How to Choose the Right Horse Riding Coach: Questions to Ask and Finding Your Best Fit

Building a Fulfilling Relationship with Your Coach for You and Your Horse

Choosing a horse riding coach is one of the most important decisions you'll make on your equestrian journey. The right coach not only helps you develop your skills but also ensures a safe, enjoyable, and rewarding experience for both you and your horse. With so many coaching styles out there, it's essential to ask the right questions and find someone whose teaching approach suits your learning style. Here’s how to go about it.

Questions to Ask When Picking a Horse Riding Coach

• What qualifications and experience do you have?

  • Find out about their certifications, years teaching, and experience across different riding disciplines. A solid background can add to your confidence and safety.

• What is your teaching philosophy or values?

  • Every coach has their own approach. Some focus on traditional methods, while others embrace modern, horse-centred techniques. Make sure their philosophy aligns with your goals and values (i.e. horsemanship, liberty, classical dressage and so on).

• How do you adapt lessons to different learning styles?

  • Ask if they tailor their teaching to suit visual, kinesthetic, or auditory learners. A good coach will know how to explain and demonstrate skills in multiple ways.

• What are your expectations for students and their horses?

  • Clear expectations around preparation, horse welfare, and commitment help avoid misunderstandings down the track.

• How do you handle setbacks or mistakes in training?

  • Their response will reveal their patience, attitude towards learning, and ability to foster resilience.

• Can I observe/audit a lesson or clinic or do a trial ride?

  • Watching them teach or having a trial lesson is a great way to see their style in action and check if you feel comfortable.

  • As you observe, pay attention to how the horse and rider perform in their lessons. Does the horse appear stiff, anxious, or show signs of tension? Is the rider becoming frustrated or struggling to understand what is being asked of them? Is the coach repeating the same thing over and over with no change? Might be signs of not a good fit for you and your horse.

  • Be ready to pay for your trial lesson, as it is not offered for free. This session provides an opportunity to "try before you buy" and lays the groundwork for ongoing lessons.

Understanding Your Learning Style

Everyone learns differently, so it’s important your coach can adapt their teaching style to suit you. Here’s a quick look at the main learning styles:

• Visual Learners: Prefer to watch demonstrations, diagrams, or videos. Ask if your coach uses visual aids or demonstrates techniques for you to see.

• Kinesthetic Learners: Learn best by doing and feeling. You’ll benefit from hands-on practice, with a coach who gives you space to try things under their guidance.

• Auditory Learners: Take in information by listening. Look for a coach who explains concepts clearly, uses verbal cues, and is happy to answer questions.

Share your preferred learning style with potential coaches and see how they respond. Their willingness to adapt can make a big difference to your progress and enjoyment.

How do you Process Information?

Did you know that the brain can only process three new pieces of information at a time? A good coach understands this and won't overwhelm you with too much information. Starting with simplicity is beneficial for both you and the horse. It may not feel like you're learning a lot in one session, but slow and steady truly wins the race in this context. A lesson might focus on just one thing, aiming to do it well and master it before moving on.

Other processing approaches you might need to consider, recognise or even work out for yourself:

• Do you need a short amount of time to digest what you have learnt in the lesson? Some people benefit from pondering things overnight and come back with more questions.

• Do you need to stop, pause, reflect in the lesson? (I call this the human's version of licking and chewing - like the horse does when it is processing.)

• Do you find it hard to remember what you learnt in the lesson?

• Can you paraphrase it back to your coach to confirm you understand what is being asked, visualised or felt?

Take some time to reflect on how you have learnt previously - what works well and what hasn't worked well. Talk to your coach about this - it's great to build that level of understanding so you can work together to get the best out of each session for you and your horse! Maybe even consider what approach your horse needs in this space too?

You might feel the urge to tackle advanced maneuvers or speed. However, if you're struggling with something, your coach should step back and focus on the fundamentals, which could be the root cause of your difficulties in more complex or faster movements. Be ready to master the basics before advancing. This approach is often best for both you and your horse, as it may reveal opportunities to improve strength or ability first. It also reduces the risk of injury to you or your horse, thereby enhancing the horse's overall posture and health in the long run.

Imagine you're attending your first weightlifting session, and someone asks you to lift twice your body weight. That's unrealistic! You'd risk injury or lose confidence. You need time to train, learn the proper technique, and build the strength required for such a feat. The same principle applies to you and your horse during training. You both need to gradually develop your skills and physical strength to easily achieve higher movements or faster speeds. So whoa up guys! Slow it right down, partner!

