A recent topic over on the Fugly Blog, as well as the addition of four new students to my lesson schedule has had me thinking about how difficult it is to find a "good" riding instructor, or at least one that fits the rider's needs. For many adults looking to get into horseback riding or getting back into riding after a hiatus, or for horse-crazy kids who simply want to ride and be around horses - fancy horses, a high-end facility with all the amenities, or a trainer with a list of accomplishments a mile long are neither in their budget nor in alignment with their goals in riding or horse ownership.
In many cases, kids care less about showing and more about having fun, enjoying riding for the sake of riding; the challenges that go along with getting better - going faster, jumping higher, or exploring new trails. For older riders just starting out (or starting back), the primary goals are often to ride safely and with confidence, and to enjoy the bond with a horse, along with the feelings of accomplishment that come from little improvements and new levels of competency.
It's not uncommon for larger, well-known barns to attract some of the best trainers and instructors in the area, and that benefits both the barn, and the trainer. But it might not always be best for the rider who is just starting out. Popular instructors, or trainers who are actively showing often utilize a small army of working students, assistant trainers, and grooms - so even if a student is paying for that trainer's services, it may well be the assistants who are doing most of the training and instruction. Understandably, riders and owners who have the most invested in business with the trainer will get the most personal attention. That's not to say that the working students and assistant trainers aren't good in their own right, but it may not be quite the situation that best benefits the beginning rider.
Another thing I have noticed over the years is that many extremely talented riders and trainers aren't suited to teach beginners or riders whose primary goals don't include competition. Even exceptional riders aren't always able to translate what they would do while riding the student's horse into clear, easy to follow instructions. Effective communication with students is just as important as communication with the horse. Instruction needs to be adapted using techniques that aren't only level-appropriate but also phrased in a way the the student can understand and utilize.
Hand in hand with having an instructor who is able to an effective teacher, is one who keeps a range of lesson horses on hand. Having horses for every level of rider the instructor caters to means having horses who are safe, well-schooled, serviceably sound for the level of work they are asked to do, and who have a good balance of tolerance and responsiveness.
Of course there are other challenges presented to riders seeking a new instructor. One of the biggest being location. Proximity to home or work is often a big concern. Some riders are willing and able to drive further to take lessons or even board at a facility that meets their needs, while others may keep their horses at home and their life situation may be such that their best option is to find an instructor who can come to them. Furthermore, regional trends (i.e. some areas are predominantly English, or primarily focused on Hunter/Jumpers but low on Eventing trainers) may make it hard to find an instructor who teaches the discipline he or she is interested in learning.
From the instructor's point of view, knowing these challenges their potential clients face can mean finding new ways to connect with them and get the word out about the services they offer. On the other hand, understanding what goes into selecting an instructor can help a new rider, or the parent of a new rider, decide where to go can be quite difficult. Education, knowing what to look for and how to separate the good, the bad, and the mediocre is the first step.
Coming soon, part 2.
Monday, October 17, 2011
Saturday, October 1, 2011
Ups and Downs
Horse ownership can have a lot of ups and downs. The past few days have been just that.
On Wednesday, my farrier told me of a mare owned by one of his clients who was looking for a good home. The mare was in her 20s, sound, but had been diagnosed with Cushings (having grown up with Arabs, with whom Cushings is rather common, I had no issue with that). He'd thought of me because I'd told him I was looking for a quiet horse to use for a few lessons a week, and who could double as a low-level show mount for a couple of my students. I called the owner, but got no answer. Then on Thusday night I went to go watch a friend ride her horse after I got done with work for the day, and she mentioned that the lady who had been leasing one of her other horses and had been planning to buy her had had to back out of the deal after her husband put the kibosh on it. Long story short, I ended up not with an aging warmblood mare, but with a 9 year old red chestnut tb mare. I adore her and have for over a year, and I have no doubt that this horse is going to help me move up the levels in Dressage. But she's also quiet and sweet enough to tolerate my lesson kids showing her in some flat classes next season. Definitely a good deal! However, because of needing to give the barn 30 days notice as per their policy, I won't be able to bring Margeux home until the end of the month.
