How do you teach someone to ride??

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Starbucks

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I've ridden all my life and it's just second nature to me, I never had riding lessons when I was learning (just got on with it and fell off a lot!) but now I have the challenge of teaching OH to ride - on something that's not 100% trusted for a leaner!

OH is a big guy so we only have my hunter, Badger, who's big enough for him. Badger is sensibly enough in the school and on the roads but would be too much for him in fields intil he can ride well.

So - lesson 1 - we got him doing almost rising trot in the school and went for a hack round the lanes and did a big long trot. But I'm not sure what to do next?? Help!

x
 
I wouldn't even think about trotting until your OH has complete control in walk. I would spend the first few lessons, boring as it may be, ensuring he fully understands how to use his hands, legs and seat to start, stop and give direction. If you are going to teach him then you may as well do it properly from scratch and ensure that Badger doesn't get his mouth pulled around. Once OH has that down to a T then move on to trotting and go through the whole thing again. Riding school horses do become a little numb to bad riding, regardless of whether or not they are schooled in between by experienced riders, a 'private' horse may not be quite so accommodating so don't take any risks. Good luck with it and, after driving lessons with my OH many years ago, I don't envy you at all!:)
 
When my mate was teaching me to ride she did pretty much what you did to start except she set up about 4 cones in the middle of the school and made me wiggly worm through them to learn steering, stopping at each end to make sure I had breaks. We did it in walk, then trot but instead of stopping we went to walk and back up to trot. We kept it all loopy and big until it was all OK.

Can't remember what we did after that! Circles I think building up to canter so we weren't cantering in a straight line.
 
I'm teaching a relative's little girl to ride at the mo, we are still in walk, this week is the third lesson. Just want her to keep practicing changing direction, halting, walking etc. when we go on to trot I will probably get her to practice standing in her stirrups while walking and rise and trot while the pony is still walking.. I don't want her bouncing too much on ponies back.
 
I'd alternate roadwork, school & lunging with walk & trot with you being in control of the horse. Then when he's ready, canter on the lunge (assuming horse too fast to run alongside with). Then he learns the basic aids to stay in control in walk & trot in an enclosed space, then canter off lunge in an enclosed space. Then, when he's able to circle etc in canter with some vague control let him canter out hacking.
 
Well that's what I thought, I expected Badger to not do anything for him really! But I got him doing circles, changing direction etc. making him walk on (insead of just stoping by me!) and all that went really well so we had a little trot, first one was interesting but then he seemed to get it and horse seemed to actually try for him!

Is it just a case of "heals down, shorten your rains, sit up"?
 
i started my ex on the lunge, and made sure he could walk, trot and canter without stirrups and reins. Yes I was mean but I backed that horse and he had a soft mouth and no way did I want that hung on to. I lunged him for several lessons. letting him off the lunge everynow and then in the school He gained balance and feel and then I started to teach him to jump. again on the lunge initially then loose. It worked so well
 
littlelegs said:
I'd alternate roadwork, school & lunging with walk & trot with you being in control of the horse. Then when he's ready, canter on the lunge (assuming horse too fast to run alongside with). Then he learns the basic aids to stay in control in walk & trot in an enclosed space, then canter off lunge in an enclosed space. Then, when he's able to circle etc in canter with some vague control let him canter out hacking.
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Sounds a good plan. I don't lunge my horse though so not sure if that would work.. and I'm completely clueless in telling someone how to make a horse canter!?
 
if you are really that unsure without a clue how to teach and explain the aids then shouldnt you invest in some lessons at a riding school on school masters for his safety
 
curio said:
if you are really that unsure without a clue how to teach and explain the aids then shouldnt you invest in some lessons at a riding school on school masters for his safety
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Well that might be the sensible thing to do - if I wanted my OH to be bored to tears and thought by someone who can't ride! I'm sorry, but anyone who can actually ride would not teach in a riding school!! I'd rather take a chance.
 
Starbucks said:
Well that might be the sensible thing to do - if I wanted my OH to be bored to tears and thought by someone who can't ride! I'm sorry, but anyone who can actually ride would not teach in a riding school!! I'd rather take a chance.
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There are plenty of people on here who can ride very well indeed and work in riding schools - KirstyHen for one. I think she is a beautiful, talented rider. She is just the first that came to mind but there are more. Nice to know what you think of their riding.

ETA Charlie76, is she another one who can't 'actually' ride then? :confused: Because I would love to ride as badly as her :rolleyes:
 
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I'm sure she's cool. Not having a go at anyone!

From my experience riding lessons are super super boring!!! I'm more for leaving my OH to getting a feel of the horse. I can get a tune out of most horses and they go well for me naturally, no lessons!
 
Starbucks said:
I'm sure she's cool. Not having a go at anyone!

From my experience riding lessons are super super boring!!! I'm more for leaving my OH to getting a feel of the horse. I can get a tune out of most horses and they go well for me naturally, no lessons!
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I think you're brave (or mad) to be teaching your OH!

Do you have access to fairly safe hacking (lanes etc if fields aren't a great idea yet) It can be a lot easier to just give subtle tips out hacking and it doesn't feel so much like you are being taught!

Obviously needs the very basics first to be 'safe' but sounds like he is a quick learner.
 
Starbucks said:
I'm sure she's cool. Not having a go at anyone!

From my experience riding lessons are super super boring!!! I'm more for leaving my OH to getting a feel of the horse. I can get a tune out of most horses and they go well for me naturally, no lessons!
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So all the top riders never had lessons from riding instructors then?!

What a strange comment to make!! :confused:
 
Starbucks said:
Well that might be the sensible thing to do - if I wanted my OH to be bored to tears and thought by someone who can't ride! I'm sorry, but anyone who can actually ride would not teach in a riding school!! I'd rather take a chance.
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The gift of teaching is a rare and special thing. Do not assume that because someone is talented at something that they are able to convey that knowledge to someone else. Communicating how to do something is what is important, and with riding, a reliable horse to help with the journey to competence.
A good instructor will pay many dividends in the end.
 
Starbucks said:
Well that might be the sensible thing to do - if I wanted my OH to be bored to tears and thought by someone who can't ride! I'm sorry, but anyone who can actually ride would not teach in a riding school!! I'd rather take a chance.
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LOL, I was an instructress in a riding school (I can ride too, quite well actually although with a dodgy position unless I really concentrate!!) I really would suggest you get OH sound on all aids and balance BEFORE starting to trot, even if you are in control there is the chance of him yanking or balancing himself on the horse's mouth(unless you go with Bosworth's suggestion - I like that idea)
 
Starbucks said:
I'm sure she's cool. Not having a go at anyone!

From my experience riding lessons are super super boring!!! I'm more for leaving my OH to getting a feel of the horse. I can get a tune out of most horses and they go well for me naturally, no lessons!
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FWIW I never had a lesson either and I have only ever had one fall, when I was pregnant and having my last ride til after the baby, I was being a little too 'careful'. I could ride pretty much anything and was starting and re-schooling other people's problem ponies by the time I was 13. When I went for my interview at the riding school the horse I was put on wouldn't do a thing for me, the girl before me had the same problem, she battered the horse I didn't, I got the job and then I started to 'really' learn to ride. That is when I learned that you can never know it all, this is why the top riders in the world still have regular lessons and why they stay at the top of their game.

Having said all that, I think you are quite capable of teaching your OH to ride but just think you need to ensure you have the basics right before you move on. Why not buy a good book on teaching to ride, there are some good ones out there.
 
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