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NEWS & ARTICLES : How To Find A Riding Instructor

How To Find A Riding Instructor (originally published in PetFolio magazine)

If possible, try before you buy!

"You have taught our daughter more in 45 minutes, than her former instructor did in four years of lessons!" exclaimed a 13 year old's parents.

"The last time our daughter rode, the instructor blamed her for not checking her girth, yet the instructor was the one who put it on," lamented another mom. "The saddle slipped, so she fell off the horse and was hurt. Now she is afraid to ride."

Here are two distinctly different stories of riding instructors in our area. But we are not unique! One of the biggest problems riders have is discerning good from bad or right from wrong. Teaching methods vary, but so do learning styles. It is critical that you choose an instructor who can work with you appropriately and safely.

Here are a few tips to finding the right instructor.

- Safety must be first! Ask questions about what safety precautions are taken with students and their horses. Observe a lesson given to someone else near your experience level, and see whether safety practices are followed.

- Knowledge of basic horsemanship, and discipline-specific advanced knowledge should be easy to determine. The instructor should have qualifications that are easily verified. Certification by a nationally recognized riding institution is desirable. If your instructor is not certified, ask "why not?" Memberships in professional organizations are also helpful. Don't worry excessively about "western" or "English" teaching. True horse people know "Good horsemanship is good horsemanship, period!!"

- Good communication skills should be extremely high on your list. As you observe, take note of whether the student seems at ease with the instructor, and understands the instruction given. If you witness negative events, the instructor should always have a positive way of helping the student learn to deal with the situation. You should see clear instruction, appropriate to the student's ability and the subject at hand.

- Professionalism is also important. Does the instructor treat each student equally? Is the lesson time devoted to the student, or are interruptions frequent? Does the instructor spend the bulk of the lesson time teaching, or just chit chatting or gossiping? How prompt is the instructor? Does he or she value the client's time?

- Lesson plans are important. If you observe no discussion of past lessons or plan for future work, it's possible the instructor does not have a plan for the student's progress, and is not skilled in development of a rider. Happy learning!