Good horse tips for me?

Any good horse instuctor tips?

• I am going to be a teen instructor at a therapeutic and regular riding stables, and a counselor at a horse camp. i need tip on what to do, how to act, and information. i also want the kids to trust me and respect me. also do you have any good game ideas on the horse or exercises or stuff? also what i should wear to look in charge?

• Answer:

  There are plenty of books around to give you exercises and lesson plans. Remember to ask each pupil at the start of the lesson what their experience level is, what they do regularly and what they are confident doing, do they know the pony, is it their own, what do they want to concentrate on that day? Remember to go and check each horse's tack is on correctly and offer to help tighten girths and change stirrup lengths as well as to leg people up or hold horses at the mounting block. Check that all your pupils are wearing hard hats and suitable riding gear and that anyone who needs one is carrying a whip. You should do a short assessment of your riders at the start of teaching them. If they claim they are able to, see them in walk, trot and canter on both reins and try to spot their strengths and weaknesses. Be positive in your feedback and remember to keep talking as you go. You could teach things like around the world, scissors, vaulting on, pony games, turn on the forehand, rein back, leg yield, serpentines, pole work, small jumps (if permitted), simple changes on a figure 8, 10 metre loops, simple dressage tests and short courses of jumps. DO NOT attempt to teach anything you are not sure of or experienced doing. You may get it wrong without knowing. Keep to the level of each rider and if someone does not feel confident at the exercise, discreetly give them something simpler to do. If anyone is hurt (horse or human!) or falls off, stop the lesson, get everyone to line up their horses away from your injured person/ horse and call for help. If you can, get yourself some first aid training before you go but ALWAYS call for a member of staff. Be friendly and always finish each exercise by telling each pupil something positive about their riding, however difficult it may be (you will always get one awkward one!). You should make sure you are always clean, with long hair tied back neatly and NO make-up. Wear warm enough, plain tops (no neon pink or glitter, it's just not professional) and a waterproof jacket. It is surprisingly chilly stood in the middle of the school. Wear dark jods and clean, comfortable riding boots. Make sure you have your hard hat and gloves just in case. No jewellery except a plain watch, I have seen some horrific injuries from earrings where a horse has bitten and from rings (just google de-gloving and you will know!). Don't take your mobile phone to lessons unless you have to for safety. Even then, it should be on silent in a zipped up inner pocket, so it cannot be seen or drop out if you bend down. Make sure you set a correct example for your pupils whenever you are at camp, they learn from your every move and will inevitably hear you if you swear or talk behind someone's back. Always be fair and pleasant where at all possible and if you believe one of your pupils needs a telling off, get back up from a member of staff and tell them the whole story without bias. If there is anyone in your group who you really cannot get along with, speak to the member of staff looking after you and see what they can sort out and what advice they can give. Keep your money and belongings safe and if you can hand in your wallet to the manager to be kept safe, do so. Enjoy it! Try to keep a diary if you can, you will be glad you did in years to come!