a plan??

[lamprellsarah]

i need a plan, i teach a 12 yr old girl!! she's bit nervous had her first lessons yesterday it was half an hour, i did 10- 15 minutes of exercises and walking to get her relaxed then she felt better, so i put her on the lunge and we walked around and we talked about stopping steering, and just getting the basics nothing complicated!!
could anyone tell me a rough estimate of what i should be doing when?????
it seemed very borying yesterday her walking in cicrles doing a few movements, she did a little walking without stirrups which was very good!!! i have taught my boyfriend but i really can't remember how it worked! and when i did different things!

[lleeaannee]

I am taking my 7 year old cousin riding for the first time on Sunday. We are only going to be riding once a week. My plan is the following:

Lesson 1:

15 minutes of walking round on lead rein to get her used to the feel. Doing plent of circles and changes of rein.

10 minutes on the lunge to assess and ??improve her position.

Maybe if she feels confident enough 5 minutes being led around bare back (I did this when I was first learning and it really gives you a feel of how the horse moves)

Upto 30 minutes being led out on a hack.

I have been taking her sister riding for about 5 months but she is 10 and has had about 12 lessons to get her up to cantering level. We have had no major problems yet but she is more confident than Lauren.

I am really looking forwards to teaching Lauren as she's a lovely girl (for the most part) and the pony is fab!! He's 21 (but you wouldn't believe it) and has done everything!! Shame I haven't...

He's in the attatchment. The rider is Demi. Hasn't she got a good position considering she's been riding such a short time?

[Piaffe]

You could introduce pole work. Make box like grids in the school for her to steer the pony over at different angles. I have taught my friends 8 yr old on her pony and I made a 'maze' out of poles and got her to steer her pony through without touching the poles - so in one end and out the other, by herself. It keeps the concentration and makes them feel they are in control.

Depending how brave she is, you could perhaps lead her over a very small jump.

Alternatively, are you in a position to involve other children/ponies? You could set up a small 'gymkhana' - walking and trotting races, egg and spoon (at walk), weaving in and out of cones (again at walk), walk down one end of the school, dismount and lead back etc.

When I first started riding, we used to be led out on a short hack, have a picnic and then be led back again! If you can get involved with one or two other children/ponies and parents/guardians, it could make it more fun for both of you.

[lleeaannee]

I don't know about you Sarah, but I think I'll wait till her seat is established before introducing jumps!!

Thanks anyway though. I would give the poles a go but the field is very boggy and in the carpark area where I plan to lunge and lead her around a bit, we have limited space. Probably about 30 ft by 15 ft.
Oh, here is the attatchment thaty I forgot last post!! Duh.

[lamprellsarah]

thanks no jumps yet!!! haven't even trotted yet and this pony will stop if you don't know what you are doing, i think i will do few weeks walk then go to trott, no stirrups stuff get real good balance and i will spend many weeks practising this as it's the one thing i think people fall down in normally!!!

any more ideas???
how can i make thing very interesting in just a manege with a couple of pole and no other horses, cos until it gets light around5/6 we will have to stay in there!!

[lleeaannee]

I'm thinking about doing a few exercises like round the world and half scissors - poor child!!

There's also grooming and tacking up to be learnt-they seem to like the resposibility(not to mention mucking out and filling hay nets - both of which Demi hates!!).

[intouch]

Standing up in the stirrups is a good foundation for balancing and pre - rising trot, keep toes up and knees soft. When she can do it with a neck strap, try with hands on waist.
Make haste slowly, it may seem boring for you, but it's all new for your pupil!

[lleeaannee]

Yes thanks for that, it's a good idea standing in the stirrups. Wont do too much of it though cause I want her to not rely on her stirrups.

[Maci]

While she's walking, start talking to her about trot, and have her practise the posting movements. You could practice with a little bit more steering (ie: when she gets off the lunge, set up 2-3 pylons for her to steer around. Walk with her and guide her along the way. Or, when she's on the lunge, you could have her working a basic circle). Or, you could lead her around the pylons, and as you turn, she has to give the aids for turning- even though she is on a lead line, she'll start to get the feel of using her legs.

Good Luck!
Maci :)