The tack is the most important part. Well fitted in good condition. Especially if you’re a beginner.
Pick a calm older well trained horse, don’t be getting on the 3 year old bareback.
Ride the horse in an enclosed arena for the first time.
Be happy starting at the walk, learn to walk first. Give yourself 2 or 3 weeks just learning to walk on the horse.
Have the tack adjusted to you, the saddle in the correct position, the stirrups the correct length, the reigns long enough so you can sit in the right position.
Your legs have to hug the horse, not dangle, because if you kick the horse from your dangling legs it scares the horse, that’s why a lot of horses bolt forward, because they feel this kick out of no where.
You can always use a stepping stool to get on you don’t have to get on with the stirrup.
Always hold the reigns, I’ve seen people be cocky and drop the reigns and the horse will go buck wild and throw them off. And they’ll be black and blue.
Don’t sit with your legs way forward and out, like you’re leaning back in a lazy boy, you’re, not, your sitting on a big animal so sit up and pay attention. Keep your feet in the stirrups don’t sit there with your feet dangling like you’re sitting in a porch swing.
If you need someone to help you at first and lead you around there’s nothing wrong with that, you don’t have to prove anything to anybody, baby steps is the best way to learn stuff.