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Post by Chocomare on May 25, 2007 8:59:52 GMT -5
Had my farrier, DJ Williams, out last evening for the girl's 4-week trim. She had a new apprentice with her. Nice young lady...about 22/23. Very sweet and eager to learn from my farrier.
She loved Penny (of course) but when Tank came out, wow! She was like "I've never seen such a beautiful big Percheron!" I was beaming. And Tank was a very good girl for her pedicure.
Right after, my farrier was like "Would it be ok if Whitney rode Tank in the back paddock a little?" I went "Sure! Everyone should experience The Equine Sofa!" So off I go to grab my tack.
As I wheel out the cart and remove the saddle cover, Whitney gulps and says "Um, I've never ridden english....ever." Well I look at DJ, look back at Whitney and say "Well then. It's lesson time!"
I tacked up Tank and walked her over to the mounting platform, instructing Whitney on the right way to get on. Once in the ring, I placed her body, legs, hands and feet/heels where they belonged and we began. It was only about 20 minutes.... basic walk-on, whoa/halt, a few circles, etc. The girl was just glowing! She then asked "Can I take lessons regularly from you?"
Um.... "Sure! How about each Saturday at 8?" And so it was done.
It felt so very very good to teach again. It felt even better because this young lady truly wants to learn. And not just riding. I told her that I teach the whole package: Horsemanship. There will be homework, studying and tests. She agreed to it all!
I will be teaching her on Penny, though. P is much more light to the aids. Oh and she's not 17.3 hands! ;D
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Post by trista on May 25, 2007 10:09:08 GMT -5
That is so good. I am so glad. There is something about working on the Vision and desires God gives us that gives us such satisfaction and enjoyment. Hopefully this is just another step to accomplishing your dreams. I am so excited for you. If I was there I would take you out to eat or something to celebrate. LOL! God is so good.
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Post by trista on Jun 2, 2007 20:09:48 GMT -5
;DSo how has the the training been? I am looking forward to hearing some stories. You know I am praying my farrier gets an apprentice. Anyway let me know what's going on.
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Post by shadowsrider on Jun 3, 2007 9:51:59 GMT -5
I took a two year hiatus a few years back. I'd been averaging 60 students a week for about nine years at that point, and just flat out got burned out. When I went back to it, I now only teach and train a few (I now have two small children, 6 and 11) and can pick and choose those who truly want to learn, plus, I no longer teach throughout the winter. I'm DONE with freezing my butt off in the riding ring all winter long. All in all, I find myself to be much more enthused, patient, and HAPPY with lessons again. I don't know what your circumstances were, but it sounds like you are happy teaching again, so that's grand!  |
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Post by trista on Jun 3, 2007 14:23:47 GMT -5
Wow with all these great Christian teachers do any of you have a desire to visit Louisiana for I don't know a week. LOL! Not that I could learn everything in a week but hey I am not opposed to learning everything I can. LOL! No that is amazing 60 students a week I am glad you took some time off shadowsrider. That work load sounds liek it could turnyou off to teaching fast. I guess some of my thoughts was that it was all one on one lessons but you might have had a couple of people together. Anyway that is pretty cool.
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Post by trista on Jun 9, 2007 8:54:08 GMT -5
Yes I am back again. Since this thread was about teaching I will just post here. I was riding Di this morning and as I am just riding her around in the front(north) pasture I was thinking about all the things she still has to learn. For those who do not know I have had Di for a little over a year now and she is my first and currently only horse. I have been training her to ride and since I did not "grow up around horses" I have lots to learn. I praise God for this forum and the other one I am in because Susan and everyone else has been so helpful. So here is my question if you get a trainer do they teach you how to ride in your discipline which teaches your horse how to ride or is the horse already trained and the rider just learns? I would like to ride english and do some jumping but I know my horse has to get grounded in a few things or at least that is what I think. So if you have some knowledge and wisdom please share. Thanks.
