How to Teach English Horseback Riding
Teaching english horseback riding can be somewhat of a challenge; however, the rewards are amazing. The feeling of accomplishment is something that cannot be replaced. Having confidence in yourself and respect for the horse is essential to the task at hand.
Things You'll Need:
- Horse
- Student
- Horse grooming items
- Horse riding items
- Mounting block
- Horse ring
- Posts
- Groom the horse with the assistance of the student for the horse and student to become familiar with one another.
- Teach the student proper grooming techniques.
- Stand at the horse's head to make sure the horse stays still.
- Allow the student to put on the horse's riding gear while monitoring their actions.
- Teach the student how to lead a horse.
- Let the student lead the horse into the ring.
- Place a mounting block on the left side of the horse.
- Tell your student to mount the horse on the left using the mounting block.
- Teach the student proper position.
- Remind the student that their hands should remain perpendicular to the ground while holding the reins with their thumbs pointing towards the horse's mouth.
- Tell the student to always keep their heels pointing down.
- Encourage the student to keep their head up while riding and to keep looking in the direction that the horse is going.
- Instruct the student to use different commands with the horse at certain points in the ring.
- Teach the student the importance of staying relaxed and maintaining their position.
- Place posts on the ground and have the student command the horse to jump over them.
- Make each course more complicated as the student progresses.
- Test the student by asking random questions throughout each lesson.