Hippotherapy
why is a good horseback riding instructor so hard to find?
i recently had a terrible experience with a woman who was mean and degrading and haven't been able to find a new instructor. i volunteered at a therapeutic riding facility but i really want to get back into lessons. i am in graduate school and i want to get a horse of my own when i can afford it. what can i do in the meantime, and does anyone have advice for finding a decent instructor/human being to learn from?
Public Comments
- Look for trainers, not instructors if you can. I've always had horrible experiencs at lesson stables. But I love the trainer that I'm taking lessons with now. I would talk to local vets and farriers, or go to stables and ask maybe. I'm sure someone will know a good trainer. I know that I'm always willing to rave about mine to anyone who asks.
- Sounds like that lady was a B----! Maybe you could place an add in your local news paper, put the price your willing to pay and when you want to have the lessons. But before you start to have the lessons you should make a date to got out and inspect where they will teach you and the horses you might/will ride, and watch the instructor giving a lesson to another person if you can. Hope this helps, good luck!
- Want to share where you took lessons? LOL, spare people further misery. Sadly I've run into bosses and instructors like that, you did the right thing speaking with your wallet and leaving. I would ask word of mouth through the therapeutic facility, someone HAS to know of a decent trainer/instructor who would suit your needs.
- Ask your fellow horse enthusiasts who they're taking lessons from. That is a beginning...then you'll want to "interview" that trainer just as you would someone who was applying for a job. See how your personalities mesh.....Sadly, there are a lot of trainers who think they work well with people and in actuality this teaching talent is a gift which few trainers possess. Take a few lessons, and see how it goes....remember, your trainer should reaffirm at every lesson why you "hired" her or him in the first place. If that person pulls a "nasty behavior" towards you, leave that stable....I really doubt you'll encounter two rotten eggs, one after another. Start networking and see what trainers are available for you. Good luck.
- Ok I gotta tell you as a show rider/trainer/instructor and judge I started riding when I was 9, I am 48 now. Best advise....take as many private lessons as possible, as that way you are the instructors only concern. I also gotta say that 99% of really good instructors take thier job very seriousley as thier success depends on yours. I really don't know what you consider being mean. If you seriousley really want to learn to ride and show, you can't expect your instructor to be warm and fuzzy. You need to ask yourself....Is this just going to be my hobby and I just love horses...or I want to compete on a local level...Or do I want to compete on a circut level. There are hundreds of Instructors that will take your money, tell you (and your parents) everything you want to hear. It all depends on where you really want to go when choosing a instructor. Go to shows and see the trainers at work and see the results of thier training. Where do you live, maybe I can help you find someone
- I know how you feel. My first instructor was horrible! She was condescending and mean. To find a good one, I would just visit the different ones in your area and just ask to "sit in" on one of their lessons and see if you like their style. If they are a good instructor, they shouldn't mind this at all. In fact, they should welcome it. I'm looking for a schooling stable myself in the Knoxville, TN area. I would really like to get back into my old riding competitions again! Good luck finding your school!
