What do you want from your Instructor?

[Tiger]

Have been reading all the things you don't want / like- now tell me what you DO want !! I'm an Instructor in the UK and i'm ready and listening - fire away!! :) Doesn't matter where you live - the more comments, the better :)

[Scarlett 001]

Some things I want/like in an instructor (I am fortunate as my present instructor does these things most of the time):

(i) I like details. I don't want to just be put on a horse and told to do something. I want to have explained to me why it works.

(ii) To really get the basics down properly, before moving onto jumping or flying lead changes etc.

(iii) Ensuring the riding environment is always safe - the safety of rider and horse is important (e.g., no loose dogs around arena etc.!)

(iv) My instructor lets me know how the horse is feeling by looking at her body language and telling me how she is doing - if she is content then he lets me know. This is important for me to learn. I want to learn how to recognize when I am riding well and the horse is content. Also he lets me know if I am hurting her mouth by banging on the reins etc. He has a real concern for the horse being subjected to my lack of riding talent! And I try to fix up these things as best as I can!

(v) To encourage students who want to learn more than just riding - how to tack up correctly, how to groom thoroughly, care for the mane/tail, bond with the horse etc.

(vi) To praise me when I have done something well.

(vii) To be actively involved in the lesson - commenting on the details throughout the lesson and not just sitting back...

(viii) To know when to step in and help. For example, if I am struggling putting on the bridle, let me struggle a bit on my own - but if I just can't do it, then step in and show me what I am doing wrong and how to improve!

(ix) My instructor gives me little tests sometimes to end the lesson. A pattern consisting of trots/cantering/direction changes etc. that I have to memorize. Then I tell him how I thought I did, and he tells me his assessment. These are great!!!

(x) To realize how far to push a student - a fine balance between not pushing someone so that they are scared silly and yet not pushing them at all to reach new goals. Realistic, safe goals for each lesson are good.

(xi) A friendly, smiling instructor is always nice. My instructor is very welcoming to any visitors that come along to watch my lesson.

(xii) My instructor always makes sure we end the lesson on a good note!!! :D


There are probably more things, but the list is getting long!!!

[Chikumz]

Exactly what I would have said...

[Bel]

I've never had proper lesons (yet) but when i do i want the instructor to under stand that i can ride and do most things well, and i want one that will teach me the things i want to be taught.

i.e i want to learn to jump, but every instructor i've talked to tells me it will take 6 months of lesons twice a week b4 i can start over poles which i think is BS. I can do the ground work stuff. I don't need to spend time on that, i dont want to do the fancy stuff, i just want to be able to jump safely. I don't want to the flying changes and all that S**T i dont need to.

Sorry if that became a rant, it just ****es me off that the instructors here in WA seem to think everyone wants to do the fancy stuff.

[horsemad]

From speaking to different people, I think there is a great variety in what riders want from their riding instructor.

I know some people who just want to have fun and don't want the instructor to be too critical. However, I don't actually see the point of this - I WANT my instructor to be critical (constructive criticism obviously, not just telling me I'm rubbish;) ). If I'm paying for a riding lesson, I want to be told what I'm doing wrong, and I want to be given tips on how to correct my faults. If you don't like being told what you are doing wrong, then why bother paying for lessons?

I think Scarlett 001 has covered all the major points - can't really add anything to her excellent summary. :D

[nakedescapee]

I have to tell you, I love my instructor! Here is what I love about her teaching style:

At the first lesson, she had me fill out a questionaire asking what I want to accomplish, what I consider is my level of riding and handling, and the amount of training my horse has received, strengths, weaknesses, etc., and other questions. Then, she took 20 or 30 mins to just let me ride while she evaluated me. Of course, she would ask me to do this and that, to see for herself what I needed to work on.

She has concentrated on improving what she observes as my weak points but not in a negative or condescending way. She has never said a cross word to me or told me I didn't do something correctly but *will* tell me to correct my position and always points out when I do something right.

She always gives positive reinforcment and has never shown her frustration in my ineptitude and stupid questions (though I'm sure she is tempted.) She listens and addresses each problem, question and concern that I have with calm confidence and a professional attitude.

It is about training the rider to communicate with the horse in order to get the desired results as opposed to simply teaching the rider to post on the correct diagonal, though that sort of thing is not left out of the lesson entirely.

