Horse Addiction I finally worked out why I was addicted to horses! According to Tony Robbins, humans have six basic needs and if they find an activity that satisfies at least four of those needs there is a very strong chance they will become addicted to that activity and find it difficult or impossible to stop. Certainty Uncertainty Significance Connection Growth Contribution I know with me, horses satisfy every one of those needs! No wonder so many other people are also addicted to them! If I have never met a horse before, I can be certain they have characteristics and behaviors that are unique to the horse. At the same time, every horse and every situation is different. Even on a well-trained horse there is always a degree of uncertainty in the way they are going … [Read more...]
How Addictions To Horses Are Created
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...]
Equine Goal Setting
When Goals Change At the beginning of each year, we often set goals for the coming year. The number of times each week we are going to ride, how we are going to save up for a new saddle or focus on our competition schedule for the year. We often talk about SMART goals (specific, measurable, achievable, realistic and time-lined), and also about the steps towards achieving your goals (define what you want, know what you have, plan how you are going to get there and take action at least every day towards achieving your goals). Then it rains, going out with friends becomes a higher priority than the new saddle and the nominations closebefore you put in your entries. Goals were never meant to be set in stone! They should be flexible, reflect your values, your dreams and your … [Read more...]
Centrelink Horse Course
Centrelink Assistance for EA Trainees Many EA (Equestrian Australia) Trainees are not aware that they are able to access Centrelink Assistance while they are training for horse qualifications or in the equine industry. While Equestrian Australia is not able to provide this assistance to trainees directly, EA Coach Educator Glenys Cox offers aligned Centrelink approved courses so you can receive a horse related educational qualification at the same time as your EA qualifications. With prices around $5.a day, these courses are ideal for those on a budget. The courses are all delivered online, so your study time is flexible and can be completed around your other commitments. For more information, please phone Glenys Cox on (07) 3102 5498 or email Glenys @ OnlineHorseCollege.com... … [Read more...]
Teaching Children To Ride Horses
Tips For Teaching Children’s Horse Riding Lessons If you were one of the people who took our recent survey, THANK YOU! In particular, if you were one of the people who asked for some tips for teaching children then this series of tips for teaching children’s horse riding lessons has been written for you! 1. Keep Children Active And Moving In Their Riding Lessons Children like active riding lessons with maximum participation. Once they have learnt their A, B & C’s (attitude, balance and control) they generally love to canter and jump. They like to keep moving, but rather than having the ride go in single file behind one leader for the whole lesson try these suggestions - change leaders - go into and out of open order - leading files in succession … [Read more...]
Final Step to Achieve Your Horse Related Goals
This final video in this series brings together the final step to achieve your horse riding, equestrian teaching and equine career study goals. In the video we discuss the 'Get Ready, Get Set and Go' of this step to make your horse related goals into a reality! Remember to view the three videos in this series Video One - What Are Your Horse Riding, Teaching and Study Goals? Video Two - Plan Your Horse Riding, Teaching and Study Goals! Video Three - Achieve Your Horse Riding, Teaching and Study Goals! Happy Riding, Glenys :-) (Ms) Glenys Cox Director - Online Horse College P.S. Just in case you missed the previous videos :-) … [Read more...]
Teaching Canter Video
If you were one of the people who used the techniques I suggested for teaching trot, thanks for your positive feedback! When you teach some-one how to perform a skill it makes you analyze the whole process in a lot more depth. So when I am training some-one how to teach a skill I analyze both the skill development and the teaching process in a lot more depth. People have been asking me about teaching canter to beginners, so I have made this video with some tips on both the skill development of the learner and the teaching process for the horse riding instructor. Click Here For A Video With Tips On Teaching Canter Students enrolled in our new updated courses will have access to these videos and many more as part of their Student Resources. If you enroll now, you can save … [Read more...]
Teaching Confidence
I have some potentially bad news for you below. But first... Thanks again for those who have sent me the positive feedback on the tips for teaching trot and canter to complete beginners. Now for those horse riding instructors who would like to have some tips on teaching confidence. How often do you talk to someone who has lost their confidence on a horse? Sure you have. We ALL have! Why? There are many reasons why people lose their confidence! They may have only been on a horse once, or they could have ridden when they were younger or have a bad memory with a horse. Click Here For The Free Video On Teaching Horse Riding Confidence Watch this short video I've prepared for you because I reveal some tips for teaching your riders to be confident in any situations! Now, for the bad news... It … [Read more...]
How to Properly Canter on a Horse
When you are learning how to canter on a horse, there are many problems that the movement of cantering can cause. These tips will minimise those problems so you can enjoy cantering a horse. How To Canter Cantering a horse is much the same as sitting trot, the seat (pelvis, thighs and hip joints) will be required to follow the canter movement. The seat should flow and remain in contact with the saddle forming a series of arcs (which may form an outline simular to that of the lower side of an egg which is laid on its side). It can be described that there are 3 sensations to be felt at canter: First, a lowering or sinking of the seat. This coincides with the first hind-leg in the canter sequence coming down to touch the ground. Then, sliding or floating forward in the saddle. The … [Read more...]
Training Your Horse (Riding Aids Explained)
How you use your horse riding aids and how effective you are with them in your equine training or equestrian training will depend upon your abilities and level as a rider. The more you progress and refine your skills the better you will be able to influence the horse. Natural Horse Riding Aids - are those which you give using your body i.e. legs, reins, weight and voice. Artificial Horse Riding Aids - are those which you use to re-enforce the natural aids i.e. whips, crops and spurs. In this article we will talk about the natural horse riding aids. In another article artificial aids will be discussed and in other articles specific aids for different paces and transitions will be covered. This article provides a basic overview on the types of different aids and how they are … [Read more...]
Tips for Caring for Horses Who Live Outside
The care of horses involves many tasks. This article looks at some of the basic necessities and tasks you need to know when you are learning about how to take care of horses correctly. You may be required to undertake these as a horse owner and/or carer when you are caring for horses who live in a paddock/ field/ pasture (depending on the country where you live). A horse is a much bigger commitment than other family pets, if fact everything about them is bigger, feeding, veterinary bills, worming not to mention all the accessories that go with them. With the right care and knowledge you can keep your horse happy and healthy. Routine Checks When Caring For Horses Horses which are kept outdoors will require checking at least once a day. If you have poor quality or little pasture you may … [Read more...]