http://www.horsenation.com/2012/08/06/the-riding-school-a-column-about-the-people-who-teach-us-how-to-ride-8/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=the-riding-school-a-column-about-the-people-who-teach-us-how-to-ride-8 horsing around the world Sat, 25 May 2013 02:19:31 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.5.1 http://www.horsenation.com/2012/08/06/the-riding-school-a-column-about-the-people-who-teach-us-how-to-ride-8/#comment-8893 Suzanne Johnson Mon, 06 Aug 2012 20:31:33 +0000 http://www.horsenation.com/?p=14076#comment-8893 Over the years, the most commonly asked question riders,students and instructors ask me is “How do I know when to transition my students/ horses from one skill level to another…how will I know its time?”
In the example above, we might use why the first rider kept loosing her stirrups?
As an instructor, building confidence is something we can assist riders and horses in doing for themselves. Confidence is a fantastic tool and so useful in transitioning or reaching goals. However, it isn’t something we can manufacture and give away. Confidence is a by-product of being well prepared and thoroughly schooled as we practice obtaining skills and learning how to effectively apply them. Transitioning from one skill level to another shouldn’t be rushed. It is never too early to start setting your students and or your horses up for success by practicing the basics at each level and moving on from there.
Persuading a horse or someone who is unprepared to do a movement or jump an obstacle that is way beyond their skill level can be counter productive, building resentment in both rider and horse. It’s good to reach, yet goals really need to be reachable to produce confidence. I think we should not underestimate our students or our horses intelligence nor undermine their ability.
It is our job as instructors to be clear and efficient communicators as we make the task of learning how to ride as enjoyable as possible.
Our students and our horses can translate into action the information we communicate only as well as its delivered and received. If we are efficient in our approach to teaching, our riders produce economic results. The same is true in training.
Synchronicity is our goal…matching and maintaining rhythms.
As we practice and become proficient at each skill and level of complexity, the economy of synchronicity in matching rhythms becomes evident…the culmination of our joint efforts effective. What I call ” riding thorough.” Then transitioning to a more complex skill level is an easier next step.
( “THE RIDERS ART.” copyright 2012 by S. Johnson LIFEHORSEQUINE.ORG Clinics and Workshops 2012 All Rights Reserved)

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