She always ends on a good note, even if it means ending 10 mins late. While we are walking back to the barn, she quizes me on what I learned and what I should do for "homework."

Since starting lessons with her, I have seen great improvement in my riding skill, attitude and confidence, as well as in Homie's performance, suppleness and willingness.

I don't mean to gush, but I hope I am giving the kind of info you are looking for.

[Silver1]

I'm Jealous. I've been scared off from instructors at this point and am just trying to feel comfortable riding with people right now. My ideal instructor is someone who believes in having fun!

[Scarlett 001]

Originally posted by Silver1
My ideal instructor is someone who believes in having fun!

Yeah, I forgot to add the fun part to my list! Silver1, you are so correct in that having fun is important! :D

Suppose like nakedescapee (couple of messages above) I also gush a lot about my instructor! My instructor and I always enjoy ourselves and laugh often! In fact, he told me the other day he really has fun teaching me...it was so great to know it is not just a job to him, or not just tolerable but actually fun!!!

I admit I did have some luck in finding him but also did a lot of homework. I e-mailed and phoned many riding schools. Watched the instructors giving a lesson. I think that often the lack of response to a phone call or e-mail, or the brushing you off quickly if you visit etc. can be a good indicator of the attention you can expect to receive...

[anuvb]

Not much to add, except what I think all instructors should teach all their students... how to fit good tack, how to choose the right tack and what bit of tack does what (see my thread and other people's responses in the general section for more details ;) ).

The other thing I like is when an instructor can explain things in more than one way, so that if I don't get the first time I stand a chance if they explain it another way the next time. I also like it when I've really been struggling with something to get the instructor to ride the horse and show me exactly what they want me to do, and to talk through the leg position etc. whilst standing but also whilst riding it themselves.

[nakedescapee]

Ditto on the F-U-N!! It has to be fun or there is no point to it. :D :D

[Echo64]

I dunno about the fun part, when I had lessons, I always wanted to make sure I was continually paying attention and riding my hardest, and it would make me mad when there'd be others off in the corner giggling and things. I'm quite sure I'm the only one like that.

A BIG thing to do, I think, is listen to your students. If they say "I don't want to compete" then listen to that and don't force the issue, no matter how much potential they show.

If they want to have fun, let them have fun, but (I'm probably gonna get yelled at about this) since they are paying you to teach them, make sure that they get something out of the lesson.

[galadriel]

As an instructor and as a student, the problem I have the most is the sort of defensive feeling I get when an instructor tells me something I already know, or criticizes something that I *know* I'm not doing right (but I'm working on).

We have to realize, as students, that the instructor can't read our minds. The instructor is going on what he sees and using his own knowledge to tell us what he sees and what he thinks we should improve. As even the top riders get instruction/coaching, I think we should all be humble enough to accept criticism--and even going back to basics if the instructor thinks we need it--and I think that needs to start with me! And so I try.

And from the other point of view, a defensive student is insanely difficult to teach. When the student spends half the time telling me "I know!" or "No I'm not!" or "But I want to [Z]" (when I don't consider student capable of X and Y, which is needed for Z). I can't really teach someone who's not listening to me, but who came into the lesson with her own agenda. I can only work with what I see.

Having experienced how difficult it makes it for the instructor, I find those resentful I-already-knew-that feelings acutely embarrassing. And I've watched some top riders at clinics; if *they* can accept being told some of the really basic things I've heard without spouting back, then with all my known faults...I ought to be able to, also :)

[Scarlett 001]

I could see that people giggling in the corner during a group lesson could get a bit much if it happens a lot of the time. Just to clarify, by having fun this is not what I mean. My, er um, somewhat extensive (!!!) list of things I like/want in an instructor probably shows quite how seriously I take my riding lessons. I take private lessons and work very hard. I suppose that for me there is a difference between not paying attention/giggling in the corner vs. working hard but still having fun. I actually find it fun to have my riding corrected and to work at something over and over until I finally get it. All I know is that I have a permanent grin on my face nearly the whole time I ride no matter how hard I am working and even when being critiqued (maybe I am strange...)! There is a very upbeat, energized, supportive feeling in the arena during my lesson that makes me feel that despite the hard work, this is really really wonderful...this is what I mean by having fun...

