♘امیرحسین♞
♘ مدیریت انجمن اسب ایران ♞
Where to find an instructor, what you should look for, and what to prepare.
You’ve decided that the fun, exercise and companionship of horseback riding are for you, and you are anxious to begin. Where do you start? Many of our grandparents or great grandparents learned to ride on the broad back of a hard working, patient farm horse. They learned by trial and error, and possible injury. Those days thankfully are over and riding stables abound within easy drive of most urban areas.
You can start looking for a riding instructor by:
* Looking in your phone directory.
* Going to a horse show.
* Contacting national, regional, or local clubs like Pony Club, American Riding Instructors Association, British Horse Society, Equine Canada, United States Equestrian Federation, American Association for Horsemanship Safety, breed associations, and other horse clubs.
* Word of mouth—do you have a friend taking lessons?
* By asking at the stable you drive by on the way to the farmer's market.
Perhaps they don’t give lessons, but they’ll probably know someone that does.
What makes a good instructor?
Ask if the instructor has any accreditation such as such as certificates from any of the above listed associations. You will know that an instructor holding a certificate is trained in first-aid, riding skills, and coaching.
Lots of great riding instructors do not hold certificates. At minimum they should hold a current first-aid certificate, the horses must look healthy, the stables tidy and clean, and their first priority be safety. Ask if you can watch a lesson. Here’s what you can look for:
* Are all the students wearing approved riding helmets, and proper boots or safety stirrups?
* How many students are in a group lesson? Does it appear too crowded in the riding area to be safe?
* Does the instructor speak to students respectfully or is he/she a screaming tyrant?
* Is the riding area free from clutter, except for the equipment specifically being used in the lesson?
* Are all the exits from the arena or riding ring closed so that a runaway horse can not escape through a low doorway or out into a driveway or road?
* Do all the students seem to be at the same level, or is the instructor paying attention to an advanced rider while the others plunk around?
* Is the instructor giving all of his/her attention to the students or are they chatting to by-standers or talking on a cell phone?
* Do the students and horses appear to be well matched or is the 180-lb woman riding a pony?
* Is there any improvement in the student’s riding by the end of the lesson?
* Does everyone leave the lesson happy? Don’t be afraid to ask the students their opinions.
* Does there seem to be overall attention to safety, and welfare of the horses and riders?
What you should ask an instructor:
* How long have they been owned and ridden horses?
* How long have they been teaching riding?
* Have they competed in horse shows, trials, or competitive distance rides? (You could ask to see awards.)
* What is their specialty? If it’s dressage and you want to trail ride it may not be a good match.
* Do they hold a current first-aid certificate?
* Do they hold any other credentials like Centered Riding?
* How many students do they currently have?
* How long have the lesson horses been owned? Beware if they brag of the great bargain they picked up at auction last weekend.
* Do they offer private lessons or will you be in a group? (First time riders should have private lessons until they are able to competently control the horse.)
What the instructor should ask you:
* If you have any riding experience?
* What sports do you participate in and what's your general fitness level?
* What are your goals?
Visit as many stables as you can, even though you will be anxious to get into the saddle. Once you’ve found a match, schedule your first lesson and then:
* Thoroughly read all stable policies so you will know how you are expected to pay, how missed lessons are dealt with and other responsibilities.
* Buy an ASTM approved riding helmet. Bicycle and other helmets do not provide the same protection as a helmet designed for horseback riders.
* Buy proper fitting boots with minimal tread and a heel approximately one inch high. Used riding boots available at tack shops (horse equipment stores) are quite affordable. Jodhpur boots go just past the ankle and are more comfortable, but tall boots may provide more grip.
* Find stretch pants, riding tights, riding breeches, or jodhpurs.
* Choose a comfortable T-shirt or sweatshirt. Dress in layers in cold weather.
* Consider buying liability insurance. Affordably purchased through your national, state, or provincial horse association, it may protect you should a horse under your control hurt someone else.
