Learning to Ride

We are often asked how long does it take to learn to ride?

So we ask how long is a piece of string? Each person is a different individual so how can you gauge the time needed? But to give you some idea as to the time needed to become a true horseman - in a clinic held in SA (2003) by Andreas Hausberger, instructor at the Spanish Riding School said - "The pupils at the Spanish Riding School are lunged for 3-5 years, for a half hour each day, doing no other riding during this time. In the first year they are not allowed to even touch the reins, detailed lessons only start in the second year".

It is important that an individual with any impairment enjoys the early intervention of corrective stimulation because if left as the person gets older the chances for maximum rehabilitation are diminished.

The Progression From "Therapeutic Riding" to "Sport & Skill"

Sport and Skill...

As the child progresses where possible therapy is to be offered in balance with achieving riding skills set in a safe and un-stressful situation using basic normal dressage, equitation and jumping principles to create harmony with the horse.

Therefore Therapeutic Riding can be defined as a progressive and holistic educational system that reaches beyond the expectations of a normal riding lesson or a normal therapy session. It is where horse-riding skills are adapted to provide a specific benefit to any developing child.

We also make use of the basis of the RDA proficiency tests to examine and demonstrate the increased ability of our riders.

Differences in Riding Styles

What are the main differences between therapeutic and conventional riding? In conventional riding the instructor is looking to create the greatest possible riding ability and there is very little room is allowed for difficulties.

Which is why if conventional riding principles are applied to a child who is failing or who has difficulty in coping with conventional schoolwork they will expect to fail at riding too, often resulting in the rider giving up or hating riding. This makes it important to coach the rider using suggestions rather than direct instructions, which are not always attainable.

So in a therapeutically based lesson the horses used need to be very well schooled having a greater level of sensitivity. They will often alter their pace or foot fall to suit the rider and will tell the leader when the child is sitting asymmetrical, this is by nudging or nipping the leader uncharacteristically.

A perceptive instructor can use the temperament of the horse used to further add to the therapeutic value of the lesson. To do this accurately when schooling the horses used their instincts and feelings should not be damaged in any way, this being by forcing the horse to compromise or subduing it within the work done. Horses that are unhappy often need to be ridden with whips, spurs or by being kicked on because they are dead to the leg, all of which, just teach violence.

The instructors ability to psychoanalyse the rider to determine if an ineffective position stems from a physical difficulty a learning difficulty, fear or the need to be manipulative over the instructor.