PTT - Advice?

Foxford

Foxford

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I'll qualify this post by saying I know very little about the PTT so I'm sorry in advance for any stupid questions!

I passed my stage 2 earlier this year and wasn't sure whether I would carry on with the exams straight away or wait a while. So I printed off the syllabus from the BHS website and had a look. Now, I think this is where the stupid bit comes in!!

I thought the PTT was to prove you could teach very basically so that you can start your portfolio. What I'm confused about is how you're supposed to get decent teaching practice if you're not qualified? A bit like a chicken/egg scenario really - you need experience to take the exam but you need qualifications to get experience...

I don't work with horses professionally, so what is the best way of getting the experience to take the exam? I was thinking of maybe doing a course at a BHS training centre, but they are expensive and I think that's probably not enough. Or, do I pester my friends to let me give them a quick lesson?

Any thoughts welcome! :)
 
Foxford said:
I'll qualify this post by saying I know very little about the PTT so I'm sorry in advance for any stupid questions!

I passed my stage 2 earlier this year and wasn't sure whether I would carry on with the exams straight away or wait a while. So I printed off the syllabus from the BHS website and had a look. Now, I think this is where the stupid bit comes in!!

I thought the PTT was to prove you could teach very basically so that you can start your portfolio. What I'm confused about is how you're supposed to get decent teaching practice if you're not qualified? A bit like a chicken/egg scenario really - you need experience to take the exam but you need qualifications to get experience...

I don't work with horses professionally, so what is the best way of getting the experience to take the exam? I was thinking of maybe doing a course at a BHS training centre, but they are expensive and I think that's probably not enough. Or, do I pester my friends to let me give them a quick lesson?

Any thoughts welcome! :)
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I did mine - albeit decades ago by teaching at a local riding school. I initially got the lead rein beginners to do and then progressed through the levels.

If you can find a good centre that trains people for these exams then go and watch lessons, take notes, listen to the commands and go home and learn all the aids very well.

Commands for lessons are important as you are there to teach the rider and give them experience in applying the aids and getting a result. I cannot bear instructors who just tell their riders to "Trot" or "Canter" - as an instructor you are there to teach them HOW.

For example - you have a ride walking around the outside of the school and want them to trot.
"Whole ride - Prepare to trot" - Check and correct you position, Shorten your reins as your pony will raise it's head as it goes into trot, tap with your legs, and Trot On"

This has told the ride what you want them to do, reminded them to make sure they are sitting correctly (self discipline) and told them How to accomplish the transition. If you are consistant with the command then soon your riders will respond automatically when you ask them to prepare.

When you get a chance to teach, find out what the class already has done and then plan your lesson accordingly. When I was first teaching I found it hard to know what to do to take up the whole 1hr lesson, now 1hr never seems long enough
 
Alot of riding schools especially these days have instructors who arent qualified. Not always a good thing imo but great for those who are looking to work their way up. X
 
I could be wrong - have bee out of the BHS system for a very very long time, but I thought the requirement to log a million hours teaching had been superseded by the coaching portfolio?

OP, even if you can still do it by logging hours, you can't just give your friends lessons to get the hours in - you need to do them in a BHS approved centre.
 
Only skimmed replies, so sorry if its already been said.

You're right that the PTT is abut basic teaching. safe instruction is the key thing, much more than the quality of tuition. However, experience shows, the time frames for your exam lessons are short, and you need to feel confident in controlling a ride, keeping them occupied etc.
You can start your portfolio ( logging hours went out a few years back) at any time - eg if you have four regular clients, you could build that up before you take your exam, or you can start it afterwards - you will be sent it once you book in for your PTT, and you can do whichever you like :)


In terms of gaining experience, I would approach local BHS centres, explain that you need teaching practice and ask to assist with lessons initially, with a view to being observed taking lessons when they feel happy you are capable. Contact local PC, and see if they could do with a hand - if you're doing regular things for them you will need to do a safeguarding children day, and attend a PC accreditation day.

