How to Evaluate a Lesson?

[palo1]

It depends...on the context of the lesson; whether that is with an established or new to you trainer, whether the lesson is specific to a skill or discipline etc. When I teach I ask first: what would you like to take away from this lesson? If the learner isn't sure or is in a proper muddle then I will make suggestions based on them taking away 1 new idea/strategy, 1 set of something that has been further practised/consolidated and 1 that is manageable to take away to do/homework. But that is usually with a learner that is familiar to me. With a new learner or for a 1 off I tend to ask 'What do you want to take away?' If there is more than one thing then I will spend a bit of time working out which is either the biggest 'problem/priority' or which is going to see the most effective use of the time. I always try to spell out what I am thinking and ask how that might work with my learner's own agenda.

A trainer should always check with the pupil/learner what has been 'achieved' at the end of the session though this can be hard to make objective as students are desperate to please unfortunately!! Sometimes you have to ask more directly - 'What hasn't worked for you today?' You hope to establish quite quickly, confidence that those conversations can be had and are part of the session and dialogue that goes with it. I think it really helps for both learner and trainer to know what an agreed agenda for a session is at the beginning as that tends to result, more often, in both real and perceived progress. I can often see progress in areas that my learners are either not worried about/are not 'important' to them but are relevant to their overall developing skill but from their perspective, me focussing on that is not what they want a lesson for!! I try to identify those other positives whilst also respecting the things that learners want to focus on. Sometimes I will say that I would offer a different priority but it really does have to be an open and comfortable dialogue.

 

[daffy44]

I teach, and I am taught, so hopefully I have some perspective from both sides. Firstly, no, not every lesson can be light bulb moments and unicorns, thats impossible, there will be lessons where you struggle and lessons where you plateau, and both are worthwhile and necessary for progress. But you should always understand what you were trying to achieve in your lesson (even if you didnt actually achieve it at the time), and you should always have a plan on what you need to be working on to improve, and homework exercises if necessary.

Also continuity is key, you will progress further and faster if you have fewer lessons with the same trusted and experienced coach, than if you have lessons more frequently with a mix and match approach to who is teaching you. It may well take time for you to find the right instructor for you, the one who suits you and your horse, is able to help you achieve your goals, and whose communication style suits you. This is not a dig at you AE, I know you said your regular coach was unavailable, but possibly you would have been better off waiting for your regular coach rather than having a lesson from someone who didnt really suit you.

Next, communication is key, if you are being asked to do an exercise and you dont really see the point of it, your horse doesnt feel great, and its just not working for you, dont keep dong it, speak! Ask your instructor what you are supposed to be gaining from the exercise and explain how it is not feeling good for you. Any good instructor will really welcome this, and if they are unable to explain clearly to you what the point is, and what it should feel like/improve etc then that tells you they are not a good instructor. Also they should be able to adapt things to achieve the same result using a different exercise if the first one didnt work for you. But none of this is possible without good, honest two way communication. Its so common that people complain about a lesson afterwards, but say nothing during the lesson, this isnt fair on either the rider, horse or instructor, you cant expect mind reading, communication is vital.

I think this is again where continuity comes in, if you really know and understand your instructors methods and ethos then its easier to trust the process, and its easier for the instructor to understand how you like to learn, and therefore what is the best way to approach things with you to maximise your learning. For example AE, I know you say you are very literal, thats fine and I'm sure your regular instructor understand this and is careful with how they phrase things for you, but someone who doesnt know you may teach in a way that is unsutable for you and cause unnecessary confusion.

 

[Ample Prosecco]

Lots of thought provoking comments. I took feedback on board last year that consistency matters so I haven’t been chopping and changing as much as I used to. I’m fact I have far fewer lessons overall as I’m working on stuff independently now. Joe is my only flatwork trainer now.

Having said that, new lessons can be good sometimes I think. I tried someone new late last year. Mainly because she taught at a venue I was planning to compete at so felt that could be useful. It was a brilliant lesson. She didn’t know me or Lottie and fresh eyes were great. Learnt loads. But she’s too far away for regular lessons.

Anyway today my RI put on a clinic and I got a place. It reminded me how great a good lesson is. All of those items in my original list ticked off!

I also talked to her about wanting consistency and we’ve agreed to sit down and figure out a mid week date we can do regularly.

Maybe I over-analyse but I do think it’s worth not assuming that frustrating or confusing lessons are poor. I see people dismissing Joe lessons because ‘we only walked’ etc and I don’t want to make that mistake. But safe to say I do think the instructor was pretty ineffective and I definitely won’t go back.

 

[Red-1]

I have been exploring new ideas with BH. I love my Joe lessons, they have set us on track. But, if I only have lessons with him, I lose the contrast. I like having new ideas. The key thing is that I trust Joe to keep us on track, and I tell him what I am doing in other lessons. I trust that if I get it wrong, he will help me put it back together. He is a trusted sounding board for new ideas as well as the person who is keeping us on track together while developing our abilities.

By sifting through contrast, I am evaluating what each person says and trying it on for size. I either like it or think it isn't helpful. Sometimes I think it is downright wrong. I never think Joe's information is wrong.

If I were just looking to train BH, then I would just have Joe. It would be the most efficient way to do it. But, I am looking to give myself an all round education, to be able to spot stuff that doesn't work as well as stuff that does. I think having a new perspective can be helpful, even if it is just to decide it isn't for you and/or it doesn't work with your current regime. Other trainers also come with different venues, which they help you navigate. However, I give the flag that I am quite brutal to ditch people who I think would be harmful. I have stopped mid lesson if someone is trying to bully me or BH.

On Wednesday I had a lesson with a new trainer. He taught me to teach BH to lower his head when ridden. It has taken 3 sessions. It was hugely useful today, in the wind.

It is sometimes difficult to find a trainer who is secure enough to help you navigate ideas. I am very lucky to have Joe and can only hope to continue to be a student of his.