[Tiger]

What a great response :D I'm sorry some of you have had a rough time sometimes - i'd say 'if at first you don't succeed'......keep changing instructor till you find a good one. Why waste hard earned money being yelled at, humiliated and being made to feel generally useless??? ....Riding should be FUN and enjoyable - we do this for pleasure, - and it's expensive!!
-- anuvb (earlier reply) i love your quote - can i change it a little for the benefit of all instructors?
......'The rider you end with, is not always the rider you started with; as a teacher, it is your job to ensure the change is for the better'......
I think a good trainer should ask for lots of feedback - and LISTEN to the rider - remembering that the Meaning of a Communication is the Response you get! This includes the horse! So, for instance, if you are asked for left canter and you don't get it after a suitable number of attempts, maybe you need a DIFFERENT explaination of how to get it, that will help YOU to explain to your horse!! A good instructor will have dozens of different ways to explain the same thing, as not everyone 'hears ' things the same way and neither do horses!!!! Good teaching is NEVER sarcastic - humorous, constructive, helpful - yes. We learn easily when we feel safe and happy .Good instructors :D a lot, 'cos they enjoy their job !!! :D :D :D

[kedwards]

I haven't much to add to Scarlet's great list. These concept are probably inherent in what she said already, but I'll add

(1) that the instructor really makes a point of trying to understand my goals and is able to give me clear, precise, feedback about what it will take to achieve them. I think I do best when the instructor can also give me specific subgoals so I know, exactly, what I'm aiming for in the short-term.

(2) As a problem-solver, myself, I like an instructor who tries to work through problems too. In other words, someone who is flexible and imaginitive enough to think of another way of presenting something or a new exercise to try if I seem to be hitting an impass.

(3) Someone who aims for increasing my knowledge and independence, so that I can become more able to work things through myself when the instructur isn't there.

(4) Someone who takes adults seriously. I love riding, I'm very commited to improving, I'll do anything I'm told; don't be afraid to challenge nor assume that I'm less serious or less dedicated because of my age.

(5) On that note, give me difficulty challenges. Work me hard, make me sweat, and ask me to work with no stirrups all week if you truly think it will make me a better rider. I'm game.

[Lovecat]

Can't really add anything to Scarlett's list but I was intrigued by this:

Originally posted by galadriel
And from the other point of view, a defensive student is insanely difficult to teach. When the student spends half the time telling me "I know!" or "No I'm not!" .... I can only work with what I see.

This is a fair point, but there is one instructor at our yard who I will not have a lesson with, because she doesn't seem to listen to me - "Kick her" she's shouting at me and I AM kicking her (school horse, much against my better judgement) but because the horse isn't responding she seems to think I'm ignoring her and when I say "I AM" she tells me I'm not... maybe she thinks I'm being defensive too...?

There is nothing more frustrating than doing what you're told and, rather than being helped to either 1) do it better, because obviously what you are doing isn't working or 2) offered an alternative because it's not working, to have it screamed at you "No you're NOT"....

Or am I just too defensive?;) :p :rolleyes:

[CityGirl]

Most things were already covered but I have one more.
An instructor who is willing to get up on a horse & show me how its done!
I have discovered that I'm a very "visual learner". My trainer can tell me 10 times to do something & I won't get it. She will hop on & do it and VOILA - after I see it, I get back on & do it perfectly! (Alright - not perfectly...:D ;) )
In almost every lesson we're working on new things, I make her pop on. Normal - no, probably not. But my trainer has learned to accept the quirks & work with me in a way that works for me! She was willing to think outside of the norm & discover a way to teach that really fit us.
Sigh... its so nice having a great trainer!:D ;)

[galadriel]

Originally posted by Lovecat
There is nothing more frustrating than doing what you're told and, rather than being helped to either 1) do it better, because obviously what you are doing isn't working or 2) offered an alternative because it's not working, to have it screamed at you "No you're NOT"....

I agree, if you're trying and it's not working, then it needs to be explained differently. "No you're not" isn't an answer that helps; an answer that would help would be "X is what you're doing, Y is what I need to see." Some explanation of *why* what you're doing isn't what the instructor is trying to get you to do. (Which, by the way, might be a way to approach it if you end up in a lesson like that again: "Okay, I >think< I am doing what you told me to; tell me how I'm not and what to change.")

