Have you ever had a new rider ask if they can wear a bike helmet? I have, and I really like this simple explanation from Julie Goodnight about why equestrians needs to wear riding helmets, not bike helmets. To watch her video explanation, click here for the video on Facebook. Or read on! She explains that, … Continue reading
Teaching Tips II
Here are some random tips and quips I’ve collected that don’t fit into a whole blog post but want to share! I attended some of a clinic by Lou Denizard at our barn today and he had some neat ways of explaining things I liked that could be applied to therapeutic riding: He encouraged a rider with heels up tight knees to “Drop … Continue reading
The Practice Horse
Last year the barn I work received a fake horse, or “practice horse,” from a wonderful volunteer to help us with rider assessments. I have been thinking about fake horses ever since and slowly compiling information until I had enough to share about practice horses, their uses, and what other barns are doing! If you … Continue reading
A Few Links – Fall ideas, Leg yield, Turning aids, Teaching kids
There are so many interesting helpful articles out there in internet lands. I have been inspired by DesignMom’s “A Few Things,” and am going to periodically start posting interesting links that relate to TR and riding instruction in general. I have a huge bookmarked list of “that would be nice to read…later” links to sort through, … Continue reading
ADHD Tips
Here is a great article from ADDitudeMag.com called “ADHD Secrets Your Child’s Teacher Should Know” by Josh and Melinda Boring. To view it on the website, click here: Website Slideshow If you don’t like the click through a bunch of paragraphs slideshow version, click here for the full article (print) version – just close the print … Continue reading
Two Point Lesson Plan
These notes are from the Advanced Workshop I attended at Heartland Therapeutic Riding last summer. This another one is from Sandy Webster of Gaits of Change, our workshop instructor. I think this was one we discussed in the classroom because I don’t have all the parts of the lesson. Two Point: Lesson Plan for a Group with … Continue reading
Games 3.0
Here is a compilation list of games I’ve come across in the past year that sounded neat but had nowhere else to go. They are not whole lesson plans, just brief descriptions so you get the gist of it and go off inspired! Enjoy! Darts Ball Toss Ball toss onto Velcro dart board (such as this one). One … Continue reading
Flower Pot Game
This cute game was sent to me from a reader, Carisa. Thank you so much for sharing! Flower Pot Game Skill: halting and walking color recognition Setup: cut apart artificial flowers and placed them around the arena – taking care to have different colors flower pot – florist foam which gave sensory input and a cheap … Continue reading
Games 2.0
Here are some of the usual activities I’ve seen done recently with an extra twist! Matching Rings Setup: several pairs of matching rings, one of each color is hung on a T pole, the others are put on other T poles or cone or around the arena Activity: choose a colored ring from the T … Continue reading
Free Time During Riding Lessons
What do you think about free time during therapeutic riding lessons? I have seen the whole spectrum of opinions used appropriately. No Free Time I have heard it said that there should be no free time in lessons because everything in the lesson must have a purpose and be working toward therapeutic benefits. Wandering around aimlessly … Continue reading