- Your mom tells you to clean your room and you give her an attitude about it, right? Well, when your horse is being stubborn then that's basically what your horse is doing to you. Make sure your horse knows that you're the boss!
- If you have a lunging whip and it's colors like black, gray, brown, etc. then your horse won't be as afraid of it as if it were brighter colors such as blue, red, green, etc. This is because horses are colorblind which means they only see colors in black and white. If you take a black and white photograph of a black whip and a blue whip then you'll be able to see the difference because the blue whip will stand out more. So, if your horse is afraid of the whip and it's a brighter color then try using a different whip that is black, brown, gray, etc.
- Don't try to fix something that ain't broken (This is a saying that can be very important. You'll know what it means when the time is right.)
- If you want to go in a certain direction, look in that direction. When you turn your head to look in that direction, it turns your body that way also, therefore giving your horse the command to go in that direction.
- You are the boss and control where and when your horse needs to go in a certain direction. My horse enjoys stopping at the fence, so he'll hesitate and stop at the fence. Don't let your horse do this. If your horse does this like mine does and you know it, before that certain area that your horse likes to stop at put a little extra 'Oomph' into it so your horse will keep going. After a while of doing this you shouldn't have this problem anymore.
- When you're in two-point position then don't lean on your horse's neck!
- Don't play around with your horse. When you're riding, you don't fool around or ride sloppy. That is a perfect example of the worst rider.
- If your horse breaks out in hives like Shiloh did, just give your horse 10 tablets of Benadril. Then give him 10 more tablets the next day, but only if he needs it. This will clear the hives right up. Some horses hate taking medicine, so for Benadril just let it soak in water for a few minutes and then mix it in with your horse's grain.
- Jam your heels down! Jamming your heels down in your irons (irons and stirrups are the same exact thing) will help you a lot when riding whether it's English or Western.
- Always wear a helmet even if you're an adult because it protects your head when you fall off. Though adults have the right to not wear a helmet, it is mandatory to wear it in shows yes, but be sure to wear a helmet whether you're an adult or not when you're on the trails! There are branches everywhere, hills, other animals (deer, birds, bugs, etc.), and so much more. You never know what's going to happen out on the trails so be sure to wear your helmet.
I know it's only 3 tips, but they'll help you a lot.
My friend has given me 3 more great tips which I will post right here. She gave me the tips and I edited them a little bit, and so here they are:
- Lean slightly forward and put the weight in your heels when barrel racing. This encourages your horse to bend whilst keeping a hard-to-compete-for speed.
- When riding English, it is important that your horse is always listening to you. You should maintain a correct rein contact which is short enough to get your horse to turn his head, but long enough that they have a little free rein and you can bend your elbows.
- In any riding - whether it be English, Western, Bareback, ect. - it is very important that you keep your elbows in. If they're flapping around, you have more of a chance of falling off, and also you won't be getting your horse on-the-bit. Your horse won't even be listening to you. It is important to keep their heads up and your elbows in, though some horses like to keep their heads low as it keeps them balanced.
Equitation - All about the rider.
Horsemanship - All about the horse.
Showmanship - All about the horse and the rider.
Halter Class - Basically just leading the horse.
Hunters - Hunters are all about perfection.
Jumpers - Jumpers are all about speed. If you're a jumper, nobody cares if you're sloppy or not as long as you clear the jumps in the fastest time possible.
Jumper Jumps - Jumps that jumpers have are made.
Hunter Jumps - Jumps that hunters have are all natural.

Here are a few types of jumps:
Cross Rail
Liverpool (A.K.A. Water Jump)
Vertical
Gate
Oxer
Swedish Oxer