Two Person Drill Team Pattern

I recently made this drill team pattern for two of my riders. They performed it in the Fun Show and it looked great so I thought I’d share, since I couldn’t find any two person drill team patterns out in internet land. Feel free to use it! Things to teach for drill team: how to … Continue reading →

Pumpkin Game

My friend Carrie sent me this great pumpkin game! I can’t wait to try it. Thanks Carrie! Supplies mini pumpkin gourds – write on the bottom the skills your riders are working on The Pumpkin Game Put them on the fence posts. Have students ride to each one, Work on remembering which pumpkins haven’t been … Continue reading →

Carrie’s Treasure Chest of Activities

I am SO excited to share this with you! I did part of my Instructor in Training hours under a wonderful woman named Carrie who started HorsePower Therapeutic Riding. One of the things I learned most from her was to think creatively and educationally about the activities you use to teach riding skills. Recently she agreed to … Continue reading →

Shapes Pattern

Here is a simple game I did a few weeks ago. It can be modified in a million ways! Props: 3 upright or T poles in triangle 4 tall cones in square 8 small cones in circle 4 cards depicting the shapes to be made around the items Arena setup should be as follows, with … Continue reading →

Teaching Tips: Using Words

I did part of my Instructor in Training hours under the a wonderful woman named Carrie who started HorsePower Therapeutic Riding. One of the things I learned from her are a few simple techniques that empower riders to use their words and/or communication skills to do things for themselves. I wanted to share with you some … Continue reading →

Veterans Insight

At the veteran’s conference I attended last month someone mentioned that the Wounded Warriors Project has a lot of demographic data on their website. I finally looked it up, and this is a WONDERFUL report from their 2012 survey that I wanted to share. Those of you involved in veterans programs, it gives you fantastic … Continue reading →

Free Online “Perspectives on Disability” Class

This was recently brought to my attention: Registration is now open for Perspectives on Disability, Northern Illinois University’s first-ever Massive Open Online Course (MOOC). The free online course was developed to raise awareness about disability, a fact of life for millions of people around the world, from personal, philosophical, sociological, psychological, medical, and legal perspectives. … Continue reading →

Trail Pattern & Leg Yield

Yesterday was the last day of the session, so I wanted to do something extra fun. It was also very hot, so we couldn’t trot. Therefore I made a long trail course! I used it to teach them various obstacles they might encounter on a real outdoor trail ride, as well as work on the specific … Continue reading →

Skills Curriculum for Veterans Program

As instructors we are to think in the short term with lesson plans and objectives, and long term with goals and curriculum. Both are forms of skill progression – but one is focused on today, and one is focused on the whole session or year. A friend sent me this curriculum that she has used … Continue reading →