Sitting Trot: Lesson Plan by Linda

One of the goals of this blog is to help people pass certification to become a therapeutic riding instructor, and it is so neat to hear when this happens! A reader named Linda wrote me several weeks ago about how much this blog helped her prepare, then followed up by letting me know she passed her certification … Continue reading →

Red Light Green Light Extreme

Here is a fun version of Red Light Green Light our volunteers created: obstacle course style! Setup: two obstacle courses down the quarter lines, using things like upright poles, knocked oer cones, barrels, etc. one “start” cone at the beginning of the course, one “end” cone at the end of the course (or if you … Continue reading →

L’Apogee Lambskin Bareback Pad

Here is something neat I found! Last weekend at the Rolex I came across a bareback pad I wanted to curl up and go to sleep on. This is the “L’Apogee Lambskin Bareback Saddle.” It is made in Austria, with lamb wool that is the thickest, softest, and deepest I’ve seen on a bareback pad. I … Continue reading →

Fun Video Friday: What do horses think?

Perhaps this should be called Fun Question Friday. What do horses think? (Video URL: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ifFfRblUDPs) I myself often wonder: When people get in cars or on tractors, do horses think they turn into them? Or understand they are separate? Do they think we are transformers? Have you ever asked your riders what they think their … Continue reading →

4 Obstacle Course Patterns

Here are 4 new obstacle course patterns that I have seen used at our barn lately. Obstacle Course Patterns #1 #2 #3 #4 (The yellow star marks a convenient place to stand so you can always see everyone.) Bonus: Example Lesson Plan! Lesson Plan for Pattern #4: Direct and Indirect Rein Steering Safety Check Mount … Continue reading →

Addressing Volunteers

Once an Instructor in Training gets the basics of teaching a lesson, you need to start incorporating more active volunteer management. This means making sure your volunteers are supporting the rider correctly, being safe, and helping the lesson run smoothly. To do this you must communicate with the volunteers by giving them praise and correction, just like … Continue reading →

Ground Pole Patterns

AKA things you can do with poles! For your obstacle course, that is. Here are some things I have seen over the past few weeks that I wanted to share with you, all ways to use ground poles in your lessons. Ground Pole Patterns (Note the nifty blog reference in the image. I am getting fancy!) … Continue reading →

Theories on Riding Progression

Where should you start with teaching beginners? Here are some thoughts that have been floating around in my mind about teachings methods. First is the USDF Pyramid of Training, which works the horse and riding up the training tree: The training tree starts with Rhythm and Relaxation. However, Lauren Baker of Dressage for Mere Mortals writes that … Continue reading →

Fun Video Friday: Leg Aids

This Fun Video Friday’s pick is from the Randi Thompson Youtube Station. It is about leg aids, in particular about using your calf instead of your heel to ask for forward motion. At least watch the first few minutes, as she gives a great example of talking the rider through using her calf and alternating leg use. If you … Continue reading →