Many places run PTT training days, I just had a look on the BHSwebsite, but there's not much info there - could try calling them and see if anything is coming up in your area? They are run with examiners, so you get feedback on what is required.
Alternatively, look for freelance instructors on the BHS register. Many are happy to help clients towards their PTT.
Bear in mind there is no legal requirement for people to have ANY qualification to teach - I'm not saying this is good, but it does mean there is nothing to stop you helping people.
If you approached a local RC or PC (bear child protection in mind) and said you need practice doing lunge lessons and group lessons, would they have any members happy to be your guinea pigs free of charge, you might well find some happy punters - I does depend how much teaching you've already done - practice on friends first if you can :). Good luck :)
 
The PTT is totally different these days, and the emphasis is on "coaching" and there is a lot of theory involved too. I'd recommend finding a course or a BHS training day (one of the current CPD topics is teaching children to ride, which would be useful for anyone working towards their PTT) or maybe booking a private session with someone who trains people for the PTT. It is very specific now so make sure you find someone who is totally up to speed with the current syllabus. Many of the colleges run courses and they are not all expensive.

Any specific queries you can pm me (or Ruth on here - sorry for volunteering you lol!).

For teaching practice, yes, teach your friends or ask instructors if you can watch them teach, have lessons yourself (always a good way to see which approaches you like) and spectate at clinics.
 
Thanks for the advice everyone - much appreciated!

There is a centre near me that has proposed weekly training sessions (depends on numbers whether they will actually run though) so I've registered my interest there. I'll have a look to see if any of the colleges are doing anything - the ones I've seen so far are all during the day though... I think probably I will book a BHS day course soon and then after I've got a bit more experience, do another one. There is a local approved riding school who gave me a few lessons before my stage 2 who were really helpful, I'll see if they wouldn't mind me doing a few lead rein lessons and seeing where that goes.

:)
 
Foxford said:
Thanks for the advice everyone - much appreciated!

There is a centre near me that has proposed weekly training sessions (depends on numbers whether they will actually run though) so I've registered my interest there. I'll have a look to see if any of the colleges are doing anything - the ones I've seen so far are all during the day though... I think probably I will book a BHS day course soon and then after I've got a bit more experience, do another one. There is a local approved riding school who gave me a few lessons before my stage 2 who were really helpful, I'll see if they wouldn't mind me doing a few lead rein lessons and seeing where that goes.

:)
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Sounds really great - good luck and keep us posted. You can do a lot without support, such as the reading requirements and the more of that you know the easier the teaching becomes.
 
I have worked as an instructor full time, and now just teach a few hours a week. I only have my stage 1 and riding and road safety. I always intended to do my full AI but once I was working full time teaching I lost the motivation and now its not worth the hassle for the few hours that I do. Lots of really good yards will let you teach under supervision. I usually get supervised for a few hours when I start at somewhere new, and once they know I'm competent I'm left alone to get on with it. I am very experienced though, even if I dont have the qualifications, but I would imagine you would find a decent school to let you teach, even if you are supervised and dont get paid a great deal :)
 
Thanks Dexter,
That's reassuring - I had the idea that noone would let me teach without the actual qualification!! I guess with all the legalities and insurance issues I thought it would be harder to get experience.

Will keep you all posted how I'm getting on! :D
 
I'm about to order some books - and now my question is which ones?!

The new, revised BHS training manual looks the obvious choice but what about another one? Is the Hazel Reed book relevant anymore or is it not up to date? Also should I get the themed lesson plans?

Thoughts on the ones to start off with would be great! I don't want to spend a fortune and then find that I don't use or need some of them. :)
 
I'd recommend the new Manual of Equitation (edited by Patrick Print) as being up to date and very relevant to the PTT syllabus. There is masses of material on the BHS website as well.
 
Thanks Rowreach,
I've downloaded all the materials from the website so I'll have a look at the manual. I've watched a few of Patricks lessons - he is brilliant!
 
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