Conversely, you should seek a coach who pushes you, but not to the extent of causing panic, intense fear, or unsafe practices or feelings. So keep this in mind and speak up when you don't feel right. If the coach continues to push you through this feeling, they are not listening to your individual needs and might not have the right skillset for you in your journey.

Keep this in mind when searching for a coach, as they should align with the learning style described earlier in this post.

Look out for my upcoming post on enhancing your skills when learning with horses, which will further explore both the human's and the horse's abilities to handle and process information.

Getting to Know Your Coach for a Fulfilling Relationship

1. Have an Open Conversation: Be upfront about your riding goals, strengths, and the areas where you feel less confident. Ask your coach about their goals for you and your horse too.

2. Observe Their Interactions: Watch how they communicate with students and horses. Do they show patience, encouragement, and respect?

3. Start with a Trial Period: Agree on a few initial lessons before committing long-term. This allows both you and the coach to see if you click.

4. Seek Feedback: Invite honest feedback and be open to constructive criticism. At the same time, make sure you feel comfortable giving feedback if something isn’t working for you or your horse.

5. Prioritise Horse Welfare: Choose a coach who prioritises your horse's wellbeing in their instruction. This common value is essential for a successful partnership. Additionally, remain open to the possibility of improving or trying different approaches from what you currently practice.

6. Be a Repetitive Humble Beginner: Select a coach who can introduce you to new and possibly improved methods. Approach each lesson, yourself, as if you were a novice eager to learn. It's wise, (and more mature - funnily enough!) to abandon the "know-it-all" mindset and allow yourself to be open and vulnerable. It's the best platform for learning and advancing!

7. Recognise if it's not Ideal: Both coach and rider should be OK to part ways in a mature, positive way if their values/approaches don't align. However, if you notice a pattern of frequently changing coaches (aka a "coach hopper"), it may be time to reflect on any traits or triggers that might be affecting your ability to maintain a long-term relationship with a coach.

   
   

Choosing the Right Riding Instructor: Understanding the Difference Between Riding Skill and Instruction Ability

Just because someone is an excellent rider does not automatically make them a good instructor, and vice versa. It's important to be open to observing the qualities that contribute to effective teaching. Here are some key factors to consider:

• Communication Skills: A good instructor should be able to convey concepts clearly and effectively, adjusting their communication style to suit the needs of different students.

• Patience: Teaching requires patience, especially when students are struggling to grasp certain techniques. Observe how the instructor handles challenges and setbacks.

• Empathy: An effective instructor should understand the emotions and fears of their students and their horses, providing support and encouragement to help them progress.

• Knowledge of Teaching Methods: Look for instructors who have a solid understanding of various teaching methodologies and can adapt their approach based on the individual student’s learning style.

• Safety Awareness: A good instructor prioritises safety and welfare for both horse and rider, demonstrating a thorough understanding of risk management in riding.

• Experience with Different Skill Levels: An instructor should be able to teach riders of all levels, from beginners to advanced, adjusting their techniques and expectations accordingly.

• Positive Reinforcement: Look for instructors who use encouragement and constructive feedback rather than criticism to motivate their students.

By observing these qualities, you can find an instructor who not only excels in riding but also possesses the necessary skills to teach effectively, ensuring a productive and enjoyable learning experience for both you and your horse.

What Coaches are Available?

If you are in the Canberra region, check out the coaches in this area here.

Final Thoughts

Finding the right horse riding coach is about more than just credentials—it’s about building a partnership where you, your coach, and your horse all thrive. By asking thoughtful questions, understanding your learning style, and fostering open communication, you’ll set yourself up for a rewarding equestrian experience.

Just remember, it is supposed to be fun and make you smile, but you will face challenges in your riding journey - it's a natural part of this adventure. So, when you do get a little down or stuck, ask yourself why you are doing it and remind yourself of that undying passion and love for your amazing fur babies. You want to best you can be for them to have the best life on this planet with you. Sometimes it also may take some self-reflection to see if there are any traits that are restricting your ability to find a long-term coach. After all, it is a two-way partnership and you are 50% of that!

Tell me in the comments what you have found on your journey or what you are struggling with in your riding lessons in this space. I'd love to hear what you are experiencing. Happy riding, and here’s to many great lessons ahead!