| Are you ready to begin your riding adventure? Or do | | | | friends should be higher on your list. Word of mouth |
| you want to get back in the saddle after a long | | | | recommendations are a good way to find an |
| break? Here are some questions and tips on finding a | | | | instructor/ trainer. The person that recommended a |
| skilled riding instructor that will meet your needs. | | | | trainer will have experience with that particular trainer |
| The first question you need to ask your self is what | | | | and is familiar with their style of teaching, and how |
| style of riding have done before? Or which style | | | | they interact with horses and clients. |
| would you like to learn? Some examples are: hunter, | | | | Questions to ask potential instructors/ trainers. |
| jumper, dressage, trail, western pleasure, or reining to | | | | Do you work with beginners? |
| name a few. If you are not sure what is the | | | | Do you work with timid riders? |
| difference then check with your local library or go | | | | How long have you been teaching? |
| online and do a search. This is the first step in | | | | How many years have you been involved with |
| determining what type of instructor you are looking | | | | horses? |
| for. | | | | Do you teach children? Adults? Can we ride |
| Questions to ask yourself: | | | | together? |
| What style of riding do I wish to learn? | | | | What are your prices? |
| What are my riding goals? | | | | Do you offer private, semi-private, or group lessons? |
| Do I want to be more comfortable on a horse and | | | | Can I watch you teach a lesson? |
| ride recreationally? | | | | Can you give me some references - other students, |
| Do I want to participate in horse shows? | | | | resume etc.? |
| How much time do I have for riding? | | | | What are your safety policies (if any)? |
| Are there specific fears that I need to work with? | | | | Are you insured? |
| No matter what your riding goals are you should ride | | | | What are your certifications, if any? |
| at least once per week. That way you have a | | | | Do you go to shows, and are you willing to take |
| chance to practice what you learned during the | | | | students? |
| lesson, and it also allows you to progress quicker. | | | | Do you have any special requirements? |
| Most lessons last about an hour, however grooming | | | | These are just a suggested list of questions to ask |
| and tacking/ untacking add another hour to your | | | | potential trainers/ instructors. |
| "lesson" time, and this is an extremely important part | | | | If you have narrowed down your search to a couple |
| of your lesson. You need to learn how to groom and | | | | of potential trainers/ instructors schedule a time to |
| tack/ untack your horse, because this is necessary if | | | | meet with them face to face. I also recommend that |
| you ever wish to own or share board a horse. | | | | you watch at least one of their lessons. |
| What is my budget for lessons, etc.? | | | | Some things to look for when visiting potential barns: |
| Private lessons range from $40-90/hr. | | | | Do the horses appear healthy? |
| Semi-private lessons and group lessons range from | | | | Is the barn neat (i.e. no pitch forks or shovels in the |
| $20-50/hr. | | | | aisles)? |
| Remember you will also be investing in the proper | | | | Does the instructor pay attention to the student? |
| attire, which includes jeans or breeches, boots, and | | | | Do they have a helmet policy? (This should always |
| most importantly a safety helmet. This part of your | | | | be a mandatory policy with EVERY rider) |
| riding investment should not cost that much. For | | | | Are the instructor's requests during the lesson |
| example many of us already have a pair of jeans | | | | reasonable? |
| that will work for riding. A pair of inexpensive but | | | | Are the instructor's requests easy to understand, if |
| serviceable breeches should be about $40-$50 a pair. | | | | not does the instructor explain them when students |
| The average boots to start riding with should be | | | | have a question? |
| around $50 and a helmet can be $25-65. It all | | | | Do the students look comfortable, and appear to be |
| depends on how fancy or high end you want your | | | | enjoying the lesson? |
| items to be. | | | | I hope that these suggestions assist you in your |
| I recommend that you start with a reputable and | | | | search for an instructor. If you follow these |
| professional instructor to teach you the basics of | | | | guidelines, then it will be much easier to find an |
| riding a horse. They should be certified if possible. | | | | instructor that meets your needs. |
| Having an instructor with certification means they | | | | By Sara McKiness of Horse Logic. |
| have passed tests and classes on riding instruction. | | | | Editor's Note: Based in St. Charles, Sara McKiness is a |
| An instructor must also carry Equine Liability | | | | Certified Horse Trainer who helps riders improve their |
| Insurance. | | | | communication with horses without punishment. She |
| Now you should compile a list of instructors/ trainers | | | | graduated valedictorian from Meredith Manor |
| from the phone book, internet, recommendations, | | | | International Equestrian Center (MMIEC) where she |
| and instructors/ trainers listed at feed stores. The | | | | majored in teaching and training, and minored in |
| instructors/ trainers that are recommended by | | | | Farrier Science. |