Riding Lessons - What makes a good instructor?
Question: Riding Lessons - What makes a good instructor?
Answer:
Ideally, your coach should have accreditation from a recognized association (in some places it is required). These associations might include:
Lots of great riding instructors do not hold certificates. These instructors or coaches should be easily found by word-of-mouth. 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. They should have verifible references and skills. Whether the instructor is accredited or not, ask if you can watch a lesson or two.
Here’s what you can look for:
Back to FAQ Index: Before Your First Riding Lesson
Answer:
Ideally, your coach should have accreditation from a recognized association (in some places it is required). These associations might include:
- CHA Certified Horsemanship Association - Find a Coach
- Meredith Manor Check their graduate listings for a stable run by a Meridith Manor almuni in your area.
- BHS British Horse Society - Find a Riding School
- AAHS American Association for Horsemanship Safety
- ARIA American Riding Instructors Association
- Equine Canada Equine Canada - Find a Coach
- NARHA North American Riding for the Handicapped Association
- BHS Find a Riding School
- Maryland Horse Industry Board
- Association of Irish Riding Establishments
- Australian Horse Riding Centres
- OEF Horse Facilities Council Ontario Equestrian Federation Horse Facilities Member List
Lots of great riding instructors do not hold certificates. These instructors or coaches should be easily found by word-of-mouth. 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. They should have verifible references and skills. Whether the instructor is accredited or not, ask if you can watch a lesson or two.
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? A group lesson with more than 6 riders to one instructor may be too crowded and the instructor may not give adequete instruction to each rider.
- 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 their 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 students riding by the end of the lesson?
- Does everyone leave the lesson happy? Do not be afraid to ask the students their opinions.
- Does there seem to be overall attention to safety, and welfare of the horses and riders?
Back to FAQ Index: Before Your First Riding Lesson
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