Perhaps you are just beginning to take riding lessons, or maybe you have been taking lessons for years. Either way, you can become a more effective student and retain the valuable information presented to you in your lessons. There are several techniques that can be useful both during the lesson and after you are done riding.
Be Prepared. It may seem obvious, but remember to be timely and participate whole heartedly. Trainers are often amazed that many people arrive late for their lessons, are unprepared, or simply don't put much effort into their ride. Your lessons are expensive, so don't waste your time or money by not being ready on time.
Warm Up. The warm up will prepare both you and your horse for a workout. However, a warm up that is too long or grueling will wear your horse out. An a basic warm up consists of walking and trotting with light rein contact for about five minutes prior to beginning a lesson. Take this time to stretch and prepare yourself. If you had a stressful day at work, this is the time to relax and focus. In order for you to have a safe ride, you need to be mindful and present.
Write it down. Have a list of questions handy. If you have experienced difficulty with your rides since the last time you saw your trainer, be sure to mention it very early in the lesson. Keep track of issues that arise during the week with a riding journal. Consulting the journal will help your trainer devise appropriate lesson plans. If you haven't ridden all week, be honest about it. Your instructor may be able to offer you some time management advice or motivation that will help keep you on track. During the lesson, make every effort to do as the instructor says, responding as quickly as possible. If you physically can not keep up with your instructor, ask them to slow down. Unless you are showing obvious signs of fatigue, your instructor may not be able to gauge your physical limits.
Know your learning style. If you know that you are a visual learner, ask your instructor to draw you a diagram, or even to demonstrate on horseback. The use of mirrors and cones are also helpful for visual learners. Audio learners may find music or the use of a metronome during their lesson to be helpful. Video taping lessons is also effective for some, but could be detrimental to the highly self conscious riders. If you learn more by reading or note taking, ask your instructor what books they recommend. And remember to use your imagination and visualize yourself riding when you are away from the barn. Children do this naturally, and it is one reason that they often progress so quickly.
Communicate. Keep an open dialog with your instructor about your worries, goals, and areas of confusion. Your feedback will help them design an the best lesson plan and teaching techniques for you. A good instructor is easily able to adapt to the needs of their students and will happily help you discover the right balance of learning techniques for you.
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