Ideas and inspiration to enjoy riding in Japan—trekking, scenery, and experiences beyond the arena.
February 14th is Valentine’s Day. In some countries, people might send flowers to their partners or express gratitude from men to women in various ways. In Japan, women traditionally give chocolates, but are your gift chocolates already decided? In this article, we introduce charming ‘horse-themed’ chocolates that are perfect not only as genuine gifts for … Read more
Enhancing your riding skills can involve various strategies, such as accumulating riding experience by practicing with different saddles, improving your balance, and increasing your flexibility. Among these, flexibility is often said to be higher in children than in adults, which contributes to faster progress in horse riding. As we age, flexibility gradually diminishes. This decline … Read more
Winter has arrived with colder temperatures. How do you enjoy horseback riding during this season? Because of the cold, many people may hesitate to go outside or find it hard to move, leading some to cancel their riding lessons. However, winter offers unique ways to enjoy horseback riding, and missing out because of the cold … Read more
Horseback riding seems to have a relatively small number of enthusiasts, making it difficult to find specialized books at general bookstores. However, among riders, there are those who want to read about horses even when they are at home, or those seeking tips to improve their riding skills. In this article, we introduce a selection … Read more
As you age, your metabolism tends to slow down compared to your younger days, making it harder to lose weight. Many people find that they could easily shed pounds with just a little exercise when they were younger, even if they overindulged in food. If you’re struggling to lose weight despite your efforts, horseback riding … Read more
As you continue riding lessons, you’ll gradually start tackling more challenging skills. But sometimes, repeated failures or lack of progress can dampen your motivation… So, how do riders break out of slumps? Here are some effective strategies! Watch Expert Videos and Lessons In any discipline, ‘learning by watching’ is incredibly important. When you struggle to … Read more
Have you ever felt that «being afraid of falling off» is unsettling during horse riding, especially as your skills progress from leading and walking to trotting, cantering, and jumping? This article explains key points to help you conquer that fear. Let’s consider the causes of falling from a few perspectives: environment, horse temperament, and rider’s … Read more
As you progress in learning horseback riding, you’ll purchase various riding equipment suitable for your skill level, including spurs. However, honestly, you can control the horse’s leg aids without spurs. Moreover, because spurs are tools that can accelerate the horse’s movement and are somewhat advanced for beginners, some may hesitate to use them. After riding … Read more
Certifying Organizations for Horse Riding Licenses Japan Equestrian Federation The Japan Equestrian Federation offers the Riding Skills Certification Test, which verifies a rider’s technical ability. There are generally Grades 1 to 5. While British riding is dominant in Japan, the Federation also offers Western riding skill certifications, which is a unique feature. National Horse Riding … Read more
Many people see the impressive sight of thoroughbreds in competition, as they are highly popular in the racing world. They are not only loved by jockey fans but also by horse enthusiasts. Among various horse breeds, thoroughbreds are often regarded as having the best physique. If you are learning horseback riding, you might want to … Read more
