Tagged with Aids

The Equicube

I recently stumbled across this teaching tool on the interwebs: The Equicube. It’s a tool that strengthens the rider’s core and helps them find correct posture and ride from their center.  This is it, as shown on their website: It seems to me the biggest benefits for riding instruction, both for TR and able bodied … Continue reading

Skill: Timing the Application of Aids

I recently read an interesting article called “Kindergarten Exercises to Learn the Aids” by George Williams with Beth Baumert on Dressage Today, which you can read by clicking here. It is a series of exercises “for horses and riders needing to learn more about the rhythmic application and timing of aids”. I thought the exercises … Continue reading

Teach to the Highest Level

Today’s Teaching Tip comes from the Advanced Workshop I attended, regarding teaching to groups with very different functioning levels of riders: Teach to the Highest Level, Then Adapt.  (As opposed to teaching to the lowest level of rider ability in  group.) The reasoning behind this is that by teaching to the highest level, the lower … Continue reading

Seat Aids – to energize & slow down

Today I researched and taught the seat aids. It worked out pretty well, and I got some great feedback and ideas from a friend, so I thought I’d share! The Seat Aids Helpful Warmups Shoulder circles backward – tends to be tight – one at a time then together “growing taller in your spine” Lift … Continue reading

Skills Articles

I recently discovered this list of articles about riding. It’s a great collection of short 1-2 page articles about many of the skills you teach your students. They come from the Meredith Manor equestrian college and their school of thought. I have found them very helpful and easy to understand. Click below or use the … Continue reading

Tips & Quips: for Basic Riding Skills

Last year I took some lessons at Cross Winds Farms, a hunter/jumper barn, and learned some great tips & quips from some of their teachers that I want to share. Keep them in your back pocket for when you need them! One teacher would quiz me on the first few basics while walking around the … Continue reading

The Natural Aids

I have learned through watching others to teach students how to ride a horse in an order like this: 1. how to woah (pull reins back to hips) 2. how to walk on (say “walk on”, give a squeeze, hands forward – number of aids depends on student) 3. how to steer (pull direct rein … Continue reading