We've had discussions about types of instructors before, in which some people like the pushy in-your-face kind of instructor, and some people want an instructor who will explain things and give them a chance to try it before getting critical. People all differ :) There might be people who would take that instructor's shouting "No you're NOT" as a challenge to do better, rather than as a condemnation of current efforts. It takes all kinds of people...I have to confess that I prefer the reasoned approach, from both sides :)

Citygirl, the association through which I'm accredited lists getting on and demonstrating as an important teaching tool. So while you may not see it often, it is certainly a known and accepted method (and one I like myself).

[Tootsie4U]

I need to learn the mechanics. Anyone know why the aid for canter is outside leg behind the girth! (Instructors, thats not one for you, just for us little folk)

Give me a teacher that can explain the mechanics of a horses movement and why we do things to encourage that movement, and you've got my money ;)

After you've done that (teaching me the whys), then teach me the hows....

[cvb]

Hi Tootsie

I'm not actively teaching, so can I cheat by answering your question by getting you to answer another question...

What foot does the horse start canter with ?

(the answer might help with your question ?!)

[galadriel]

Originally posted by Tootsie4U
I need to learn the mechanics. Anyone know why the aid for canter is outside leg behind the girth!

Er, actually, a lot of the mechanics to which you refer are simply cues they've been taught. It's not instinctive, it's a learned response to a painstaking, repetitive method to teach the horse to respond to a certain set of cues in a certain way.

Almost every set of cues that you use while riding is something that the horse was taught, not something based on his instincts, or his body structure, or his way of going. Some of them are more convenient is used in connection with the horse's way of going--for example, with alternate leg aids at the walk for impulsion, using your leg on the side at the same time that the horse's hind leg on that side is moving will help. However, first the horse had to learn that you pressing on his side with your leg meant something, and then he had to fine-tune it to understand that it can mean more energy within the walk, rather than just moving to trot. And so on.

The aids that we use when riding are a mutual language that people and horses both learn because it would be too bulky to try to do everything with voice commands ;) The "vocabulary" of this language is formed from actions you take with your hands, legs, and seat; when you need to have a "larger vocabulary," you add in whip and spur. A trainer teaches this language to the horse, and an instructor teaches this language to a person.

Sometimes a horse may have a very odd "accent" (responds differently than you'd expect to certain aids) due to his training; that's not the horse being stubborn, that's the horse responding the way he *thinks* he should, because that's how he was taught. I find it useful to never assume that a horse knows anything, but to be sure to teach him everything I want him to know, using the commands I want him to recognize. Most of the time it'll take moments just to be sure that the horse recognizes the commands; sometimes you learn that whole steps were left out of a horse's training, or that he REALLY doesn't get your way of "saying" it and you have to reschool him.

[Tootsie4U]

Ooh lordy, I think I've confused you.

What I mean is we ask for canter by placing a specific leg at a specific place which assists the horse and rider to strike off on the correct lead. Until I was told that canter is a three beat movement with the horse striking off on that particular leg, all the aid was to me was positioning factor. When I understood why, then I understood canter better. More of a rider training thing than horse training thing.

That make sense now? phew....

[galadriel]

Originally posted by Tootsie4U
What I mean is we ask for canter by placing a specific leg at a specific place which assists the horse and rider to strike off on the correct lead.

Sure, but you could in fact train a horse to set off in right lead canter when you tap his poll with a whip, and left lead canter when you tap his dock ;) (It would be difficult and silly, but it could be done.)

Yes, there are reasons for many of the placements and timings of the aids that we give, and they do help reinforce the horse's training and make it easier for the horse to obey those aids. But those are a convenience we have devised :D and they are not entirely necessary.

[Tinkerbell]

I like an instructor who is fun. I'm not into being patronised and would rather have someone saying "Remember to keep your heels down" than some insult about my mental capacity. I like to hear that I'm doing well when I am.

It must be difficult for... mature novices, as so many instructors are my age. Are instructors taught how to teach? Or just what to teach?

[Tootsie4U]

Ok - this is a good discussion! :)

I could teach Bonfire that when I reach around and tickle his rump thats when I want him to canter-totally agree. But that has to do with training the horse. We're talking about instructors and I would want one to tell me why we use the outside leg behind the girth - not just make me do it... I like detail.

