What is the method for teaching deaf riders in a riding lesson?

[Red-1]

Hi,
I am sorry your current experiences have been less than encouraging.

I have taught someone with hearing loss, and we did most of the lessons one on one. I would have time in the middle, where we discussed what we were going to do then she would go and ride it. I would film the work on the Ipad, as I could not give correction as she went.

When she came back, she would tell me what she thought, I would say what I thought, then we would look at the recording. In fact it was so useful I took the Ipad to other lessons too (thank you OH).

If there was something urgent I could also use big hand signals, we did have a set of agreed ones, but mostly I fond it better to allow the work/exercise to be completed and then we would look and improve.

For group lessons I don't give too much individual correction anyway, preferring one on one for individual improvement, and group lessons are a bit more upbeat, doing floorplans to build confidence and accuracy, to have bonding and having riders finding they are doing stuff they would be in a fuddle about if on their own. For group lessons I would ride a horse, and be next to the person, so much of the lesson may be in pairs. That way I can shout for the rest of the ride, and be more tactile with the person next to me.

I would also use a radio mic if that were suitable, I have done it by calling mob to mob, and having an earpiece.

It horrifies me the people who have been shouted at in public, making them feel embarrassed. Kudos to the trainer who has learned sign language too. I have used written communication when studying the Ipad, but have not mastered sign language!

 

[gnubee]

If you are just trying to build your confidence back on a horse I would go for a group lesson. You learn as much by watching others as through specific feedback, and it's generally pretty easy to just copy the group- often I couldn't hear in big groups if I wasn't near the instructor, but it's easy to figure out. I would mention your hearing when booking so they can recommend a group where it won't be an issue (e.g. One of mine used to warm up jumping like in a warm up ring where you just called the jump which might not be ideal for you) and again to the instructor when you arrive so they can make minor modifications as necessary. It's a much cheaper investment in a group to see if you get on with the instructor and the set up, and you could then look at private lessons once you are more comfortable with the instructor. I honestly think you could have been HI in 95% of the group lessons I ever rode in and no one would notice. If you lack confidence riding in front of others (and don't want to end up on the big safe cob) I would start in a group just below your proper level so you can be confident that you are one of the more capable in the class.

 

[Grajo]

I know this topic is prehistoric, but I, myself, am profoundly deaf and have no problems with the 3 instructors who have taught me at Fort Widley Equestrian Centre. Mostly they use "hand" signals like pointing, pulled up, stop, walk, etc If I don't understand something important, they will write down (on clipboard, using 'SHARPIE' pen ink - easy to see from distance). Most if the times, they use "hand signals, and they have to walk around the arena unlike most of the "hearing" clients where the instructors sat on the corner and shouted lol

I haven't done in a Group session - all of my lessons were done privately (one2one).