Skib
14th Aug 2007, 08:27 AM
It was a revelation when my present RI explained that I unconsciously put more weight on my right seat bone probably to avoid the pain of putting weight on my left. I didn't do it deliberately to annoy my teachers.
I have so often posted comforting replies to older riders who are stressed about balance and position. So what a surprise it is to discover there is a BHS book which explains to young teachers - but also to adult riders - the sort of things that my own teacher explained to me.
Teaching Riding - by Josephine Knowles FBHS
It has enraged me that the young teachers taking their BHS preliminary teaching test have focused so much on perfect position. Josephine Knowles, author of this book, a Fellow of the BHS, said that she herself never understood what her pupils complained about until she had a problem with her own ankle.
I am relieved to see a BHS book putting things right. There is now no excuse for riding teachers trained by the BHS not to know how to help us older beginners. I shall recommend it to every trainee teacher I come across.
It isnt just that adult imperfect bodies don't fit the pictures of what riders should look like, but that we founder in trying to improve. Because we aim at the wrong thing. The pain we may feel in a hip or knee may be referred pain from our backs.
I came across the book browsing in Waterstones and didn't read further sections, but, if you are looking for concise, enlightened guidance for yourself or a student, I suggest requesting it from the library and seeing what you think. There is plenty in it about topics that crop up on NR and I wonder if she is as good on those?
I suspect there will be RIs on this Board like eml who know the book already and probably already know what is in it.
But I have to ask myself why I never found it before, nor bothered to look inside it. If I had had this book in 2002 when I started lessons, I would have been able to challenge the RI who made my life a misery and question her accusations.
Here is the publishers' blurb.
"Teaching Riding" encompasses 50 years of teaching experience by a Fellow of the British Horse Society. The author has taught riders of all ages and stages and this truly comprehensive guide is distinguished by her sound common-sense approach and profound knowledge of horses and ponies. Josephine Knowles demonstrates how to assist the rider to develop feel, to sit in balance and to understand the mind and body of the horse.
Covering the special requirements for teaching children and mature adults, beginners, nervous and more advanced riders, the author also includes advice on riding on the flat and over jumps, taking out hacks and taking lessons with known riding school horses as well as unknown privately owned horses. There are suggestions for solving all kinds of problems, for maintaining the interests of a ride, for discipline and safety and general guidelines for instructors at all levels. Everyone, whether student or qualified instructor, will benefit from reading this invaluable and enlightening teaching manual.
I have so often posted comforting replies to older riders who are stressed about balance and position. So what a surprise it is to discover there is a BHS book which explains to young teachers - but also to adult riders - the sort of things that my own teacher explained to me.
Teaching Riding - by Josephine Knowles FBHS
It has enraged me that the young teachers taking their BHS preliminary teaching test have focused so much on perfect position. Josephine Knowles, author of this book, a Fellow of the BHS, said that she herself never understood what her pupils complained about until she had a problem with her own ankle.
I am relieved to see a BHS book putting things right. There is now no excuse for riding teachers trained by the BHS not to know how to help us older beginners. I shall recommend it to every trainee teacher I come across.
It isnt just that adult imperfect bodies don't fit the pictures of what riders should look like, but that we founder in trying to improve. Because we aim at the wrong thing. The pain we may feel in a hip or knee may be referred pain from our backs.
I came across the book browsing in Waterstones and didn't read further sections, but, if you are looking for concise, enlightened guidance for yourself or a student, I suggest requesting it from the library and seeing what you think. There is plenty in it about topics that crop up on NR and I wonder if she is as good on those?
I suspect there will be RIs on this Board like eml who know the book already and probably already know what is in it.
But I have to ask myself why I never found it before, nor bothered to look inside it. If I had had this book in 2002 when I started lessons, I would have been able to challenge the RI who made my life a misery and question her accusations.
Here is the publishers' blurb.
"Teaching Riding" encompasses 50 years of teaching experience by a Fellow of the British Horse Society. The author has taught riders of all ages and stages and this truly comprehensive guide is distinguished by her sound common-sense approach and profound knowledge of horses and ponies. Josephine Knowles demonstrates how to assist the rider to develop feel, to sit in balance and to understand the mind and body of the horse.
Covering the special requirements for teaching children and mature adults, beginners, nervous and more advanced riders, the author also includes advice on riding on the flat and over jumps, taking out hacks and taking lessons with known riding school horses as well as unknown privately owned horses. There are suggestions for solving all kinds of problems, for maintaining the interests of a ride, for discipline and safety and general guidelines for instructors at all levels. Everyone, whether student or qualified instructor, will benefit from reading this invaluable and enlightening teaching manual.