If you aren’t satisfied with your interaction, try another stable. It may take awhile to find an instructor that you feel comfortable with.
You’ve decided that the fun, exercise and companionship of horseback riding are for you, and you are anxious to begin. Where do you start? Many of our grandparents or great grandparents learned to ride on the broad back of a hard working, patient farm horse. They learned by trial and error, and possible injury. Those days thankfully are over and riding stables abound within easy drive of most urban areas.
You can start looking for a riding instructor by:
* Looking in your phone directory.
* Going to a horse show.
* Contacting national, regional, or local clubs like Pony Club, American Riding Instructors Association, British Horse Society, Equine Canada, United States Equestrian Federation, American Association for Horsemanship Safety, breed associations, and other horse clubs.
* Word of mouth—do you have a friend taking lessons?
* By asking at the stable you drive by on the way to the farmer's market.
Perhaps they don’t give lessons, but they’ll probably know someone that does.
What makes a good instructor?
Ask if the instructor has any accreditation such as such as certificates from any of the above listed associations. You will know that an instructor holding a certificate is trained in first-aid, riding skills, and coaching.
Lots of great riding instructors do not hold certificates. At minimum they should hold a current first-aid certificate, the horses must look healthy, the stables tidy and clean, and their first priority be safety. Ask if you can watch a lesson. Here’s what you can look for:
* Are all the students wearing approved riding helmets, and proper boots or safety stirrups?
* How many students are in a group lesson? Does it appear too crowded in the riding area to be safe?
* Does the instructor speak to students respectfully or is he/she a screaming tyrant?
* Is the riding area free from clutter, except for the equipment specifically being used in the lesson?
* Are all the exits from the arena or riding ring closed so that a runaway horse can not escape through a low doorway or out into a driveway or road?
* Do all the students seem to be at the same level, or is the instructor paying attention to an advanced rider while the others plunk around?
* Is the instructor giving all of his/her attention to the students or are they chatting to by-standers or talking on a cell phone?
* Do the students and horses appear to be well matched or is the 180-lb woman riding a pony?
* Is there any improvement in the student’s riding by the end of the lesson?
* Does everyone leave the lesson happy? Don’t be afraid to ask the students their opinions.
* Does there seem to be overall attention to safety, and welfare of the horses and riders?
What you should ask an instructor:
* How long have they been owned and ridden horses?
* How long have they been teaching riding?
* Have they competed in horse shows, trials, or competitive distance rides? (You could ask to see awards.)
* What is their specialty? If it’s dressage and you want to trail ride it may not be a good match.
* Do they hold a current first-aid certificate?
* Do they hold any other credentials like Centered Riding?
* How many students do they currently have?
* How long have the lesson horses been owned? Beware if they brag of the great bargain they picked up at auction last weekend.
* Do they offer private lessons or will you be in a group? (First time riders should have private lessons until they are able to competently control the horse.)
What the instructor should ask you:
* If you have any riding experience?
* What sports do you participate in and what's your general fitness level?
* What are your goals?
Visit as many stables as you can, even though you will be anxious to get into the saddle. Once you’ve found a match, schedule your first lesson and then:
* Thoroughly read all stable policies so you will know how you are expected to pay, how missed lessons are dealt with and other responsibilities.
* Buy an ASTM approved riding helmet. Bicycle and other helmets do not provide the same protection as a helmet designed for horseback riders.
* Buy proper fitting boots with minimal tread and a heel approximately one inch high. Used riding boots available at tack shops (horse equipment stores) are quite affordable. Jodhpur boots go just past the ankle and are more comfortable, but tall boots may provide more grip.
* Find stretch pants, riding tights, riding breeches, or jodhpurs.
* Choose a comfortable T-shirt or sweatshirt. Dress in layers in cold weather.
* Consider buying liability insurance. Affordably purchased through your national, state, or provincial horse association, it may protect you should a horse under your control hurt someone else.
If you aren’t satisfied with your interaction, try another stable. It may take awhile to find an instructor that you feel comfortable with.