We all know therapeutic horseback riding barns aren’t rolling in dough enough to buy new horse blankets every time the horses get into a squabble. Here are some tips for repairing horse blankets that have worked for me. This stems from today, when I repaired yet another hole in my own horse’s blanket in preparation … Continue reading
Intentionally Compliment Your Students
Here is a great article about a teacher who every morning compliments the students in his special ed class one by one. He talks about the difference it’s made in their lives, this little act. “The Brilliant Way This Special Ed Teacher Starts Class Every Day” at TheMighty.com It reminds me of an instructor I … Continue reading
Extending and Shortening the Walk (again!)
I really like teaching extending and shortening the walk. I like to teach it soon after the basics (how to balance, halt, walk on, and steer your horse) because I think it gives beginners a needed sense of more minute control of their horse and a feel for what is a normal speed for their … Continue reading
Clips for Good Behavior
Here is a simple way to encourage good behavior while riding. My friend Carrie Capes of Horsepower TR explains she created these smiley clips that her riders earn by doing good work. When they earn 5, they get to choose their activity – “free choice!” She says it’s very effective with kids with lots of behaviors … Continue reading
A Few Links – Safety, Memorials, Horse care, Amputees
Here are a few links I’ve been wanting to share: ~ The PATH Intl. Conference 2015 Handouts from most of the seminars! Check them out! ~ Here are some great “why’s” regarding safety around horses by Julie Goodnight, Unsafe Mistakes We Make Around Horses. ~ A quick read by The RubberCurryComb called “Remembrance,” on having a … Continue reading
Equine Spa Currying Sessions
One of the best sessions I attended at the 2015 PATH Intl Conference was “Grooming for the Healthy Horse” by BJ Hartmann of Miracle Farm Rescue about incorporate equine acupressure and massage into grooming. She explained everything in a way that you or I or our volunteers could do at home. The best part is, it’s basically … Continue reading
Disabilities Teaching Tips for Therapeutic Riding – 2015 PATH Intl Conf
Today is the last day of the 2015 Path Intl Conference, but by far not my last post. However, instead of posting notes from specific seminars, I’m going to group some of them by theme because I think that would be more helpful. So here are a bunch of notes and tips about teaching specific disabilities. (From … Continue reading
Lengthening and Shortening Lesson Plan and Evaluation
Yesterday I attended a seminar at the 2015 PATH Intl Conference by Marny Mansfield and Emily Wygod of Endeavor Horsemanship called “Step Up the Approach” about stepping up your approach to instructing. They had this great handout of an example lesson plan, with a video of the instructor teaching the lesson, and then we discussed it. With … Continue reading
Games 4.0
This week I am fortunate enough to be at the 2015 PATH Intl. Conference! After attending the Mentor Workshop I snuck into the Community Connections Day Instructor seminar let by Jen Donahue of Equest, Dallas TX, because last year it was one of the best I attended. This year did not fail! Like a huge … Continue reading
Halloween Horse Costume Matching Cards Game
Last minute I threw together this fun festive matching cards set. The riders – and volunteers – really liked them! On one side are pumpkins of all different colors that I cut out of paper: On the other side are matching pairs of horse costume pictures I found online!: I’m not posting a document for … Continue reading