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By: Deb Mazza
 Have you ever imagined yourself walking boldly into
a paddock to catch "your horse"? You slip the halter on smoothly, close the snap,
and then your well-trained animal walks calmly beside you, through the gate, and
waits patiently as you close it. From there, you groom your horse effortlessly,
saddle and bridle it without fuss and then, you are ready to ride. Your Riding
Instructor is in the ring, ready to teach. You either head for a block, or ramp, and your
horse waits patiently for you to climb aboard. As you feel the morning sun on
your face, you breathe a contented sigh.
LIFE is GOOD!!!
Here is your chance to make that imagined scene
really happen for YOU, no matter how inexperienced or worried you are; no matter
what your age. I have seen this happen many times in my 30 years as a Horseback
Riding Instructor and it CAN happen for you.
My question to you is: ....................Are
You Ready To?
The only way to put horses into your life with
safety and fun is to find a riding instructor that you can connect with. Here
are a few questions to ask a riding instructor or yourself as you begin the
process:
1. What does the farm look like? Is the barn neat
and are fences in good repair?
2. Is there an enclosed riding area?
3. What is the farm's safety record? As you watch
a few lessons, are the horses well-behaved?
4. Are the Horses healthy?
5. Are you able to spend pre-lesson time with a
horse or does someone else do all the grooming and saddling for you?
6. Is the riding instructor available to work
with you during the lessons or is it an assistant?
7. Do all the riders wear helmets? If not, really
think about that- you only have one head and it won't last long if you fall on
it!
8. Is the instructor patient and compassionate
with the riders? What tone does the coach use during the lessons?
9. Is there an awareness of each rider's learning
style and fear level?
10. How does the riding instructor handle
challenges or problems in the ring?
11. Are there opportunities to become involved
with horses other than riding?
12. Are you able to watch and work with more
advanced riders?
13. Are you financially and physically able to
commit to one lesson per week? The more we repeat a process, the faster we learn
it.
14. Are you able to do any type of physical
fitness work between lessons to gain endurance?
15. Do students look like they are having fun?
Wouldn't YOU like to learn how to be happy with
horses? START RIGHT Now by printing these questions and then looking for your
Horseback Riding Instructor!
Article Source:
http://www.freewebarticles.info
Deb Mazza is a 1976 honor Graduate of Meredith
Manor School. Discover how you can use her skills to become the confident
horseback rider you have always dreamed of being. She lives in Bridport, VT.
Learn more at www.myhorsetreasures.com
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