4 of 4

Write now Article Tools

Horseback riding is an expensive pastime. Riding lessons may seem prohibitive in terms of their cost versus the amount of time you get with an instructor. However, if you make good use of your lessons, you may find this to be a price that is well-justified.

The first step to getting the most out of your lessons is to think about the trainer you are working with. The trainer should be someone you're comfortable around. They need to know how far to push you, and you should feel constantly challenged, but not overwhelmed by the lessons. It is important that the trainer be knowledgeable and capable of teaching at your level of riding. The same trainer who taught you as a beginner might not be right for you if you're training at an advanced stage.

Once you have found the right trainer, you may face a decision in choosing whether group or private lessons are right for you. Group lessons can range from two or three students up through seven or eight. (Although I have seen group lessons of ten and more riders, I wouldn't recommend it due to the lack of attention you will receive.) I found that group lessons worked well for me when I was just beginning riding, as everyone was at the same basic level and the group was small enough so that the instructor could give each rider a good deal of personal attention. As I moved into the more advanced levels of riding though, the group lessons became somewhat restrictive, especially when I moved onto jumping. Riders at higher levels may require more fine-tuning, so to say, which an instructor might not be able to provide in a group setting. Lessons for higher level riders are likely to be more productive if they are one-on-one with the instructor, or held with a very small group.

It is important to use your lesson time wisely. If you are capable of doing so, arrive early and warm your horse up so you are ready to go when your lesson starts. Try to put other thoughts out of your head, and just concentrate on what is happening at the moment. If you are training for an upcoming competition, try not to think about it, hard as this may be doing so is likely to distract you from your riding and make it more difficult to recall your lesson later.

Most importantly, don't consider your lesson over when you leave the arena. It has only just begun. Ask your trainer to summarize your progress and the areas that you need to work on. Try to record the suggestions your trainer has given you as soon as possible. Many riders find it beneficial to keep a riding journal in which they log what they focused on during their lessons, what their instructors suggested for improvement, and which areas of their riding have improved.

If you still find it difficult to recall your instructor's comments, try to have a friend come to record your lesson. You can watch the lesson at home later, and having it on video also gives you the advantage of being able to see what the instructor is seeing and commenting on. This can also be highly rewarding if you take the time to review tapes of lessons from a few months prior, as it will allow you to see your improvement over time.

Take every advantage to put what you have worked on in your lessons to good use. Don't get discouraged. Working with your instructor's advice, both mentally and physically, can make one lesson go a long way.

Learn more about this author, Paige Cerulli.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.

Add your voice

Know something about Horseback riding: How to make the most of riding lessons?
We want to hear your view. Write now!