Fast forward to this afternoon. After teaching group riding this morning, I took Rose out and used her for a beginner lesson, in which she was a saint, then put her back in her stall and went to teach another lesson on Shay. Shay had had a heavy-ish workout yesterday, but had been reluctant on his right lead - usually his stronger lead. He hadn't been off, so I had simply figured he was a bit tired or sore, cooled him out, and rinsed him with a liniment brace just to be sure he was comfortable. Pulled him out, got the kid on, and after one walk circle it was clear that he was lame - sore/pulled muscle in the right haunch or gaskin. So I apologized to my lesson kid and went to switch horses. After giving Shay some banamine and explaining why he would later need to be cold hosed and given a few days off, I went to put him back in his pen. At that time, another student who is going to be half-leasing Rose had her in the crossties. Shay suddenly ran backwards and kicked Rose in the back of her thigh, just above the hock on her right side, leaving a shallow gash and taking off a lot of hair. It was just the one kick before Rose scooted away as far as the crossties would let her and I was able to get Shay forward. He's not usually aggressive (it was the first time I've ever seen him kick other than in play with a pasture buddy), and it left all of us stunned - it was very out of character. Shay will be fine with bute and a few days of rest, then some handwalking and a few days of walking under saddle - he needs about a week off or so. Rose wasn't terribly sore and the cut wasn't deep enough to require stitches, and I was able to get some Banamine in her almost immediately as well. How lame she'll be remains to be seen. >_< I suspect she too will be out of commission for about a week. So now I'm up one lovely new Dressage mare, and temporarily down two of my primary lesson horses for a week. >_< That's what you call taking the good with the bad.
On Wednesday, my farrier told me of a mare owned by one of his clients who was looking for a good home. The mare was in her 20s, sound, but had been diagnosed with Cushings (having grown up with Arabs, with whom Cushings is rather common, I had no issue with that). He'd thought of me because I'd told him I was looking for a quiet horse to use for a few lessons a week, and who could double as a low-level show mount for a couple of my students. I called the owner, but got no answer. Then on Thusday night I went to go watch a friend ride her horse after I got done with work for the day, and she mentioned that the lady who had been leasing one of her other horses and had been planning to buy her had had to back out of the deal after her husband put the kibosh on it. Long story short, I ended up not with an aging warmblood mare, but with a 9 year old red chestnut tb mare. I adore her and have for over a year, and I have no doubt that this horse is going to help me move up the levels in Dressage. But she's also quiet and sweet enough to tolerate my lesson kids showing her in some flat classes next season. Definitely a good deal! However, because of needing to give the barn 30 days notice as per their policy, I won't be able to bring Margeux home until the end of the month.
Fast forward to this afternoon. After teaching group riding this morning, I took Rose out and used her for a beginner lesson, in which she was a saint, then put her back in her stall and went to teach another lesson on Shay. Shay had had a heavy-ish workout yesterday, but had been reluctant on his right lead - usually his stronger lead. He hadn't been off, so I had simply figured he was a bit tired or sore, cooled him out, and rinsed him with a liniment brace just to be sure he was comfortable. Pulled him out, got the kid on, and after one walk circle it was clear that he was lame - sore/pulled muscle in the right haunch or gaskin. So I apologized to my lesson kid and went to switch horses. After giving Shay some banamine and explaining why he would later need to be cold hosed and given a few days off, I went to put him back in his pen. At that time, another student who is going to be half-leasing Rose had her in the crossties. Shay suddenly ran backwards and kicked Rose in the back of her thigh, just above the hock on her right side, leaving a shallow gash and taking off a lot of hair. It was just the one kick before Rose scooted away as far as the crossties would let her and I was able to get Shay forward. He's not usually aggressive (it was the first time I've ever seen him kick other than in play with a pasture buddy), and it left all of us stunned - it was very out of character. Shay will be fine with bute and a few days of rest, then some handwalking and a few days of walking under saddle - he needs about a week off or so. Rose wasn't terribly sore and the cut wasn't deep enough to require stitches, and I was able to get some Banamine in her almost immediately as well. How lame she'll be remains to be seen. >_< I suspect she too will be out of commission for about a week. So now I'm up one lovely new Dressage mare, and temporarily down two of my primary lesson horses for a week. >_< That's what you call taking the good with the bad.
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