What do you look for in a coach?

[CC123]

Hey!
What do you look for in a coach?
BHS qualifications? Other qualifications? Practical experience? BSc degree in equine science? Anything else?

Currently working towards my next steps in my career, and would like some input. Any replies would be so so appreciated. Thank you

 

[94lunagem]

I don’t have ridden horses anymore but back when I did it was as follows. Not necessarily in order of importance.

Location - getting to her yard easily and a reasonable journey time wise (or if not, could she come to me)

Facilities - I used to go to my coach, and a safe environment to unload/load, tack up and ride etc are factors

Cost

Availability - could she fit me in at times I could do i.e I work full time so regular slots needed to be evenings and weekends

Personable - it’s nice to learn from someone who seems genuinely interested in helping you achieve your goals, rather than someone going through the motions

Attitude - I wanted someone who would push me. But not scare me!

Personal/practical experience - I used to compete (dressage) and someone who had been there and done it can be helpful in terms of warm up tips and ring craft

Insurance

No ego - my horses and I had our limits (affiliated Ele) and someone who was able to help us be our best at that level, and not be dismissive of limitations etc, was important to me.

Personally these were more important than particular BHS or degree qualifications, although I don’t mean to be dismissive of them for those who have worked hard to achieve them.

 

[Bobthecob15]

I would agree with the above post, coach availability first and foremost. Can they do evening or only teach during the day? Weekends etc? I work almost full time so need evening or weekends which a lot of coaches don’t do.

Do they come to you or do you have to go to them? Facilities lights on the arena etc if you go to them…

What is their reputation locally? Do they teach riding club/pony club etc

I would say qualifications come lower down my list! I actually have lessons from time to time with ladies who do not have any qualifications as such just lots of competition experience.

I am however definitely a leisure rider with low level aspirations, I think if I was looking at being more competitive I would be looking for someone with personal experience in that area of competition too.

 

[Red-1]

I have no idea what qualifications (or not!) my trainers have. It is of no importance to me at all. I do have them myself; BHS II, UKCC level 3, but got those for personal interest rather than to attract clients.

I like someone who 'gets' me and my horse. Someone who will allow us to develop rather than rush and force. Someone who understands that fun is first and progress second. Someone who is easy to book, good facilities, polite, allows 1001 questions. Someone who will accept when I say I've had enough for the day. I also prefer someone who can get on and demo at the level they are training at. When I taught I wouldn't ask a client to do anything I wasn't prepared to do myself.

 

[little_critter]

Someone who teaches me to evaluate the horse and how to improve / correct them.
There no point getting them going nicely in a lesson with the trainer saying “more this”, “ less that” if you don’t know how to repeat that when you ride on your own.

Edited to add, of course you don’t really know how a trainer teaches until you try them.
With respect to getting initial bookings, price, location and availability are the big factors.
I think I would also like to see how they ride too (eg videos on FB etc). If I don’t like their riding style then I’m unlikely to want to be taught by them. I do understand that putting out videos of your riding is a risky thing to do though, it opens you up to keyboard warriors.

 

[gallopingby]

Ability to coach/teach is far more important than paper qualifications. Some people have a talent for training, enjoy doing so and inspire confidence. Practical experience and having been out in the competition world at some point is necessary if that’s what your aim is. Because of the current trend to validate training / jump through hoops etc not all coaches will be considered ‘suitable’ however these may be the people with real ‘hands on’ experience who don’t have the inclination to join the current political systems but have a depth of knowledge that comes with years of experience.

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

I'm not bothered about qualifications as long as I feel like I'm learning and enjoy the lessons that works for me.

 

[eahotson]

My best ones I got by personal recommendations .

 

[Bonnie Allie]

Credentials - show don’t tell.

Critical thinking - don’t wheel out statements that mean nothing, creating transactional behaviour.

Communication - be clear, no jargon

Comprehension - if I’m asking you something or needing to give feedback that I’m not understanding, listen first, talk second but for goodness sake demonstrate you understand before you answer.

Qualifications - these are important to me. Experienced based learning is fabulous but formal qualifications tell me you have a basic understanding of methodologies, safety and communication.

Most importantly - the ability to use a phone, an appointment book and a watch. You will only ever turn up late once.

As Ive got older I’ve become really fussy about quality of coaching. I’ve paid for some really s*** clinics and lessons over the years. I can no longer be quiet and will challenge nonsense statements (politely and respectfullly) with a “can you explain that in a bit more depth please?” Its remarkable how many can’t or just waffle.

 

[MuddyMonster]

For me, someone who is horse-centric, ethical and will put the horse first as well as their experience and ability to communicate well.

My trainer specialises in rider & horse biomechanics which this is far more important than their traditional qualifications (they have BHS I believe) for me.

I'll take fewer lessons with someone really good than more lessons than someone more average. I'm really lucky I manage to get monthly lessons usually.

 

[Sealine]

I like someone who 'gets' me and my horse. Someone who will allow us to develop rather than rush and force. Someone who understands that fun is first and progress second. Someone who is easy to book, good facilities, polite, allows 1001 questions. Someone who will accept when I say I've had enough for the day. I also prefer someone who can get on and demo at the level they are training at. When I taught I wouldn't ask a client to do anything I wasn't prepared to do myself.

I no longer have a coach but what Red says above resonates with me. Unfortunately I find less instructors are prepared to get on a horse these days. I found it useful for the instructor to get a feel of what I was dealing with as a rider and what the horse is (or isn't) capable of when ridden correctly. Also, when I knew my horse was capable of something when ridden correctly I found I was more committed to making it happen when riding myself.

