Teaching a rider

[miss_thenorth]

What Chickbeas said--if they want to ride--they need to be comfortable around a horse and know how to take care of him.

My 10 yo dd knows how to muck out a stall, groom a horse, pick out hooves and saddle up--with supervision of course--but the horse needs to be cared for before saddle comes on and when saddle comes off--same thing.

Horses are not machines

 

[Stormhorse23]

Yes, and it is hard to make people realize that. They think every horse will be perfect all the time! They even get angry when a horse makes a mistake! I have to constantly be reminding them, a horse thinks...a horse feels....

 

[southernsibe]

Chickbea beat me to the punch on this one. I was thinking exactly the same thing.

Let me guess, you are doing this for free right? You're letting them use your horse, not your mare, but a horse you care for and feed? You let them use your tack, your grooming equipment and other sundry items? All for free. I don't want this to sound nasty, but I would charge them. Something. And I'd go from ground up, learning the people manners. And they should be able to tell you the parts of the horse, and the tack. After all, if they want lessons, that is normally how lessons go. Is the TW an easy keeper? Does she need supplements or other special things? It's been my experience that very few people value what they get for free, or what they feel they are entitled to "because..." or they know someone. Just my 0.02
Rachel

 

[CarriBrown]

I agree with the ground work, 110%. You are NOT a horseperson if you don't know how to work with a horse from the ground.
Owning a horse has it's ups and downs. We all love going out for a ride, but would pass up mucking in a heart beat. Maybe instead of charging them money, you can "charge" them labor. Have them come earn their rides by washing, grooming, cleaning tack, picking rocks out of the arena, standing with the ferrier, whatever. Only the ones who really want to learn and ride will do those things for you. They will also have a better appreciation for the ride and learn as much as they can because they "earned" that ride.
I've always had horses, so I take them for granted. But it seems like the kids that want a horse will do ANYTHING that has to do with horses, even clean stalls (I guess I'm a brat...

).

 

[Scrambled Egg]

No horse (to me anyway) is more beautiful than a Tennessee Walker...best looking horse in the world, love that gait, wow!!!

 

[Wildsky]

Quote:
Awww you need to see my girl Scrambled.... my Rosie has a gait to die for - Peruvian Paso - very spanish looking prancy when she gets going.

 

[Scrambled Egg]

I did see her picture and she is pretty!!! I just especially love the looks of those walking horses, breath-taking!!

 

[BrahmaMama]

Quote:
Awww you need to see my girl Scrambled.... my Rosie has a gait to die for - Peruvian Paso - very spanish looking prancy when she gets going.

I worked for a Peruvian farm here in Sioux Falls for awhile, they do have beautiful gaits/action!

 

[horsejody]

I've found that a good way to get people to ride more balanced and take more care in their position is to have them ride with no stirrups. Young children are often better balanced than other people. They are much more adaptable to the animals movement and to instruction. Older kids and adults need a little more nudging to get it right.

 

[chickbea]

Quote:
Oh boy, do I remember that! Ten straight minutes every day of a posting trot without stirrups ( I told you I had an old-school coach!). These days I can do about 10 seconds and my legs say no more!