Instruction

[mickey]

What would you say are the most important qualities in an instructor?

I have had many flatwork instructors over many years. I really loved my lessons with a classically trained dressage judge because she explained anatomy and movement and principles to me. For me that was so much better than just riding around the school having someone shout instructions at me. I suppose I like logic and need to understand 'why'.

What kind of instruction do you value and what are your experiences of different styles of instruction?

 

[JenHunt]

i'm like you, i need to know why... the instructor i have had most lessons with lets me think things out for myself too which is great. she taught me to ride when i was 6 on a really naughty 11.2 pony, and i still have lessons with her now 20yrs later.

she does shout across the arena telling me to do something, and once we've had a go at it, she'll pull in and ask why i thought that worked or didn't. i usually get the right answer eventually, then she'll explain in more accurate detail...

on example is a recent lesson i had....
my ID cob is a big, thickset lad, short coupled and not terribly well schooled, tho his paces are naturally rhythmic he struggles to keep his canter inside the school.
my instructor, lets call her A, shouted open both hands out and look up.... i tried and the canter improved, he was softer in his neck but i still couldn't keep the canter short enough to stay in the school.... so she told me to come back to walk on a 10m circle, and as i was coming onto the long stride to ask for canter again... keep hands wide and head up.... we did and the canter was beautiful onnce he got the idea.

when asked why i said i thought that keeping my head up helped keep me off his shoulders, opening my hands let him feel like there was somewhere for him to move to, and going walk to canter off a circle helped keep his hocks under him.
'you're almost right cam the reply' followed by a far more detailed explanation which i won't write here.

 

[Nats_uk]

I do appreciate a riding instructor that doesn't just tell you what to do but 'why' you are doing too. I prefer to know the whys of what my weight, position, even attitude are doing rather then just being told put leg here, move hand here etc.

I also like it when the instructor can/will get on and show you what you should be trying to achieve or what it looks like from the ground.

 

[happyhack]

I prefer someone who shows you how to do it and explains why you do it in that way. Dont really like having orders barked at me, after all, i'm here to learn!!

 

[Bossanova]

Good instructors are few and far between. They have to have a really good eye for both horse and rider, not be afraid to experiment a little and be very clear in their communications.

I've seen many examples on this forum of poor instruction, it generally takes the form of an instructor jumping ahead too far and ignoring basic principles.

 

[mickey]

QR
I have seen so many instructors (even those at very advanced levels in their own riding) that seem to just bark orders. For me, that doesn't seem very constructive?

 

[Nats_uk]

Have to say I also like instructors that 'know' your horse and its quirks - my instructor often says this is not the "correct" way but this is the best way it will work on my horse (he is a quirky beast!)

 

[Rachel1]

For me it's someone who has a very good eye for the horse and how the rider is influencing it, someone who is with you every step of the way and obv someone who clearly explains why, etc.
Also someone who is going to push me really hard, I want to improve myself as much as poss and it's great when someone cares enough about your riding to push you as far as they can (obv in a constructive way!).