to Ride Program?
Ontario Equestrian’s Learn to Ride program is a nationally recognized, step-by-step certification system that teaches you how to handle, tack up, and ride a horse safely. It’s perfect for beginners because it focuses on:
Foundational riding skills (mounting, steering, stopping, posting trot)
Horse handling and barn safety
Communication and understanding horse behaviour
Progressive levels so you can move at your own pace and feel a sense of accomplishment
It gives structure to what can otherwise feel like a mysterious or overwhelming sport. It also builds your credibility: barn owners and coaches recognize the Learn to Ride levels and can support your progress with clear expectations.
Where Most Beginners Struggle (And Why MRT Was Designed to Help)
While Learn to Ride gives you a roadmap, most adult beginners face one big problem: their body isn’t ready.
Riding requires strength, balance, coordination, and control that many new riders haven’t developed, especially if they’ve lived a mostly sedentary life, spent years at a desk, or haven’t trained their core or hips. Here’s what typically happens:
You mount the horse and feel unstable
You’re told to “relax,” but your joints feel stiff and your lower back aches
Your legs bounce or swing instead of anchoring
You get sore after every ride and lose confidence
This is where the MRT Method (Move. Ride. Thrive.) comes in. It prepares you off the horse so that when you ride, you feel stronger, more secure, and less overwhelmed.
Confidence starts with guidance. With support on the ground and a calm introduction to riding, beginners of all ages can develop balance, trust, and joy in the saddle.
How MRT Supports Brand-New Riders
MRT is a fitness and movement method specifically designed for equestrians—but it’s especially powerful for beginners. It acts as a bridge between interest and readiness. Here’s how:
1. Rider-Specific Conditioning
MRT targets your core, hips, shoulders, and thighs using functional, sport-specific movements. You’ll build the kind of stability and strength that makes riding feel smoother and more natural.
2. Balance and Coordination Training
Through mobility drills, balance challenges, and proprioceptive work, MRT helps you develop the control needed to stay aligned in the saddle, even at the trot or canter.
3. Posture Awareness and Alignment
Good riding posture doesn’t come from “sitting up straight”—it comes from training your body to stack your head, ribcage, pelvis, and hips. MRT rewires this from the ground up.
4. Mindset and Confidence Building
New riders often face fear, anxiety, or “imposter syndrome.” MRT’s mindset components build identity, intention, and confidence, so you don’t just feel fit, you feel ready.
5. Energy and Injury Management
With MRT, you reduce the likelihood of soreness, fatigue, or injury from your first few rides. You learn how to warm up, cool down, and recover, like a true athlete.
How to Get Into Riding: Step-by-Step Guide for Total Beginners
If you're inspired but still unsure how to get started, here’s a step-by-step roadmap, even if you don’t own a horse or have any experience yet:
1. Find a Certified Riding Facility
Look for an equestrian centre that is certified by your provincial federation (e.g., Ontario Equestrian). These barns follow proper safety protocols and are experienced in teaching beginners. Use the Ontario Equestrian Facility Finder to find one near you.
2. Book an Introductory Lesson or Learn to Ride Program
Contact the barn and ask about beginner-friendly lesson options. Many offer Learn to Ride packages or private introductory sessions that follow Level 1 curriculum. You don’t need to commit long-term to start.
3. Wear Comfortable, Safe Clothing
You don’t need to invest in gear right away. Wear:
Leggings or athletic pants (no jeans)
A fitted, breathable shirt
A boot with a small heel (no running shoes). Helmets are usually provided by the barn.
4. Begin MRT to Build Strength and Confidence
Starting MRT even 2–3x a week at home will prepare your body to ride. You’ll feel more balanced, flexible, and in control when you do mount up. This reduces nervousness and helps you progress faster.
5. Track Your Progress and Stay Consistent
Every milestone matters, your first mounting block, first trot, or simply riding without tension. Track your wins, reflect on your body’s progress through MRT, and give yourself credit for learning something truly powerful.
Every journey starts with guidance. With the right instructor, the right horse, and a plan like MRT, even the most uncertain beginner can become a confident rider.
What If You're Not Ready to Book a Lesson Yet?
That’s okay. You can start with MRT alone. Even before you enter a barn, MRT will help you build the strength, awareness, and confidence needed to take that first step into the horse world. Think of it as physical and mental groundwork, your body’s own version of learning to tack up before you ride.
Ready to Ride? Here's What to Do Next:
Use the facility finder to locate a beginner-friendly barn
Start MRT today through a guide, bootcamp, or class
Book a lesson and show up stronger, calmer, and more confident
Stay the course—because mastery comes from consistency, not perfection
You don’t need a horse, a trailer, or a lifelong background in riding to start this journey. You just need the right preparation—and the belief that this path is for you.