Equestrian Coaches Only! By Glenys Cox and Cristine Hall Do you know what you are doing when you are coaching people with horses? Take a moment to think about the last session that you coached.What happened? What did you learn from that experience? Do you take the time to reflect on how you teach your students in those lessons? Consider yourself a student as well. How do you learn from your coaching? And how can you be a better equestrian coach? Reflective practice has long been recognised as an important phase ofexperiential learning. When John Dewey, philosopher of education, described the impact on learning from an experience, he claimed that the student’s capacity to reflect after an event (such as coaching your lesson!) was most important. This is true, particularly … [Read more...]
How to be a Better Coach
Teaching Trot Diagonals
When your student doesn’t understand something (such as trot diagonals), most coaches automatically go back and re-explain in more simplified terms.Part of re-explaining in simplified terms is to break down a complicated skill into steps. As students develop a greater understanding of riding at each level, they are more likely to progress on to the next level without the constant need for revision and to go back and ‘fill in the gaps’. The explanation ‘Just sit each time the shoulder moves back/forward/up/down does not give a student sufficient understanding of trot diagonals. Unless an instructor has a system of how to teach trot diagonals, it can be confusing for their students and anyone watching the lesson. While I may not teach every step every time, these are the steps I … [Read more...]
What Horse Riding Instructors Should Never Do?
I love this part of the story from 'The Man Who Listens to Horses' by Monty Roberts: ‘I want you to think about this very carefully’….. ‘It should be like painting a picture of your lives in the future, as if all your ambitions had been realised.’ I was in my last year of high school, and this was one of the first projects we were set to do. I turned in what I thought was a good paper….It was a ground plan and associated paperwork for the running of a thoroughbred racehorse facility. Five days later the paper was returned to me with an F….. ‘It is a wild, unattainable dream. That is why I gave it a failing grade…..I know your family background; it would just not be possible….change it to an appropriate level’. Years Later . . . It was a beautiful summers day when the coach … [Read more...]
The Olympic Question
How often do you meet young riders who want to ride in the Olympics? I love to encourage anyone who sets themselves high goals, but I also like to know if people are serious or if they are just dreaming. Some of the questions I may ask would be . . . what year do you plan to compete in your first Olympics? Tell me about your written step-by-step plan. Some one who is really serious about competing at an elite level could include regular visualization into their daily plan. In this visualization they would picture their lifestyle, what time they wake up, how many horses they ride and compete and what elite level competitions they would be ride at. They would have also worked out the finances for their competitive career and either have a sponsor/ owner or a sound, … [Read more...]
Are You or Do You Know Of An Experienced Horse Riding Instructor?
If you are an experienced horse riding instructor and you have been waiting to ‘Beta’ test the new course then please keep reading . . . When people use visualization techniques, I encourage them to fantasize about their huge competition goals and what they can accomplish in their equine businesses. However sometimes I still hear negative rather than positive wishing . . . - ‘I wish I had more money to spend on a new saddle’ - ‘I wish I didn’t have to work so far away, I never get time to ride’ - ‘I wish I had an indoor arena to ride in’ Don’t wish, do something about it! The main thing is to work with what is available now. Then if your current commitments are restricting you from achieving your goals, find another way. If you really have your priorities right … [Read more...]
Remember Black Beauty?
Remember Black Beauty, the timeless classic written by Anna Sewell? http://studyhorses.com/fhs/ebks/Ebook-Black-Beauty.pdf There are some words in that book about the first time Black Beauty had a bit in his mouth. I remember them every time I am on a sensitive horse with a ‘fussy’ mouth. “Those who have never had a bit in their mouths cannot think how bad it feels; a great piece of cold hard steel as thick as a man's finger to be pushed into one's mouth, between one's teeth, and over one's tongue, with the ends coming out at the corner of your mouth, and held fast there by straps over your head, under your throat, round your nose, and under your chin; so that no way in the world can you get rid of the nasty hard thing; it is very bad! yes, very bad! “ We, as humans choose to … [Read more...]
Horse Riding Instructors
The best way to learn a new skill or to improve a skill is to learn from some-one who already has these skills. Many of us commence our teaching career by helping solve other people’s horse problems. But to be a safe, effective horse riding instructor, other knowledge should be acquired and other skills developed. Visit Our 'Course Pathway' Page To Become A Qualified Horse Riding Instructor … [Read more...]
