How to Ride a Horse

Choosing a Riding Instructor

The best way to find a great horseback riding instructor in your area is by word-of-mouth. If you have a friend who rides horses, he or she may already know just the right person to recommend. Many communities have reputable horseback riding facilities, such as the stables at Washington, DC’s Rock Creek Park or even Central Park in New York City. These facilities have trained staff on hand to provide riding lessons as well.

If, however, you live in a community that does not offer access to public horseback riding lessons the following resources are available.
• Look up riding stables or horseback riding in your local business directory or yellow pages.

• Go to a horse show and ask the trainers.
• Check bulletin boards at feed and tack stores.
• Referrals from organizations that offer accreditation for coaches and instructors.
• Make inquiries at local stables or farmers’ markets in your area. Even if they do not offer lessons, they may know someone who does.

Ideally, your coach should have accreditation from a recognized association and in some jurisdictions; accreditation is required for all horseback riding instructors. These associations might include:

• Certified Horsemanship Association - Find a Coach
• Meredith Manor
• British Horse Society
• Christian Camping Horsemanship International
• American Association for Horsemanship Safety
• American Riding Instructors Association
• Equine Canada
• North American Riding for the Handicapped Association

When searching for a horseback riding instructor, you should look for these associations or for similar state or provincial licensing authorities. There are, however, exceptions to every rule. Lots of great riding instructors do not hold certificates and are normally found by word-of-mouth. At the very minimum these instructors should hold a current first-aid certificate. They should have verifiable references and skills; the horses must look healthy; the stables neat and clean; and their first priority should be the safety of their pupils. Regardless of whether or not the instructor is accredited, when hiring a riding instructor for children, be certain that it is permissible to watch a lesson or two. Key factors to observe when seeking a riding instructor:

Do students wear approved riding helmets, proper boots and using safety stirrups?

Does the instructor pay attention to the safety, and welfare of the horses and riders?

How many students are in a group lesson? Groups with ratios of more than six riders to one instructor may be too crowded for the instructor to give adequate attention to each rider.

• Does the instructor speak respectfully to students or is he/she yelling?
• Is the riding area free from unnecessary clutter?
• Are all the exits from the riding ring closed so that a horse cannot escape into a driveway or road?
• Do all students seem to be at the same level?
• Is the instructor paying attention to an advanced rider while ignoring the others?
• Is the instructor distracted by by-standers or talking on a cell phone?
• Do the students and horses appear to be well matched?
• Can you observe any improvement in the students riding at the end of the lesson?
• Do students appear to be pleased with their lesson?

In your search for any riding instructors and stables, bear in mind that many states also require that riding stables be licensed. Stable licensing organizations and associations include:

• British Horse Society
• Maryland Horse Industry Board
• Association of Irish Riding Establishments
• Australian Horse Riding Centres
• Michigan Licensed Riding Stables
• Ontario Equestrian Federation Horse Facilities Member List