Here are some random tips I’ve been saving that don’t fit into a whole blog post but want to share! Enjoy! Teaching Tips III Sitting up straight “Make the front part of your torso longer than the back part” Walk trot walk Use colored cones like traffic signals: green cone means trot, yellow cone means slow down red cone … Continue reading
Fun Video Friday: Serpentine, Communication Game
Today I have 3 videos for you! First, a pattern. How to Ride a Serpentine She gives great explanations for why to ride this pattern. Second, a game. Communication Game Spoiler: It’s red light green light. Which you all know, I’m sure. BUT more interesting is how this video discusses communication, including one participant who … Continue reading
Reins on Halter vs. Bridle
I had a great inquiry from a reader about creating staff guideline for when to progress a student from having the reins clipped to the halter to having the reins on the bridle. We do not have such guidelines at our barn, but here is an example I just made up that might be appropriate. Example … Continue reading
Horse Selection for Therapeutic Riding 2.0: Exceptions to the Rule
The other weekend I attended the PATH Intl Region 4 Conference and thought it was great! The sessions were informative and the retreat center Potter’s Ranch was beautiful. My favorite session was about horse selection for riders with disabilities because the presenters highlighted how sometimes the general guidelines shouldn’t be followed. So in this post I’m … Continue reading
Horse Skeleton Parts Puzzle
The other week I used this puzzle to show my students what a horse skeleton looks like and teach them some new parts. I think I made it for Halloween and never used it…so we’re doing it in the spring! Anyway, they always like the puzzles! Puzzle Game “Hide” the puzzle pieces around the arena. … Continue reading
Time Management, Part 3: Lesson Timing
This is the last post in this series about time management. Part 1 was about Perspective, Part 2 was about tips & techniques to manage and schedule your time, and now Part 3 is about time management regarding planning and teaching your lessons. Hopefully these tips are helpful for instructors in training and certified instructors alike. Time … Continue reading
Time Management, Part 2: Tips and Techniques
This is a short series of long posts about time management – because it seems every TR instructor I know says they’re so busy, and I have a hard time keeping things short! Part 1 was about Perspective, now Part 2 is about tips & techniques to manage and schedule your time. Note these are TIPS meant to … Continue reading
Time Management, Part 1: Perspective
Two years ago I was over scheduled and stressed out. I made a New Year’s resolution to improve my time management, and over the year learned quite a few helpful things that I would like to share with you, because I imagine most people in the therapeutic riding industry feel or have felt this way … Continue reading
5-5-5 Repetitions
This is a really handy activity I learned from one of my mentors, called “5-5-5.” 5-5-5 Do 5 steps or counts of one thing, 5 of another, and 5 of another. Repeat. You can ask for one repetition per wall, up it to two, or go for whole laps. The benefits are: it breaks practicing … Continue reading
Mounting: Left vs. Right
While we’re on the topic of mounting (see previous post) here’s a few more thoughts! Why we mount from the left It comes from riding horses in the military. Xonophon (350 BC) explains how to mount from the left while holding your spear. Later, cavalry officers wore the sword on the left so they could draw … Continue reading