Start Them Before They Begin

By Didi Arias

Illustration by author

The bookings are made and I´m looking forward to working with the new beginner adult students. There are still a couple of weeks before the sessions start, and I know they are excited, and perhaps some a little anxious, too. To help give them a pre-lesson leg-up, I like to welcome them aboard with an introduction to horseback riding information packet. This gives them tips, tasks and general information – a little something to get their teeth in to in anticipation of their lessons. This helps them to be better prepared, more at ease, and feel less self-conscious through the stumbling first lessons. Having this little edge gives something to hold on to in a reassuring, “I´ve got this” kind of way.

Outside of general information (barn rules, website address, location map, business hours, etc.), I like to give my new students a list of things they can do and read before showing up for the first ride, as well as a list of resources to check out. I generally send out a Word document e-mail or give a printed handout, but it is something that can always be on one´s website. Friends of mine went all fancy-schmancy and had theirs done professionally in a brochure-type format.

I keep it brief and down to simple topics. Below is the information I chose to include and what I have found has worked for me.

Riding Basics – This can cover the different disciplines of riding and which they will be learning with me; for illustration, I encourage a visit to the tack shop (where they will be going anyways) or the library for horse book browsing. This kind of visual gathering is both stimulating and informative. I also alert to what it will be like when they first get on-board, explaining being led, being lunged, or following a lead horse. This tends to cover the swing between those that nervously ask “you´re not going to let me go, are you?”, to those that want to know “when are we going to go fast?”. Emphasis is on the learning being progressive as we balance up the building blocks of good basics, and that each rider will learn at their own pace, with safety paramount. Speaking of safety, that is something I address in person for the fullest understanding of addressing the “whys” and being vigilant over the “hows”.

Key Vocabulary – You always feel part of something when you know the lingo. Knowing a few relevant vocabulary words can help one from feeling like such an outsider:

Equine – Tack – Mount-up – Dismount - Saddle – Bridle – Stirrups – Halter – Lead

line – Mare – Gelding are some good starter-type words.

Of course, there is the risk of misuse making one stick out, like the student who asked “which equine will I be riding today?”.

As I work in an international community, defining the vocabulary is even more essential.

“´Tack´, tack´, you always say ´tack´ - what is ´tack´?” one lady asked, confused as the word meant something non-related in her native language.

I feel it is better to own even a few words than no words at all; we can always address the language hiccups as they arise.

Get Ready to Ride - I give a brief synopsis of what is required from the rider physically and an idea of what they should expect. Illustrations or photos of good vs bad posture/position are eye openers. I believe in the power of the mental image, so give them good examples to hold in their mind when eventually mounted. As the uninitiated are frequently shocked that riding requires a darned site more effort than just sitting on the back of the horse, I recommend gentle flexibility and strengthening classes. They´ll be better prepared to start riding and it keeps it real, as opposed to the lovelies in diaphanous gowns on social media, who take selfies of themselves on rearing stallions whilst on the beach. As one new student exclaimed: “I never realized how much work was involved in riding! I NEVER would have been able to get on that horse in the first place if you hadn´t recommended I start those limbering exercises beforehand”.

Know thy body: struggling to mount on your first lesson is not the time to find out that you can´t stand on one leg. Of course, the added benefit to a better prepared body is less post-ride stiffness and soreness. The selfies can wait.

As one new student exclaimed: “I never realized how much work was involved in riding!

Clothing and Equipment – Dress for the sport. There´s nothing worse than trying to do a new activity with all the wrong gear. Well, maybe there is something worse, like when you show up with the gear all wrong, as did one lady I saw arrive in her brand new pair of chaps, not realizing that one is supposed to wear something of the trouser sort underneath. Talk about a “wanting the ground to swallow you up” moment. Being specific matters, so I list the essentials, right down to the safety standard approval ratings, mentioning where there cannot be any substitutes.

“No, you can´t ride in your motorcycle helmet”.

“I know it´s hot out and that baggy harem pants are cool, but no”.

Just no.

As pockets may not be so deep these days, new students appreciate guidance as to acceptable brands and where to purchase. And almost everyone appreciates second-hand riding tog sales: a money-saving and social, getting-to-know-you event idea.

A Brief Introduction to the Horse – Though this material will thoroughly be inserted in to the riding lessons, giving a heads up on how they perceive things, how their senses work for them, how they communicate – helps bring an awareness to the lessons that we´re dealing with something pretty marvellous here. And it is not a big dog.

Communication, Expectation and

Attitude – It is vital that the studentteacher door be open and these prepared information sheets are indeed the first steps. Both parties work more smoothly together when things are clear from the beginning. Sorting out messes that could have been avoided is never much fun and tastes about as nice as a moldy carrot. The expectations I have from my students is simple: follow the rules, be respectful, open to teaching, and understand the important part they will play in the student/horse/teacher Trinity. I´ll do my part, you (student) do your part, and the horse, hey, that´s the Holy member of the equation.

Taking some steps for the student to get a head start not only prepares them physically and mentally but helps them dive straight in with a good attitude. When I think of the things I´ve set out to learn in my life, I have always progressed more rapidly and had more confidence when the teacher smoothly paved the way for me to begin.

About the author:

Didi Arias is a Level 3 ARIA Certified Instructor and national dressage judge and teacher, who resides in Almeria, Spain.