All riding school teachers are not created equally, and failing to interview several candidates can mean a negative horseback riding experience. A capable riding instructor will put safety first while focusing on the needs of both the horse and the rider. A teacher who doesn't have adequate skills can seriously endanger students.
Examine the Facility
You can learn quite a bit about a horseback riding instructor by visiting where he or she teaches. Make an appointment to meet the riding school teacher at the barn, then conduct your own evaluation.
- Are the facilities clean and free of litter?
- Is there an indoor arena for riding lessons during inclement weather?
- Will the horseback riding instructor provide you with tack and other equipment?
- Are the fences well-maintained?
- Is stall bedding clean and reasonably free of manure?
- Do pastures provide adequate grass for grazing horses?
Little things like landscaping and cleanliness are big red flags. You'll want to attend a riding school where the owners and riding instructors pay close attention to their facilities and make an effort to keep things up.
Meet the Horses
When you interview a horseback riding instructor, ask to meet the school horses you will be riding during lessons. He or she should have no problem with walking you through the barn and introducing you to the animals. If the horses don't seem happy and healthy, this is another red flag.
- Are the horses' coats groomed and shiny?
- Do you see any cracks in the horses' hooves?
- Has water been supplied to each animal?
- Do the horses seem friendly and content?
- Do you see any evidence of sweat stains?
Although school horses generally aren't as well-maintained as performance horses, you shouldn't see any obvious signs of neglect. Your horseback riding instructor should be willing to answer questions about each horse, such as how old they are and what level rider they require in lessons.
Talk About Class Format
A horseback riding instructor should be sufficiently organized to walk you through the format of each riding lesson. He or she should be willing to tell you how large each class will be, how long each student rides during a lesson, whether or not you will need to tack your own horse and what you will cover in lessons.
In most cases, competent riding school teachers are focused on teaching their students as much as they can each lesson. This means creating lesson plans for each class and establishing goals for development. If this riding instructor doesn't seem concerned with your progress, find someone else.
For Parents of Students
If you are looking for a horseback riding instructor for your child, there are other questions you need to address before scheduling lessons. Safety is especially important for children, so make sure any riding school teacher is comfortable working with kids and has class openings with other children.
- Is the instructor First-Aid and CPR certified?
- Are parents allowed to stay and watch the lesson?
- Will class sizes be limited for kids?
- Do children learn about caring for horses as well as riding?
- What procedures are followed if students are injured?
A competent horseback riding instructor will want to make you feel as comfortable as possible with leaving your child in his or her care. If you feel your child might be less than safe, move on to another riding school.
Finding a horseback riding instructor might seem like a daunting task, but eventually you will find a riding school where you are comfortable. However, even if you like the first instructor you interview, talk with two or three more just to make sure you've chosen the right one.
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