Posts
"Life is too short to learn it all by yourself,
if you have something, you must share it"
Learning the Games
It is in my nature to teach. When I truly learn something, I want to express it. By helping others to discover those same things-in the form of attitudes, skills, techniques-my own learning is strengthened. Time and time again, its the basic concepts that help to 'decode' more advanced concepts. There's nothing like doing some maintenance on the foundations! I also love sharing horsemanship with people, any people, no matter how small or transient their interest.
Chatting about Horse Behaviour
I started out teaching my friends to ride, which gradually merged into teaching acquaintances, and from there I started gaining outside clients. At this stage I am not qualified to teach, so I share my knowledge from the point that it furthers my learning and development. I'm also limited in that I don't qualify for freelance insurance yet. Although I teach on a voluntary basis, I gladly accept donations. These donations help cover the costs of my horses, and also help fund my personal training.
How to hold the reins
My resources, and our safe, dependable horses and ponies enable me to share my experience in a fun way. I've taught toddlers, children, and adults. Pippin, and I have given many children their first rides. I've
helped people to gain confidence, and I've assisted experienced riders.
First ride ever!
Horse psychology is the basis for all my teaching, there is no point in producing excellent riders that can't read the horse, even if it is possible (and I have my doubts that it is). I teach regularly with my own horses, and have helped people on their horses too. Some horses need more intensive work, and so they have come to me for an extended period.
On Line lesson
Move with the horse...
Above all, riding is meant to be fun! We enjoy going for hacks together, seeing what we can do with the herd and a group of people, and attempting different obstacles and challenges such as jumping and bareback riding. I have a team of people only too eager to help with the dirty jobs: from mucking out to fence-fixing!
Hanging out with the ponies...
Playing on a Cross-Country course
There is nothing more rewarding than watching a student progressing and developing. My most dedicated students are my younger sisters, Julie Anne (13) and Kate (8). I started teaching them to ride a couple of years ago, and from there taught them on a consistent basis. Both are doing fantastically, Julie Anne is about to film her Parelli Level 2 assessment, and Kate is playing in Level 2. Julie has been a challenging student, as she is very right brained and emotional and has also had to contend with the challenges of a short attention span. I have watched her develop into a confident horsewoman, who recognises her own behaviour reflected in her horse. Studying Parelli natural horsemanship has made an enormous difference to her life, not just with horses, but also in terms of understanding and managing herself. Like me, she has become a passionate advocate for horses and she dreams of Parelli Professional status as well.
Follow the rail lesson; imitating the rhythm and movement of the horse
Winter lesson
