Old Bear Farm

Lesson Theory

Growing up, my parents were smart enough to know that you can learn things more than one way, and that not everyone has the one absolute right answer on how to do things.  Thanks to that idea, I learned to ride dressage, hunt seat, equitation, western, and also drive, and learned to take a little from each instructor and apply it to how I rode, which I still do today.  I have been fortunate enough to do clnics with Eric Horgan (eventing), GaWaNi Pony Boy (natural horsemanship), and more recently, Julie Goodnight (natural horsemanship/general training – one of my favorites as her ideas translate no matter which discipline you ride).  I always encourage students to try lessons such as bareback, ground work, western (for English riders, and vice versa) etc.  I also like to focus on the how and why we do things – instead of just saying “do this” and blindly expecting it to work for you.  Lesson students are encouraged to either come watch competitions and sometimes try them, but not required to do so.  In the past I have had some students who wanted to compete extensively, and some that just wanted to trail ride  (and many in between) - either is ok by me as I enjoy both! 

Starting out for Beginners

Many instructors balk at teaching beginners, however these lessons can be some of my favorites – especially for adults who may have preconceived ideas and fears – I find these lessons the most rewarding!

Here is what to expect:

I generally start beginner lessons with a consultation that lasts about a half hour, before we even begin actual lessons. I need to know information about why you want to learn to ride, what your goals are, your fitness level, any past experience and/or fears. (This process includes parents for any children riding.) I will also go over the basic equipment you will need (boots and a helmet at minimum). After that we will set up an initial lesson - all beginner lessons are private one hour lessons.

Your first lesson starts out on the ground. I feel that it is important to learn to lead, groom, and tack your horse before even getting in the saddle. This makes you more comfortable around the horse and with the equipment. Because of that, usually only a few minutes of the first lesson will be riding, and that part will concentrate on sitting in proper balance and basic commands. I like beginners to start out riding English – I feel that this actually teaches you to balance yourself better than a western saddle and to control the horse and become independent more easily. (Riders that wish to switch to western may do so after I feel you are stable enough balancing yourself on your own.) After the first lesson, following lessons usually have a pattern. The first 10-15 minutes are grooming/tacking. We spend 30-40 minutes actually working on riding, and the last 10 minutes are cooling out/untacking/grooming again. During these subsequent lessons we continue work on balance and basic commands and begin balance exercises in preparation for and eventually trotting.