| Finding a good instructor is important. If you've never | | | | have learned. |
| been on a horse before, you do not need to have an | | | | A credible instructor will allow you to sit and observe |
| olympic level teacher. Sometimes this level instructor | | | | a lesson or two. Before you commit yourself to a |
| cannot relate to beginners because they are so | | | | series of lessons, take a couple of lessons to see if |
| advanced in their thinking. You need to be looking for | | | | you like your instructor. |
| an instructor who will teach a good basic foundation. | | | | Get references from instructors and contact those |
| You want an instructor who honestly enjoys people, | | | | students. Find out their complaints as well as |
| horses and teaching. | | | | compliments. |
| You need an instructor who will teach basic | | | | You need to do your homework before you just |
| knowledge about horses, how they think, what they | | | | sign up for lessons with the first instructor you meet. |
| are afraid of, and why they do what they do. How | | | | Ask horse people, visit local stables, go to some |
| their senses of sight, smell and hearing work. They | | | | horse shows, visit some tack shops, go on the |
| are large animals and very strong. They belong to the | | | | internet and visit sites offering advice on the subject |
| group of animals that gets eaten by the other group, | | | | of horses. |
| so you need to know how to make the horse feel | | | | Has the instructor completed any kind of training? |
| safe around you. You need to know how to touch | | | | Is the instructor insured? |
| them. You need to learn what you need to do, why | | | | Is the facility neat, clean and the animals well cared |
| you need to do it and how to achieve it. A good | | | | for? |
| instructor will teach the student how to use our own | | | | Is the tack well cared for, clean and safe? |
| intelligence to ride and care for the horse properly | | | | Safety should be a good instructors main concern. |
| and safely You need to learn how to care for them, | | | | Are all students wearing approved helmets, boots or |
| grooming, catching and leading, haltering and tying, | | | | shoes with a heel and smooth sole? Are they |
| saddleing and bridling, mounting and dismounting, | | | | wearing well-fitted clothing? |
| sitting correctly in the saddle and communicating with | | | | Does the instructor speak clearly and loudly so |
| the horse. These subjects should be taught before | | | | students can hear? |
| the student ever mounts and begins instruction on | | | | Is the instructor giving you the full attention you paid |
| riding. | | | | for or is he/she distracted by phone calls, visitors, |
| Some instructors constantly teach "head up, heels | | | | loose pets, or other frivilous matters that could be |
| down, sit straight, turn your shoulders, toes forward | | | | attended to after your lesson? |
| etc". Teaching posing often results in a stiff rider. It is | | | | Riding is not cheap. Just like any other sport, you will |
| difficult to concentrate on both posing and riding. | | | | have to invest in good equipment and riding apparel. |
| Riders learn to ride by being taught exercises that | | | | Your instructor should be able to guide you in the |
| enable them to FEEL. First you need to move WITH | | | | right direction for the type of riding you want to do. |
| the horse. Then you direct the horse by interferring | | | | After your first couple of lessons, you should feel |
| with his movenment. This is what they call "riding | | | | good about learning more and your confidence should |
| from your seat". | | | | grow with each succeeding lesson. It often takes |
| A good instructor needs to be able to communicate | | | | years to become an excellent rider so don't feel |
| clearly and logically and allows you to ask questions. | | | | discouraged if you are not an expert right away. |
| Asking questions shows that the student has a real | | | | There is so much to learn about horses so just relax |
| desire to learn. They must be honest with you, have | | | | and have fun! |
| happy students that are satisfied with how they | | | | |