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.
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