I found an article that addresses some of the reasons you might want to start riding horses, and wanted to share it. For me (Webmaster at Freeman Ranch and Stables), as a person with MS, I thought I’d like to start riding, as I noticed that Ann Romney also loves to ride and finds it therapeutic to help with her MS. So I’ve inquired about taking some lessons with Dev at Freeman Ranch in Katy and it’s surprisingly affordable.

As you can see from the article, there’s all sorts of reasons one might want to take lessons. In addition to exploring the outdoors and getting some exercise, it teaches discipline (parents take note) and is a pleasant way to socialize.

Horse Riding – 5 Reasons You Should Take Up Horse Riding Lessons

How many outdoor activities offer you the opportunity to bond with an animal? Move the same pace with it. Riding a horse gives you the opportunity not only to care for the animal but also let the animal take you places you would normally not go because of the distance or gear limitations. Here are 5 reasons why you should take up horse riding lessons.

1. Horse riding lessons are a great way to keep fit and healthy. Regularly riding a horse works out your heart and lungs making an amazing cardiovascular workout. The activity is also a great way to enhance good posture, muscle strength, motor skills and coordination. Horse riding lessons will introduce you to the liberating and confidence building endeavour of riding horses. It is a total mind and body workout while having a great time.

2. A great way to explore the outdoors. Riding a horse will take you back to nature. Vast countryside, and terrain that where you will find the outmost form of relaxation. Horse riding lessons are a relaxed kind of learning less the initial competitive aspects commonly found in outdoor recreational activities. As the horse is an essential in this activity, you will also learn to develop an affinity, a connection to the animal as your partner. Caring for your horse is also a form of learning that brings you back to the simplest form of caring for nature and its elements.

3. Discover a passion that will change your profession. Horse riding can open a diverse array of opportunities that you may be interested in. As you progress through your lessons, you may discover and develop a passion for these majestic steeds and open doors to show jumping, horse breeding and even opening your own stables and provide lessons yourself.

4. Learning to ride a horse is an amazing activity where anyone can learn and develop responsibility and discipline. Beyond riding skills and safety procedures, attitude plays a major role when riding a horse. A proper attitude and demeanour is learned by emphasizing the responsibilities as a rider and as the horse’s caretaker.

5. Riding horses is a great social activity. It gets you acquainted with different kinds of interesting people who are also into the same hobby. It is an activity that tends to bring people closer as they share their own horse riding stories. It’s also a social activity with different kinds of horses, breed, colour, skill and riding mastery.

Riding horses has been part of everyone’s childhood dreams. The freedom, the prestige and the adventure of riding horses is what cowboy dreams and princess tales are made of. It’s never too early or too late to take horse riding lessons and bring your youngest dreams to a galloping reality.

Hannah McEwen is a lover of horse riding. She is also an experienced writer and enjoys sharing information and tips on horse riding with other like-minded people. Hannah McEwen has experienced and tried horse riding all around Australia and recommends anyone interested in riding a horse to give it a go!!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Hannah_McEwen
http://EzineArticles.com/?Horse-Riding—5-Reasons-You-Should-Take-Up-Horse-Riding-Lessons&id=6557875

Dev Branham now expands his service offerings at Freeman Ranch and Stables, serving Katy Texas, Houston, Cypress, Tomball and surrounding areas.

People wanting to learn to ride a horse can now take lessons from Branham or an assistant and can learn on one of Branham’s numerous training horses. Those taking lessons do not have to own their own horse, but can use their own if they choose to. According to Derek Freeman, owner and founder of Freeman Ranch and Stables, “riders can learn beginner horse riding lessons, which can include basic groundwork, horsemanship, and horse care. Dev can teach everything from how to get ready and get saddled up, to hunter jumper and dressage. You don’t even have to have your own horse to get started.”

This expansion of horse riding opportunities provides a way for horse riders to learn from a celebrated horse trainer, and board horses at what Branham calls “a beautiful and superbly run facility.”

