A Letter to Riding Students Everywhere
A letter to riding students everywhere,
First off, we are excited that you decided to give horses a try. Even if it doesn’t prove to be your life’s passion, we hope you learn some lessons that you can carry on as you move on in life.
The process of learning about riding and horsemanship provides opportunity to make life long friends. As well as learn lessons that are harder to learn elsewhere.
In this day and age of instant gratification, learning to ride is going to teach you that you have to work hard , getting good takes time ! It’s hard work, but nothing that is worth doing in life comes easily.
Your instructor will chose your horse for you, based on what they think you need to work on, and what horse can best teach you that lesson. You will love some of the horses you ride, and dread riding others. Just remember, they all have something to teach us. Your Instructor knows this. That is why they choose particular horses for their students. Trust us !
Speaking of trusting us, we ask you to do things because we know you are capable. We would never ask you to do something you couldn’t do or ride a horse you wouldn’t be safe on. There is a method to our madness.
Some lessons are going to be hard or frustrating. You might even get scared, or want to give up and quit. It is okay to be afraid, we have all been there. If you talk to a person who has been riding there whole life they are lying if they say they have never been afraid. That being said, if you get scared ,please talk to us ! Help us understand what is bothering you, so we can break things down into smaller steps to help build your confidence back up again.
All good instructors know it’s way easier to build confidence ,than to gain it back when it has been lost.
Our job as your teacher is to build your confidence slowly and systematically. To put you on the right horse or pony, for the right reason, at the right time in your riding journey. Sometimes it will be to help gain confidence back. Other times it is to challenge you. So if we put you on a new or different horse , be enthusiastic ! We see you progressing and think you are ready to work on something new. We think this horse will be a better fit to help us teach you these new skills.
As long as you come to the ring with a positive attitude, decide that you are going to keep on trying and are willing to learn, you will be like a sponge. Soaking up both good and bad experiences. There really are no bad lessons, because it has been said many times that no time spent in the saddle is wasted !
When you are frustrated just remember that all of us instructors have once been in your boots ! We all started on a lesson horse somewhere and we know what a struggle it can be. Don’t think that we don’t understand what you are going through. In fact we most certainly do, that is why we are encouraging you ! As well as giving you a little push when necessary ! We know it’s necessary because someone did it for us when we were learning and needed it most !
Think of your first lesson to where you are now…. You may have a lot more to learn, but you have come a long way ,baby ! Be proud of yourself, we most certainly are.
Next, thank you !! Thank you for the opportunity to teach your lessons. We learn just as much from watching you ride and interact with the horses as you learn from our riding lessons.
We hope that we impact your life in a big way, whether you make riding your life long sport or just try it out for a little while. We are proud of what you have learned to do with horses, no matter how far you decide to go with it.
Yours Truly,
Your Riding Instructor
P.S- Always wear your helmet !!!!!
