Back to: Therapeutic Riding Instructor
Therapeutic Riding Instructors are responsible for planning the lesson sessions. Things to consider when planning your sessions;
- Understand the difference between the terms able-bodied and disabled.
- Group like abilities together-know the disability and the limitations it imposes on the rider e.g. lack of body awareness, inability to coordinate movement.s
- Keep physically disabled riders separate from developmentally delayed riders.
- Group, where possible according to age, e.g. teenagers and young adults; young children.
- Get advice from the therapist or specialist to set up exercise programs and goals.
- Evaluate the physical and mental progress of the rider.
- Plan horses so that the rider is comfortable, e.g. riders with spasticity should ride a narrow horse, while riders with spina bifida should ride a broader horse.
Lesson preparation-safety a top priority
- supervise horses in stable, grooming
- check all tack, special equipment
- be aware that 4-6 horses are enough in one group
- choose an area for riding that is closed off, has even and soft surfaces (especially for beginner rider)
- plan and organize teaching aids, i.e. demonstration, mirrors, cones, games equipment
Remember to encourage, have fun, let the riders help themselves!
Content of lesson-approximate time up 3/4 to 1 hour
- Mounting
- Warm-up
- Exercises (agreed with a therapist)
- Learning a riding skill
- Games (adults-dressage figures, tests)
- Dismounting
Use a basic lesson plan for teaching skills
- Explanation-what, why, how
- Demonstration (by yourself or senior rider)
- Practice
- Review and correction-be specific and positive
- Practice and consolidation
- Evaluation
During a lesson be aware of..
- Position of horses at a halt, during games; watch spacing at all times
- Look for warning signs of possible problems; horses; ears, eyes, tail, and people; fatigue, frustration, fear.
- Place yourself so that you can see the whole ride; the lesson tone will depend on the instructor’s attitude, voice, discipline, appearance, and dress.
Loving it!!! It is really helping me earn my highschool credits, learning about something I love.