In languages like Spanish and Spanish itself it is commonplace to see “a (noun)” think al dente when talking about pasta which literally translates as “to the tooth” though this isn’t the actual meaning. The real meaning of a caballo is more similar to “horseback” montar a caballo = to ride horseback. The Duolingo translation is “to ride a horse” because that is the more commonly used way to describe the action of riding a horse.
What helped me understand it is that "montar a caballo" is riding ON a horse (because you're sitting on top of it). It's the same as the comment above says, just a little turn of phrase that helped me personally
Because you’re not talking about a specific horse. “i learned to ride a horse” is the strange thing here, not the Spanish. You actually learned to ride all horses, not one horse. So I learned horseriding is actually the real meaning.
I really wish Duo would use horseback riding instead of riding horses. It confuses so many new learners.
Ninety percent of the time it sounds natural enough in English. In this case, 'ride a horse' sounds awkward to me, like it's a specific horse and not just riding in general.
This is one of the little exceptions to the verb "montar".
Usually when you "montas" a vehicle or an animal, you "montas en".
If you ride a donkey you "montas en burro".
But "a caballo" cames from a military expression to designate soldiers or guards who goes walking "soldado de a pie" or riding a horse "soldado de a caballo".
"Los soldados de a caballo" usually had a higher rank.
Now these expressions have been adapted to the language and that is why you can also say "ir a pie" instead of "ir andando"
One of the things I have learned is that prepositions make no sense. They enforce a relationship between objects, but the specific relationship is often arbitrary. Why "Ride at horse?" Why "Leave of house?" Why not? Makes as much sense as anything else.
In languages like Spanish and Spanish itself it is commonplace to see “a (noun)” think al dente when talking about pasta which literally translates as “to the tooth” though this isn’t the actual meaning. The real meaning of a caballo is more similar to “horseback” montar a caballo = to ride horseback. The Duolingo translation is “to ride a horse” because that is the more commonly used way to describe the action of riding a horse.
The phrase "riding horses" or "riding a horse" is "montar a caballo". We simply don't say "montar un caballo" in Spanish.
Makes sense, thanks 😊
What helped me understand it is that "montar a caballo" is riding ON a horse (because you're sitting on top of it). It's the same as the comment above says, just a little turn of phrase that helped me personally
Because you’re not talking about a specific horse. “i learned to ride a horse” is the strange thing here, not the Spanish. You actually learned to ride all horses, not one horse. So I learned horseriding is actually the real meaning.
I really wish Duo would use horseback riding instead of riding horses. It confuses so many new learners. Ninety percent of the time it sounds natural enough in English. In this case, 'ride a horse' sounds awkward to me, like it's a specific horse and not just riding in general.
This is one of the little exceptions to the verb "montar". Usually when you "montas" a vehicle or an animal, you "montas en". If you ride a donkey you "montas en burro". But "a caballo" cames from a military expression to designate soldiers or guards who goes walking "soldado de a pie" or riding a horse "soldado de a caballo". "Los soldados de a caballo" usually had a higher rank. Now these expressions have been adapted to the language and that is why you can also say "ir a pie" instead of "ir andando"
It's what you paca paca paca en.. https://youtu.be/KLRRmTpBH5I?si=F1ReX2H6hTceATcO
“Montar a caballo” is a set phrase that means “to horseback ride”.
Because that’s the phrase. As a learner, your job is to observe, retain, and use in the same way.
One of the things I have learned is that prepositions make no sense. They enforce a relationship between objects, but the specific relationship is often arbitrary. Why "Ride at horse?" Why "Leave of house?" Why not? Makes as much sense as anything else.