 

[J_sarahd]

Someone who understands me and my horse and knows how far to push us without either of us losing confidence. I’m a rider who really doesn’t believe in my ability and does underplay it a bit so I need someone who is a bit like no you can do this. My trainer is strict but sympathetic (if that makes sense!) and she’s someone I can really have a laugh with. I want to feel like I’m progressing but not that I want to cry after every lesson.

I also need someone who explains things properly. I’ve seen/heard too many trainers just say “do this” and doesn’t explain the how or the why. Similarly, I want a trainer who gives me homework! My trainer will end the session with a “work on this before next session” and it really helps the schooling sessions in between my lessons.

 

[CC123]

Thank you so much everyone, really really appreciate it

 

[JFTDWS]

Equestrian qualifications are pretty meaningless - in some situations they would probably be a negative - for me.

Attitude is probably the most important thing for me. The ethics of horsemanship and training would be one - very important - side of that.

The other is being wiling and able to communicate ideas in different ways for different students, being approachable for questions and open to discussion on how best to work together with the horse. That last part is mostly about neurodivergence, and also the adult amateur market where people have usually got old injuries and physical limitations that need a more flexible approach.

Sports psychology and confidence coaching is an area that has a pretty big market in the general horse owning population too.

 

[teapot]

I'm sometimes surrpised how few peope value having qualifications - it's not about the qualifications per se, it's about the fact someone has bothered to keep up their own development, knowledge and professional training (not to mention the requirements of such things like safeguarding and first aid if you're wanting to be on the APC list), especially in such an unregulated industry. CPD is expected in pretty much every other profession, why does the equestrian one devalue training and development so much?

Someone with multiple Olympic medals won't automatically equate to bringing out the best in someone and their horse either...

 

[Peglo]

Definitely a coach that is able to teach me and my horse in a way that suits us as a pair. I also don’t know what qualifications my favourite coaches have but they understand me and my horse. They know when to push us and when we’ve tried our best and we’ve reached our capabilities.

 

[MiJodsR2BlinkinTite]

I had an "Equine Mentor" when I first got my little "just-backed-and-riding-on" 4yo a few years ago now. It was actually the person who had backed her and the support I had at this crucial time was invaluable.

If looking for anyone now I would say the person needs to be able to correctly assess both horse & rider and be aware of the dynamics of the partnership. They need to be someone who has the ability to challenge you to step beyond your current comfort-zone; yet not push you too far so as to cause you to lose confidence.

An example of this is a lesson I had with my old boy (sadly no longer with me) when I first had him. As a "rider of a certain age" I hadn't done much in the way of lessons through the years, and certainly hadn't jumped for about 20yrs or so. During our first-ever session with this particular instructor she had me jumping confidently by the end of the session. She is renowned for being an excellent Instructor locally and this is why!

 

[MuddyMonster]

Re: the qualification question - for me, a bit of paper with a qualification doesn't automatically mean a good instructor, so it's not top of my list. If they have some great but if not, I'll take them on their merits.

I've done and do various additional qualifications at work, some have been key to my career, some not so pivotal but interesting and some have been a complete waste of my time and my employer's money to tick a box on a form somewhere or add a line to CV.

My instructor does have numerous qualifications and is forever doing something - they've studied a bit with a vet to help identify low level discomfort (not sure on the exact's there I have to admit), they've taken communication courses to learn to communicate more effectively with a broader range of people on top of their actual horse and rider training stuff. They are currently studying a psychology course of some description, I believe.

And they are fabulous and worth every single penny. But I've also had lessons with supposedly well qualified people that have been pretty rubbish.

 

[JFTDWS]

Safeguarding, first aid and CPD are all requirements of coaches within PC (and some other organisations) that don’t require qualifications. They’re all good things in a trainer, for whatever reason.

Fundamentally though I have some big issues with some of the training I’ve seen and experienced from instructors who have qualifications (usually historic, and not relevant to what may or may not be taught by that institution today) who do not move with the times, despite presumably fulfilling their CPD requirements. I’d rather watch them ride, teach and handle horses before I let them loose with my horse (or my brain).

 

[lme]

I don't care about qualifications but I do want someone horse friendly but also quite technical, with a good understanding of biomechanics. I ride for fun and they need to understand that training needs to be enjoyable for both me and my horses.

 

[ThreeFurs]

Someone who teaches me to evaluate the horse and how to improve / correct them.
There no point getting them going nicely in a lesson with the trainer saying “more this”, “ less that” if you don’t know how to repeat that when you ride on your own.

Edited to add, of course you don’t really know how a trainer teaches until you try them.
With respect to getting initial bookings, price, location and availability are the big factors.
I think I would also like to see how they ride too (eg videos on FB etc). If I don’t like their riding style then I’m unlikely to want to be taught by them. I do understand that putting out videos of your riding is a risky thing to do though, it opens you up to keyboard warriors.

So true. I've had five dressage coaches over 12 years, and, except for the first one, lovely riders themselves.

The one who has changed my riding for the better, the most, is my current one. She is a migrant Pom, BHSI level 3, then trained by Mary Wanless, then worked with the Bartles. She cancels lessons a lot, [!] but I persevere, as I know that I get so much from the lessons that do happen, that I can do our 'homework' for the next month and evaluate myself how we're going.

My first coach [when I was a recent returnee to owning/riding] never 'got' me or more importantly, my dear but clever gelding, a wb schoolmaster. She seemed to just get frustrated, and to dislike us. Also she didn't have the optimum personality type for teaching, being very introverted and paranoid. In her own riding I always though she looked very stiff and uncomfortable.

It came to a head when she heard I'd mentioned her name in an FB post on magnesium supplements for horses. It was terribly innocent, but she thought social media was the work of the devil and hit the roof. I ended it there.

Years later, while writing for the judge at my local dressage club, I watched in horror at her test as she tried to get piaffe by turning around and wacking her horse repeatedly on the top of its bum.