Riding horses is not just about getting on and going as fast as you can. All round horsemanship is very important to me so I ensure all my riders not only ride but also learn how to prepare the horse for lessons and also untack and look after the horse afterwards. Once riders are familiar with the horse they are able to prepare the horse before the start of the lesson. By this stage their riding fitness will have also improved so they can get the most out of their time riding.
In my lessons riders will learn about the way a horse moves and how to improve the horse as well as themselves. I will focus on exercises to strengthen rider’s position and put them in a balanced seat that enables the horse to perform to the best of their ability. Once the foundations are established it is easy to progress to more advanced skills like jumping and lateral work.
There are a variety of activities that can be used to progress a rider without having to just go around in circles. Lessons can include games, riding out in the open, up and down hills, even pole exercises. Students will often say that they would never be able to do something and I usually end up proving them wrong.
For beginner students we offer an 8 week program that teaches the fundamentals of horsemanship or you can book private lessons and learn at your own pace.