Is Your Instructor Right For You?

From the August 2013 issue of The Stable Magazine – www.thestablemagazine.com/august2013

Perhaps you take a group lesson, and you feel as though you're not your instructor's favourite pupil?

Are you berated for asking questions in your lessons - or do you leave the arena more confused than when you started? 

A good instructor will work with you to help you achieve your goals with your riding.

Sometimes, personality clashes get in the way of good instruction - if this is the case, it might be time to ask the question - is your instructor right for you?

A good instructor will work with you to help you achieve your goals with your riding.  

A great instructor will encourage and motivate you. 

The best kind of instructor will inspire you, revive your passion for the sport and help you chase your dreams.

Teaching is an art form. You might know a very skilled rider with a talent for fixing problems. Or a well accomplished rider who moves up the grades and progresses at a phenomenal rate. But that doesn’t make a good teacher. To teach effectively, your instructor should be able to explain things to you in a way that you understand - demonstrating new skills, explaining why you should change the position of your lower leg, or how you can more effectively use your seat. Some riders are also gifted teachers. Not all gifted riders make good teachers. 

Great instructors will inspire and motivate you to improve. They’ll be able to give you criticism without you taking it as a personal attack. They establish your strengths and weaknesses - both yours, and your horses and create a plan to improve your skills. Great instructors will also push you - and it’s up to you to place your trust in your instructor, believe in yourself and your horse, and be ready and willing to give new things a go, and face new challenges with positive enthusiasm.

Instructors have a tough job, and often get a bad wrap. As a student, you need to be open to constructive criticism and accept that you are there to learn. If you disagree with something your instructor says or does, speak up! Ask why. Ask how. Ask questions. It’s a two way street - and communication between instructor and student is important. Your instructor should be good natured and approachable.

It’s important to make an effort to look at things from your instructor’s point of view. If you’re disinterested, disagreeable and unwilling to learn, your instructor’s job can be extremely difficult. Put yourself in your instructors shoes. How would you like to be the one teaching you and your horse? Be the best student you can be - listen, learn and get your money’s worth!

Confidence

Sometimes, instructors can play a part when riders lose their confidence. Either helping them to re-gain lost confidence, or sometimes, inadvertently assisting in the loss of confidence. it’s important to realise that your instructor should push you to achieve. A good instructor would never ask you to do anything that may be unsafe - so if you do trust your instructor, be prepared to try new things and to step it up a notch. 

If your instructor is only serving to decrease your confidence, speak up. You should be able to address any and all of your riding problems with your instructor. He or she most likely did not study telepathy, and unless you communicate, your instructor may not be aware of the problems you are having. 

Asking Questions

Your instructor should never become frustrated when you ask questions. Patience is a virtue, and your instructor will need plenty of it.

When is it time to consider a new instructor?

If your instructor is downright rude, shows little regard for safety, or you feel that you aren’t getting benefit from your lessons, it might be time to find a new instructor. When it comes down to it, you are the client, and you should leave your lessons happy. 

How to get in your instructor's 'good books'..

Do your homework

Sure, it’s not like high school with written tests and assessments, but you can always get more out of your lessons. Practice your take-home exercises. Spend a bit of time googling what you were working on in your lesson. Think about what each exercise is aiming to improve, and think about what you and your horse could improve upon.

Be courteous and respectful 

Manners go a long way towards building a respectful student/teacher relationship. You should always appreciate your instructor and act accordingly.

Be on time

Yes, things happen. Life gets in the way of horses. There are days where Spotty baulks at the idea of loading onto the float. You’re late. Sometimes, these things happen. But you’ll find the more they do, the less patient your instructor will be. Be on time. Be organised. Better yet - be early. If your lesson starts at 10am, this is not the time you should be driving horse and float down the driveway, or setting out across the paddocks, halter and leadrope in hand. By 10am you should be in the arena, tacked up, gear checked and ready to warm up.

Be interested 

You’re there to learn. Lessons are supposed to be about improving your riding and your horse. If you can’t show your instructor that you’re interested in learning and that you care about what she is saying, then perhaps you shouldn’t be taking lessons in the first place.

No talking in class! 

Leaning over to speak to your class mates is not only rude - but shows your instructor you have more important matters on your mind than what he or she is teaching. The same goes for talking in a line up, at a show, at adult riders - anywhere. It’s disrespectful. Not only that, you’re paying for instruction - and talking over your instructor or not being a part of the lesson is throwing your ‘hard-earned’ down the drain. If you’d rather gossip with your mates - do it on your own time.

Show initiative & motivation

Don’t just do what you’re told. Do that, of course - but try to raise the bar. Be enthusiastic and motivated. This applies both on and off the horse. Does your instructor need a hand packing away the trotting poles after your lesson? 

Take pride in yourself and your horse

Keep your gear in good condition, and put some effort into your presentation. No, we don’t mean plaiting up for your lesson - we mean making sure your tack is clean and in good working order, that you and your horse are presentable.

Have a good attitude

A good attitude and a bit of maturity will get you everywhere. Don’t be a spoilt rider. Don’t think you know more than any other pupil. Don’t be the drama queen. Just accept that every rider has shortcomings. Put your ego aside, open your mind and take in all you can. Pitch in and lend a hand, help set up jumps, answer your instructors questions. and be an active participant.

Take on advice

Be open to advice. If your instructor suggests you try a different bit, take the advice. Keep an open mind. Remember - you’re the one learning!

Christmas gifts don't hurt!

Remember your instructor at Christmas time. A card or a small gift to show him or her that you are appreciative of the time they have put in with you and your horse never goes astray!

Finding a good instructor

Start your search by asking around. Who have your friends enjoyed lessons with? What have they gotten out of it? Word of mouth is a great way to find out about instructors in your area. Have a look online for qualified instructors, do your research and book a lesson. It might take you a few lessons to find an instructor who helps you to get the best out of your horse, but there are plenty of instructors out there! Joining an Adult Riding Club is another great idea - you’ll get lessons from a range of instructors, and if you’re happy with one, you can always get private lessons. 

Good luck and happy riding!

This article was originally published in the August 2013 issue of The Stable Magazine – Australia’s FREE Online Horse Magazine. Read this article and many more online at www.thestablemagazine.com