This post is a yearly report on the blog because I find this sort of thing interesting and encouraging. If you find it boring, move on! haha 2018 was a big year for this blog, although I’m not sure why because I did not post nearly as often! Between having a newborn and toddler and … Continue reading
Xenophon’s Sensory Trail
I LOVE sensory trails, and when I visited Xenophon Therapeutic Riding last week, I was so excited to see their sensory trail with many obstacles I hadn’t seen before! I made a barn tour post about their property and program (if you missed it, click here!) but decided the sensory trail deserved a post of its … Continue reading
Barn Tour: Xenophon
In this post I’m going to share my visit to the program Xenophon in Orinda, CA! This is not a comprehensive description of their program, but rather I’ll share the things I found most interesting and inspiring. I met Lindsay, who works at Xenophon, at the PATH Intl Conference in San Diego about 4 years ago (we lunged … Continue reading
A Few Links – Bombproof, Ground Pole Exercise, Games, Clicker Training, Gift List!
This holiday season most of my Christmas shopping and attempts at posting have been done in the middle of the night on my phone while nursing baby (don’t judge). During that time I’ve also discovered many interesting links and gifts I want to share with you! But First, Some News Book sales will be closed … Continue reading
How Instructing Therapeutic Riding Has Helped Me Be A Better Parent
The other day I was talking with a “mom friend” about parenting our toddlers and she said she could tell that my background in therapeutic riding instruction influenced how I interacted with the kids, but she couldn’t say exactly how. So I started telling her all the ways I have noticed it helps me, and … Continue reading
Teaching Techniques: Communication Strategies
We are nearing the end of the teaching techniques series based on handouts that I’ve given Instructor in Training. This post is on the basic communication strategies you can use for most riders. These notes are compiled from various workshops and seminars. I don’t think it’s comprehensive, but it’s helpful! Enjoy! Teaching Techniques: Communication Strategies Here … Continue reading
Teaching Techniques: Task Analysis
I’m back! Sorry that one month “maternity leave” from the blog turned into three! There’s definitely less free time available when you have a reflux baby AND a toddler. But I’m hoping to sneak in some blogging time now that things are settling down. I really want to finish up this teaching techniques series, so … Continue reading
Teaching Techniques: The Basics
Here’s even more notes on teaching techniques that I’ve given ITs (Instructor in Training). This is actually the first one I usually hand out first. It’s about general teaching techniques that aren’t detailed in other handouts/posts but are just as important, and a good place to start. Teaching Techniques: The Basics Give Simple Instructions Get … Continue reading
Teaching Techniques: Hows & Whys
Here’s some more notes on teaching techniques that I’ve given ITs (Instructor in Training). This one is focused on using lots of “hows” and “whys” to help your riders learn! Hows & Whys Whenever you tell a rider what to do, you need to also tell them how to do it, and why they should … Continue reading
Teaching Techniques: Effective Feedback
Here’s some more notes on teaching techniques that I’ve given ITs (Instructor in Training). This time I rewrote much of it to make it better, and as usual am super breaking it down because that’s what I like to do… I remember teaching my first lesson and suddenly freezing up like a deer in the … Continue reading