| Those using a horse riding coach may find there are | | | | ultimate goal will determine the style of riding |
| a lot on instructions that need to be followed. Such | | | | precision and technique that you need to adopt. Any |
| as, put your hands here, your leg here, use your seat | | | | approaches to training then can be quite different |
| this way, keep your head up, and so on. When you | | | | and be customised to suit your aims. So, first of all |
| are riding and the horse seems to have a mind of | | | | you need to know what your goal is. But even if you |
| their own, it can all get too confusing and very | | | | don't, a good trainer should be able to bring out your |
| frustrating. It's not only a matter of remembering | | | | dream. |
| instructions. It's co-ordinating them and using them all | | | | If you want a different result, you need to do |
| simultaneously. Often, instead of things coming | | | | something different? The same phrases heard over |
| together, it seems as if they are falling apart. You | | | | and over means it is time to try something different. |
| may feel as if you are never going to get it, it is all | | | | How your horse is acting is a clear cue to what you |
| too hard and you should just give up. | | | | are doing with your body and mind. The horse tells us |
| Well things can be different. Training can be fun, | | | | everything! When you have someone who can read |
| interesting and exciting. You and your horse can both | | | | your both you and your horse, be flexible in their |
| enjoy it and look forward to it. | | | | teaching methods and can tell you in ways you can |
| By joining up art plus dance plus equine you will gain | | | | understand, then you know you have a good |
| an understanding; of how to creatively use | | | | instructor. |
| visualization, use you body efficiently and work with | | | | In the same way, many of us feel the horse is the |
| the horse; so that there is a harmony that exists | | | | one that needs to be trained. The horse is this, the |
| between horse and rider. Use your mind and body to | | | | horse does that. Observe a horse in the paddock, |
| communicate clearly and effectively to the horse. It's | | | | naturally doing all of the things we are trying to make |
| your responsibility and your response ability that will | | | | it do under saddle. What is the difference? You, the |
| make this change for you. | | | | rider! Our communications need to be focused, clear |
| A good horse riding instructor should be able to help | | | | and concise. When you can understand yourself, your |
| you understand and be able to show you ways to | | | | thoughts, the way your body moves, then you will |
| move forward, with lightness and grace. As your | | | | be able to work on yourself and with your horse |
| cues get lighter and lighter, your horse thanks you by | | | | instead of just on him. |
| becoming more responsive. | | | | So the right trainer needs to be able to: read both |
| Ask yourself three things when you search for a | | | | you and your horse, cultivate a relationship where |
| trainer: Q1. Can the horse riding instructor understand | | | | you work with your horse and flexible in how they |
| your goal and bring it out in you? Q2. Are you being | | | | communicate this message. You'll know when you've |
| shown and are you understanding the how and why | | | | found the right one for you, for you will be |
| of your body moving your horse? Q3. Are you | | | | progressing towards your goal. Though it may still be |
| working with your horse OR on your horse? | | | | lots of practice and work there remains an element |
| Why do you need to have a goal? What is the | | | | of fun to it. So try joining up your creative mind with |
| reason you are riding for? Is it to compete or win at | | | | your body and dance with your horse and see the |
| a certain event, to be able to enjoy riding out in the | | | | surprising places it can take you. |
| forest or to gain partnership with your horse. Your | | | | |