Learn Horseback Riding — Articles & Video Lessons
Horseback riding training from beginner to advanced: Chaharnal's articles and video lessons on riding fundamentals, seat and balance, dressage and show jumping.
Start here
New to riding? Start with the fundamentals — seat, balance and rein aids — then work through discipline-specific training in dressage and show jumping. Every video lesson carries a full transcript.
Riding Technique & Training
- Christoph Hess's simple exercise for collection while maintaining forwardness
- Three 10-minute exercises with two poles to strengthen the horse from the ground
- Three core exercises for riders recommended by a spine surgeon
- Joe Stockdale's suggested jumping exercise for improving the horse's straightness and balance
- Turn limitations into opportunities.
- A simple exercise of transferring steps to improve the horse's balance and responsiveness
- Flexibility, collection, and responsiveness of the horse with a sequence of 10-meter circles
- Improve the balance and obedience of the horse with simple walk and rein-back exercises.
- With Ashki training, teach your horse Chaharnal opposition.
- How lowering the heel too much damages jumping posture
- Principled planning for the readiness and fitness of horses
- Safe and reliable gallop training in horseback riding
- 4 exercises to relieve body stiffness and improve riding
- Paul Blazík about working with lateral movements
- Four tips from the show jumping lesson with Hannah Sue Hollberg
- How can we prevent a horse from rushing in jumping?
- How to fix the seat position in the saddle
- A three-stage system for improving riding in any discipline
- Five exercises from Marcia Kulak for using cavaletti
- Three-Part Rule: How to Manage Your Horse’s Body in Motion
- Developing body awareness to improve riding
- The importance of using the leg before the hand in riding
- How staying away from the mobile phone increases focus in riding
- Tips for increasing horses' confidence when facing ditches
- Flying changes: definition, how to ride them, and training the horse
- Training the horse to perform the trot correctly and improve transitions with lateral movement exercises
Dressage
- یک اسب خوب درساژ چه ویژگیهایی دارد؟
- A three-second solution for putting the bridle on a horse
- How to ride flying changes better in dressage; with advice from Becky Moody
- What are flying changes, how should they be ridden, and how should they be taught to a horse
- How to execute a complete flying change
- Harry Boldt – A tribute to a legend
- Review of Paul Belasik's new book on the "Long and Low" method in modern dressage
- Educational clinic with Helen Langehanenberg, multiple medal winner for Germany
- Christoph Hess: Dressage is harmony and balance
- Review of the 2025 WBFSH breed rankings by Christopher Hector
- Dressage rules, anti-rules, and magical tools
- How does Becky Moody turn Jagerbomb into a dressage champion?
Show Jumping
- ویژگیهای یک اسب خوب پرش با اسب چیست؟
- Gymnastics brought the Thoroughbred horse "Even Better" to the Grand Prize.
- 5 training tips from Bliss Heers, show jumping rider
- Show jumping training with Boyd and “Bali”
- A basic grade for all seasons
- Frank Rothenberger: The course designer must have his own personal signature; see what he has in store for the World Championships
- 8 tips for starting show jumping in young horses
Eventing
- A key secret in jumping and eventing: everything comes down to the ability to adjust the stride.
- Proper training for jumping out of the corner of an obstacle
- Before trail riding: the best way to warm up and cool down horses
Video lessons
- Preliminary lunge
- Common mistakes in bandaging a horse that you should know!
- How to easily mount a horse?
- Important points about horse stable management
- Principles of Care and Grooming of Horse {Part Two}
- Controlling the horse in the stable
- With these methods, your horse will always stay clean!
- 5 important tips for horse hoof care
- 5 important tips for easy saddling
Frequently asked questions about learning to ride
How do beginners start horseback riding?
Start with supervised lessons at a licensed riding club: learn mounting, a balanced seat and basic rein aids on a calm school horse before riding independently. Chaharnal's beginner articles and video lessons cover each step.
What age can children start riding?
Most Iranian clubs accept children from around age seven for pony or lead-line lessons; younger children ride only with a leader. Ask the club for its own minimum age and safety equipment rules.
What should I wear to a first riding lesson?
Long trousers, boots with a small heel and a properly fitted riding helmet — most clubs lend helmets for the first sessions. Avoid loose clothing and slick-soled shoes.