Another example...

You can actually time your transition to trot so that you rise automatically on the right diagonal IF you pay attention to the footfalls at walk. No more looking down to check.

I've had four instructors in one and a half years and only one has taught me in this way. She explains the horse, then tells me what to do to correlate with the horses mechanics in the easiest way that is still correct and makes the most sense.

I would prefer to be told why to use the outside leg than to be instructed that the aid for canter is outside leg, outside rein, blah blah blah. If I understand why, its easier for me to get the how. Thats just my opinion on the type of instructor I choose.

:)

[Tiger]

The best and easiest way to learn, is to listen to explanations, watch the demonstrations - ASK QUESTIONS- lots of them (nothing is too small or stupid :) ) - have a go a few times and then compare notes. Is what you are doing, actually what the Instructor asked you to do? Is it anything like it?? :D If not - go over the info again with him/her - was it the explanation? :confused: Did you REALLY understand? If not - ASK- again AND again, until Whatever the task is, is explained to you in such a way that you CAN understand. :cool:
YOU are not the stupid one .... if your Instructor can't explain things to YOU in English....how in heavens name can you expect to explain things to your HORSE??? :D :D


p.s.Have a look at new thread as well

[Scarlett 001]

Originally posted by Tootsie4U
You can actually time your transition to trot so that you rise automatically on the right diagonal IF you pay attention to the footfalls at walk. No more looking down to check

Hey, this is off-topic from main thread - but since you mention diagonals...

Just this past lesson we were working on getting me to pick up the correct diagonal going from 2-point to posting trot! Hey, I admit I have to look at the horse's shoulder while in 2-point so I pick it up correctly right away but at least no bump-bump needed to correct the diagonal - I guess that soon I will be able to just feel the trot and pick up the correct diagonal going out of 2-point!

Ok, back to the topic of the main thread...sorry... :o ;)

[cvb]

yes you could teach any cue you want - but in most cases the cues/aids we use are the most logical ones to get the answer we want. ie they position us and our horses to get the 'right' result. (WHy make life harder for yourself !).

The trouble is, as Tootsie points out, that often we are just taught the what and not the why. And then it self-perpetuates because the instructor does not necessarily fully understand the why and so can not pass it on in their teaching.

I haven't contributed to the Instructor Wish List cos I want to think about it some more. But I can add a few 'Don't wants' from experience.

I don't want an instructor
- who is trying to train my horse without training me
- who doesn't listen
- who lets their own goals for me take precedence over my own goals
- who figures the only way to teach is to YELL
- who thinks anyone who just wants to be a happy hacker is not worth teaching

And a few 'do wants' - an instructor

- who teaches me the why and how so I can carry on when (s)he isn't their
- who buys into my goals, however 'insignificant' they may be
- who teaches what they have on the day
- who encourages debate & discussion

[Njal]

I find, if I've come away from a lesson really having understood just ONE thing that really make me feel I've improved in some way, I'm satisified.

Sometimes, this is what the instructor meant to teach and sometimes, it's a random off-comment that just happened to click! Either way, I've then practiced it.

Sometimes I can go lots of lessons & not learn anything; but then I'll get string of good ones where I feel I improve. All the instructors have been trying to tell me something! But perhaps its only after a while a student can really understand what's wrong.

Njal

[whoa]

Someone who explains things clearly, understands that it can all be quite scarey, can make you laugh, ends the lesson on a positive note (if possible!!), pushes you just enough. I'm very lucky as I have all that where I ride:)

and I forgot to add that they make sure the horse is the number one priority and that no pupil ever gives them a hard time or blames them when it's the rider's own fault when things go wrong - yes I have that too:D

[S_F_S]

Dont start me on canter leads :D

I have a class of 5 or 6 8-11 year olds, who have started cantering, with a leader.

They all understand which leg to put back, they all KNOW why they do it- but EVERY lesson they giggle and claim the dont know.

The result? EVERY week I end up on my hands and knees demonstarting the order of footfalls.... :rolleyes:


little horrors.... :D

[DorsetMartin]

What great answers to the original ?
One thing that I like about my instructor is that she gives me priase when things go well. We all like a little praise & I think that it's often forgotten.