Instructor Certification Scholarship

Just got this in the email… The EQUUS Foundation is pleased to announce the PATH Intl. Champion of Equine Service Certification Scholarship to financially assist prospective instructors who achieve champion status to obtain a PATH Intl. Registered Instructor Certification. The EQUUS Foundation will award one scholarship to cover the registration fee up to $1,000 for the recipient to attend a PATH Intl. … Continue reading →

Posting

There’s only one way to skin a cat…and a million ways to teach posting. Here are a bunch of ideas from various sources that I’ve somewhat organized for all the what’s, why’s and how’s of posting. Posting Trot What avoid every other bump by rising as the horse steps with one diagonal pair be able to … Continue reading →

The Intake Assessment

I recently had a reader ask me about Intake Assessments. I thought this would be a good opportunity to open it up for discussion! The following is information I’ve compiled from my PATH Intl. Instructor Certification Workshop, an article in STRIDES Spring 2011 “The Assessment Process”, and the Preparatory TRI Course at HorseCoursesOnline.com Please leave comments and … Continue reading →

Lesson Plan Template

I just found this in my notes from a conference. I like the fresh perspective it offers to The Basic Lesson Plan. Lesson Plan Template Transition Calm Down Relax & Stretch Review & Remember New Skill Practice, Figure it out Have Fun (Activity) Hugs & Bonding Do you have any lesson plan templates to share? … Continue reading →

Up Up Down

This is a handy little exercise: Up Up Down. When posting at the trot, the rider should go “up down up down” to the beat of the trot. After they have warmed up a few laps of this, ask the rider to go “up up down” – that is, stand for two beats and sit for … Continue reading →

Teaching tips: “First…then…”

This simple technique has helped me a lot. In any situation a rider doesn’t want to cooperate or is confused, explain “First [do this], then [do that].” Then stick to your guns. Repeat and be patient. For example, I have some young riders that get easily distracted or would rather collect beanie babies than practice … Continue reading →

Slow Down and Speed Up (Rating Speed)

This seemed like a good skill to teach before allowing the independent trot. How to slow down and speed up! Also known as, rating your horses speed. What Rating your horse’s speed = using the Slow Down and Speed Up cues to keep him one consistent speed Why To be comfortable to ride and easy … Continue reading →

Arena Figures

What are Figures? Figures are “prescribed paths a horse is ridden on in a riding arena…[which] provides markers that can help indicate the correctness in the size or shape of a figure” (wikipedia). Why gives rider feedback about their own skills (a poor circle may indicate the rider sits crooked) gives rider feedback about their … Continue reading →