How to Teach a Beginner's Riding Lesson

To teach a beginner's riding lesson, you have to know what you're doing. You should have many years of riding experience, a good and balanced seat, and light hands. If you have achieved this on your own, you are more qualified to teach a youngster just starting out, or an adult trying something new. The key during the beginning lessons is to teach balance on a horse, the basics of riding and control, relaxation, light hands and a relaxed seat, leg pressure, mounting and dismounting, saddling, bridling and horse care. Here's an idea of how to structure that first lesson.

Instructions

    • 1

      Have the student help you get the horse from the stall or field. Catching and haltering a horse is an achievement in itself. Teach proper leading, with the student standing to the left of the horse's head, just ahead of the horse's shoulder, one hand under the chin of the horse on the lead rope, one hand holding the rest of the lead rope.

    • 2

      Teach basic grooming of the horse's body, mane and tail, and hooves. Name parts of the body as they come up. Show what different brushes do for the horse's coat, and how to follow the hair growth while brushing.

    • 3

      Show the student how to bridle and saddle, and tighten the girth. Have the student recheck the girth prior to mounting. Show proper mounting technique from the left side, having the student gather reins before putting his foot in the stirrup to maintain control.

    • 4

      Show the student how to hold the reins, and how to turn right, left and stop. Remind her to never shout or scream while on top of a horse in an emergency, as this only frightens the horse. Teach the student how to squeeze with her legs to get the horse to move faster. Clip a lunge line on the horse and bring a lunge whip to the arena with you as you lead the student and horse to the arena.

    • 5

      Concentrate the first lesson on relaxation of the student and the basics of riding the horse at a walk. Try having the student ride without reins, stretching his arms straight out in various directions. Have the student lay down on the horse's neck and back on the horse's back. This will get his blood moving, remove stiffness and teach him to hold on with his seat and legs instead of hanging on to the reins. This will also get him naturally moving with the horse's movements, which teaches light hands. Teach good posture, sitting back on seatbones with shoulders and head in line with seatbones. When he picks up the reins, have him remove his feet from stirrups and stretch his legs down, rotating ankles. Teach proper leg placement and remind him to keep his heels down and toes in once back in the stirrups.Have him reverse directions, and once he is comfortable, remove the lunge line and let him try to guide the horse around the arena. His goal is to ride a straight line and make a perfect circle while maintaining relaxed posture and being light on the reins.

    • 6

      Teach after-lesson care, beginning with proper dismount with both feet out of stirrups. Have the student lead the horse out of the arena, and check if the horse is sweaty and needs to be walked. Have student help untack and brush the horse. Don't forget the carrots!