Although a therapeutic riding instructor’s main goal is to teach riding skills, many of these can be related to life skills. A camp I once worked at called these “teachable moments”. The following is an exerpt from one of GallopNYC’s resources that I thought was a good list of transferable skills to be on the lookout for during lessons. When these topics come up, consider taking some time to discuss them and relate them to life at home!
“The horseback riding curriculum and teaching strategies focus on helping our students learn skills that are transferrable to their lives outside of a riding arena:
• Plan ahead –think about what you want to do next; be prepared for challenges you will encounter.
• Be flexible and willing to adapt
• Keep your mind on the task at hand
• Be confident and engaged
• Be aware of your environment and the feedback it gives you
• Accept correction and criticism constructively and not personally; take corrections and transfer them into doing what is right
• Use horseback riding as an opportunity to socialize appropriately with peers, volunteers and instructors
• Understand how you learn: practice by yourself, watch or model those riding with you or ask for help from the volunteers and instructors”
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Note: This is not professional advice, this is a blog. I am not liable for what you do with or how you use this information. The activities explained in this blog may not be fit for every rider, riding instructor, or riding center depending on their current condition and resources. Use your best personal judgement!