Freeman Ranch is situated on over 900 acres of land for riding, and features a hot walker, two lighted arenas (one is covered), a hot walker, round pen, daily turn out (individual or group), a fly spray system, automatic waterers in stalls and turnout paddock, a wash rack with hot and cold water, clean restrooms with shower, and spacious tack rooms.

Rates are available by calling 713.416.7792.

Branham continues to provide training on a competitive level. His career began early, growing up working at his parents’ training stable, whil working closely with hunter jumper trainer Shane George. In recent years among Branham’s credits are multiple USEF “A” and “AA” rated championships, high Medal/Maclay placings, GHHJA Year End Champions, USEF Jumper classic wins, and an AQHYA World Show champion in Jumping.

Now at Freeman Ranch, Branham makes his services available to the Katy area. According to Branham, “Beginner lessons are designed to introduce new riders to the skills and techniques needed to become better riders and horsemen.  Lessons may be given privately or in groups of 2 and last from 45 minutes to an hour. Intermediate to advanced lessons will include flat work, dressage, equitation and style exercises, strength building, and jumping.  If jumping is not possible, additional work on the flat, riding technique, and horsemanship will take place.”

Working with Branham also affords the chance to show horses. According to Branham: “Throughout the year we will attend various horse shows. While the most important expectation at shows is that you have fun with your horse and your friends, there are a few other expectations that are in place to keep the experience safe and running smoothly. Unless otherwise provided for in your fees for the show, it is expected of you to provide continual care for your horse (which may include feeding and stall cleaning).  Furthermore, it will be expected of you to have your horse and yourself show prepped (which means spotless) and ready to school/compete in a timely manner.”

Call 713.416.7792 or visit freemanranchandstables.com to learn more about all the horse riding opportunities with Dev Branham at Freeman Ranch and Stables.

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Derek Freeman discusses different types of hay that are prevalent in Texas, and why fall is the best season for his ranch that grows Jiggs Bermuda. Also he knows what horses like, having been raised around horses and now the owner of a beloved ranch in Katy Texas: Freeman Ranch and Stables. He also talks about the drought and why recent rain has brought back good hay for the fall.

Dev has spent his lifetime working with horses, having grown up immersed in his parents’, Don and Terry Branham, training stable.

During his grade school years he actively competed in the USEF “A” and AQHA show circuits on his jumper Dash and many of his parents’ sales horses, working closely along the way with H/J trainer Shane George.

After graduating from TCU in 2004 with a BS in Psychology, Dev began his professional training career in Beaumont, TX working with his parents. During this time Dev soaked in his parents’ 50 combined years of horsemanship knowledge, learning the skills and attention to detail necessary to run a successful show barn.

In addition to his parents’ knowledge, he worked closely with Janet Christie whose vast knowledge and excellent teaching style further developed Dev as a trainer and instructor. When Hurricane Rita came and ousted him from Beaumont, Dev relocated in Brenham, working out of the beautiful Southwind Farms. While at Southwind Dev continued to develop horses and riders competing on the local Houston and THJA “A” show circuits. Also during his tenure at Southwind he actively participated in the Independence Foxhounds Hunt, riding young hunt horses and sometimes leading second field. In May of 2007 Dev opened Devereaux Sporthorses in Tomball in order to focus more on developing a competitive string of “A” show horses and riders.

The last few years have proved very successful for DSH, with multiple USEF “A” and “AA” rated championships, high Medal/Maclay placings, GHHJA Year End Champions, USEF Jumper classic wins, and an AQHYA World Show champion in Jumping.  Dev is very excited about the new relationship with Freeman Ranch and the opportunity to expand DSH’s success into the Katy equine market through this beautiful and superbly run facility.

For more information see our horse training page. To reach Dev call 1-409-893-1815 or
E-mail devereauxtcu@yahoo.com

Some people will do anything to try and ride a horse.