Horse Illustrated Magazine

You learn something new every day. At least, that’s how the saying goes, right? But at some point, you might find yourself in a stale place with your riding instructor. Or, perhaps you find the direction of your lessons or the barn’s goals don’t align with your own. You might be starting to look for your first riding instructor, or seeking an instructor in a new discipline.

As with everything else related to horses, taking lessons can be expensive. You want to be sure that you’re enjoying what you spend your hard-earned money and limited spare time on.

What are the best ways to make sure you’re continuing to learn how to ride your horse better, while still enjoying those precious moments in the saddle?

1. Decide what your riding goals are.

Are you a beginner who just wants to be comfortable on a horse at all three gaits, or a seasoned competitor looking to take your game to the next level?

It’s important to take some time to think about what your riding goals are and where you see yourself in the next year or two before setting out to find the right instructor.

Some instructors may only teach younger riders or those who want to ride for fun, while others are busy traveling the country, competing at the largest events. You don’t want to find yourself in a situation where you’re either not learning anything new because you’re more advanced than the barn, or you’re overwhelmed trying to keep up with those who are years ahead.

If you’re unhappy with where you are now, take a step back and consider why that is. Even if that means taking a couple weeks or months off from the saddle, you might need to consider a few things: Is it your horse? Is it your instructor? Is it the struggles from the outside world coming into your “horse time”?

“This sport is so emotionally charged that if you stand back and see that you really aren’t having fun, you need to find out why,” says Lauren Romanelli, owner and head instructor at Three Ring Farm in College Grove, Tenn. “Your instructor should be honest with you as to what might be the issue. If they think you’re not riding the right horse, they should be willing to tell you that, not just take your money and suggest purchasing a new saddle.”

2. Do your research.

Once you know the direction you want to go with your riding and what discipline you want to focus on, it’s time to do some research.

Checking out websites like the Certified Horsemanship Association and the American Quarter Horse Association’s Professional Horsemen allows you to search by discipline and location, giving you contact information for trainers.

Try doing a Google search on instructors and their farms, as well.

3. Schedule a visit and meet with the potential instructor.

This is the time for you to check out the farm, see how well the horses are cared for, and talk with not only the instructor, but current students and clients.

“I always invite potential new clients to come to the barn and meet us,” explains Romanelli. “We’ll talk and get a feel for each other. Sometimes things don’t work out based on personalities, and that’s OK.”

Arrive at the farm loaded with questions and your goals in mind, and be honest about what direction you want to go in your instruction.

“We like to sit down with [prospective students] and talk about their goals and what their expectations are, including what they expect out of us,” explains AQHA trainer Larry Spratto of Pickett, Wisc. “We are pretty upfront that we are on probation with them, and they are on probation with us, and six to eight weeks into it, we sit down and have a talk about how things are going.”

4. Know your learning style.

This one might be difficult, especially for newer riders. Are you the type that learns by watching, listening or doing? Do you want to see your instructor perform the actions aboard their horse, or can you figure it out on your own?

Talk with other riders and see how they learn and see what works for them. And make sure that the instruction is aimed in the right direction.

“There are some instructors, especially in eventing, that tend to watch the horse more, and then there are some that tend to watch the rider more,” explains Romanelli. “I think it’s pretty important to find someone that balances that, so I’m really careful that I’m not just watching the horse all the time, but also correcting position, because the rider’s position affects how the horse goes.”

Do you like to have a trainer who drives you more by being strict, or do you want a more laid-back atmosphere? This is important to consider when it comes to learning environments.

5. Continuing Education

Does your instructor believe in continuing their own education? Romanelli says this is a key component to choosing a new instructor.

“I think it’s very important for the coach to stay relevant with shows and lessons,” she says. “If the coach isn’t keeping up with the latest in rules, equipment and styles, then they’re not doing anyone any favors.”

Riding horses is an expensive sport, but it can be one of the most rewarding, so it’s important to make sure you’re getting value from the time and money you spend at the barn. If you feel at all uncomfortable with your instructor, be open about it and don’t be afraid to take the leap to find a new avenue to pursue your passion.

This article originally appeared in the September 2017 issue of Horse Illustrated magazine. Click here to subscribe!