What Makes A Good Instructor?

Ask if the instructor has any accreditation such as such as certificates. You will know that an instructor holding a certificate is trained in first-aid, riding skills, and coaching.

The horses must look healthy, the stables tidy and clean, and their first priority be safety. Ask if you can watch a lesson.

Here’s what you can look for:

• Are all the students wearing approved riding helmets, and proper boots or safety stirrups?
• How many students are in a group lesson? Does it appear too crowded in the riding area to be safe?
• Does the instructor speak to students respectfully or is he/she a screaming tyrant?
• Is the riding area free from clutter, except for the equipment specifically being used in the lesson?
• Are all the exits from the arena or riding ring closed so that a runaway horse can not escape through a low doorway or out into a driveway or road?
• Do all the students seem to be at the same level, or is the instructor paying attention to an advanced rider while the others plunk around?
• Is the instructor giving all of his/her attention to the students or are they chatting to by-standers or talking on a cell phone?
• Do the students and horses appear to be well matched?
• Is there any improvement in the student’s riding by the end of the lesson?
• Does everyone leave the lesson happy? Don’t be afraid to ask the students their opinions.
• Does there seem to be overall attention to safety, and welfare of the horses and riders?