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Instructors are either freelance or employed by a riding establishment. Many professional competitors also train/teach a number of clients, although this will be more expensive (and obviously is not suitable for beginners). When choosing an instructor ask the following questions: • What you want to get out of your riding lessons? • What is your budget? • How far are you prepared to travel for lessons? • What teaching qualifications does your instructor have? • Is the instructor recommended by his/her current pupils? • If possible, watch them teaching – preferably an individual or group at a similar level to yourself. Do they communicate well with their pupil(s)? Are they patient? If you are a beginner, this will also give you an insight into what learning to ride involves. Riding Schools • All riding schools must have a licence, which is issued by the local authority. This focuses on the welfare of the horses and ponies. • The British Horse Society (BHS) and the Association of British Riding Schools (ABRS) run voluntary approval schemes which require high standards of instruction, safety and horse care. Accredited instructors/trainers • Most riding instructors have either the BHS or ABRS qualifications. • Other organisations with instructor/trainer accreditation schemes are: The Pony Club, British Dressage, British Eventing and the Riding for the Disabled Association. • The British Equestrian Federation (BEF) is developing a new UK Coaching Certificate (UKCC) for Equestrian Sport and Leisure relevant to all those involved in teaching, training or instructing. Why have lessons? Riding lessons are essential if you have never ridden before; to enable you to enjoy the sport safely and develop the correct skills. Even if you have been riding for years you will benefit from lessons; there is always something to learn (or unlearn, as we are all susceptible to bad habits). Your first lesson – what to wear? There is a wide selection of clothing and equipment available to riders that is both practical and safe; however this can be expensive and new riders should perhaps wait a short time before making this investment, until they are sure riding is for them. Riding hat: an essential piece of equipment, which must conform to current safety standards (in the UK these are PAS 015 or BS EN 1384). These can usually be hired (or sometimes borrowed) from riding schools. Second-hand hats should be avoided, because you do not know what wear and tear the hat has been exposed to and it may not offer full protection. Riding boots: there are two main types – ‘long’ boots, which come up to the knee and jodhpur boots, which only protect feet and ankles. Beginners can choose to ride in boots or closed sturdy shoes with a small, stout heel. Do not ride in trainers. Jodhpurs/breeches: are flexible, close-fitting trousers that allow the rider freedom of movement and protect the skin from ‘chaffing’ (which is likely to occur if trousers are loose-fitting). Beginners can opt to wear close fitting (but not tight) trousers. Body protectors: reduce the risk of serious injury in a fall. These are compulsory for some riding activities, such as cross-country competitions, but are not considered essential for basic riding. Again, second-hand equipment should be avoided. Basic safety Riding is a great sport, but everyone falls off from time to time. Riding skills take time to develop, plus horses and ponies are not machines – they can be unpredictable – and accidents will happen. Many falls are injury free, but some are not. There are a number of precautions you can take to minimise your risk of serious injury: • Always wear a hard hat that meets current health and safety standards when riding. (Look for the kitemark of the British Standards Institute on the label). Make sure the hat fits you correctly; the salesperson should be able to help with this. • Suitable clothing and footwear will also help you to ride better and therefore to be safer. Inappropriate footwear, such as a trainer, could get caught in the stirrup during a fall, which would increase the risk of a serious injury. • Invest in a body protector if you feel it would be appropriate. Many riders wear body protectors when jumping. • Ensure your horse matches your riding ability. Good riding schools have a range of horses and ponies that they can match to pupils’ experience. It is important that you are honest about your experience when booking your first lesson. • Be mindful of horses when you are on the ground. Do not walk close behind a horse unless you are confident it will not kick you. (Even if you are confident, you should still be aware of the potential for a ‘freak’ accident). Some horses are easily startled and will kick out if they feel threatened. This list is not exhaustive; the key is to be aware of the risks and take appropriate precautions. |
