Riding horses and skis are very similar activities, balance in motion – and both are often done with significant speed, especially if you have some serious experience.
However, I’ve tried to get friends who do well with one to translate to the other with varying degrees of success. Despite coaching, often they don’t think it’s an easy transition.
Coloradoan Julie Goodnight https://signin.juliegoodnight.com/ who inspires many of my horseback riding teaching techniques does both – and rides a variety of disciplines. Here are some tips from me, a skier for 40 years and a rider for more than 60….
- Be aware of everything going on around you. Whether it’s inexperienced skiers or horseback riders coming up behind or beside you, be aware and prepared to take defensive action at any time.
- Use the terrain to your advantage. Never go faster than a walk downhill on a horse until you’re a very advanced rider. Turn uphill if you’re going too fast on skis and let gravity stop or slow you.
- Sink to stop. Sinking your weight into your seat slows both horses and skis.
- Control the speed. If you’re going too fast, stop, get your position together and regain control.
- Balance your weight. Riding, keep your weight balanced over your horse’s center. Skiing, keep your weight balanced over your skis.
- Flex your legs. Legs are never straight. Bend your knees. Shins forward against the front of the ski boots. When you’re riding, ankles are flexed down so your heel is below the ball of your foot in your stirrup.
- Straight back. Lift your chest. Shoulders curled forward or chin dropped throws your weight forward and screws up your balance.
- The faster horse or skier should be in the front. Overtaking another skier or rider from the rear is dangerous.
- Leave space between the skier or horeback rider in front or beside you. At least 15 feet is a good safe distance for both.
- Stay relaxed and flexible. Your core is working constantly whether riding or skiing. Remember to breathe. Sing or hum if you’re nervous – it forces you to breathe!
Ski and Ride Safely!
Of course, always wear a helmet in either sport. No matter how good you are at either sport, speed and height create danger. Concussion damage is cumulative! Make sure you can only get two fingers between the strap and your chin, so that it’s effective.
If you haven’t replaced your helmet in a few years do. Be sure to get one that says MIPS – Multi-Impact-Positioning. Evidently old helmets just protected concussion from certain directions, not all.
To learn more, book a First Farm Inn horseback riding session. Call 859-586-0199 to schedule. Just like skiing, horseback riding can be comfortable in the winter if you dress appropriately for it. Ground conditions must be safe for the horses to walk on.
