Equine sports are all about co-operation and co-ordination between horse and rider. The rider can control the horse by using hand signals through the reins, various leg signals and by vocal commands.

There are a number of disciplines in equine sports. The two best known are dressage and show jumping. Dressage is the art of having the horse move in certain ways and to obey the rider’s commands, and the judges observe that way in which horse and rider function as a team. Show jumping requires the horse and rider to complete a course with jumps in the shortest possible time and without incurring penalty points. There are many riding centres where one can learn to ride and care for horses. Beginners can join a riding course with an instructor at an appropriate facility. Horse riding in the free is also a popular pastime.