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Post by shadowsrider on Jun 10, 2007 12:17:12 GMT -5
Most of it was group lessons.  It's definitely easier for you to learn on a horse that already has experience in that discipline. However, if you and your horse work well together, if you both are calm and easy-going, it can work, but of course it will all go slower and there is more risk of confusion over something. |
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Post by Chocomare on Aug 15, 2007 6:18:30 GMT -5
Well, so much for teaching Whitney. She has yet to call me to schedule a single lesson.  No big deal, actually, since I have A NEW STUDENT -- She's the 13 y/o daughter of the sweetest couple you've ever met from my church. We had VBS the last week of July and one of our members (Shane) brought his dead-quiet gelding to give pony rides on.... kinda went along with the "Avalanche Ranch" theme thing. Oh, of course, all the kids wanted to ride and were excited but there was something different in Ashley's face. Ashley is a very quiet, somewhat shy girl. Very soft spoken and gentle. A real beauty, both inside and out. When Shane let her ride the gelding alone in the round pen, her face just glowed. When she looked at me as I gave her some basic instructions, her eyes were nearly exploding with sheer delight. I recognized that look. It was the same one I gave to anyone who had a horse when I was that age. The look that says: "Oh, I would so love to ride that horse but I'm afraid to ask. Maybe they'll just notice my eyes and offer. Maybe, maybe, maybe."Without saying anything to Ashley, I later pulled aside her mom, Kathy, and offered to teach Ashley if she and her husband blessed it. Knowing that they're much like my parents were back then....you know, not made of money....I only asked for $5 per lesson. It's not about the money to me. It's about letting a girl have a chance I didn't get. It's about letting some of her dreams come true. After her parents spoke and asked Ashley what she thought, I got a very excited e-mail agreeing to it. I politely explained that Ashley would need to be properly fitted for a riding helmet and come in hard shoes or paddock boots AND that she wouldn't just be coming to ride--she'd be learning how to care for a horse. I will expect her to eventually catch Penny, groom and tack up by herself once I see she's learned it properly. So, we'll see how this goes and just how serious this girl is. Time will tell! |
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Post by trista on Aug 16, 2007 19:32:07 GMT -5
That sounds great. Makes me wish I had someone like you around when I was little. At least whe nI was in Jr High school I got to ride the neighbors horse a few times. That was so cool and I than k God for using people to bless me with things like that and I am sure this girl will probably do the same when she thinks about you.
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Post by Chocomare on Aug 20, 2007 9:25:11 GMT -5
Thanks T. Hopefully I'll have another student to ride in the same class. She's the adult daughter of a dear woman at my church. Courtney has seen some very rough times (in and out of drug rehab, etc.) but has been clean/sober for a year. She dearly loves horses and has basic knowledge but she needs to learn how to ride properly. So, my class is potentially fully now. |
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Post by trista on Aug 29, 2007 22:08:29 GMT -5
So cool, Did the other girl ever make it? How are the classes going? Did you get some rain?
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Post by Chocomare on Sept 17, 2007 10:38:31 GMT -5
Well Ashley had her intro lesson on Saturday. We covered the rules, took a tour of the barn and farm, went over safety issues and did a quick grooming lesson. She also received her first homework lesson: I gave her a picture of a horse with identifying markers on the various body parts. She knows that she must memorize them by next Saturday and will have a test  She's a good listener but I'll be working on getting her to make eye contact with me. She's so shy, she just can't seem to do that yet. She was quite awed by Tank....but then any 17.3, 2,000 pound animal will awe anyone, especially a little girl. Per her mom yesterday at church, Ashley could talk of nothing else from the time they left until bed time. She even did a grooming on the dog to practice! So, I hope that this is one of "those" kids who isn't just horse crazy but wants to learn and do well. We'll see! |
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Post by shadowsrider on Sept 26, 2007 20:04:53 GMT -5
Ashley does sound like she's going to be a lot of fun, I love those quiet and shy ones that are sooooo excited to learn to ride. It's amazing watching them bloom and come out of their shell when they realize they have a skill and a talent that few other of their peers do. Good luck, and I hope it works out! |
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Post by Chocomare on Sept 29, 2007 19:37:05 GMT -5
#iagree6zv# Well Miss Ashley came up to the barn this morning, proudly carrying her new Fuschia Troxel helmet! Twas gawjus!!!
She had about a 1/2 hour tacking up and leading lesson. Then I hoisted her up and we began. She did pretty good and by the end could walk Penny by herself, whoa/halt and back. I then made her put P back in the cross ties as I showed how to untack properly. Then I made her unclip her and put P back in the stall.....all by herself. She did it!
She might be shy, a wee bit nervous/scared, but she doesn't let it rule her. She listens to what I tell her and tries her very best to do it.
Next week's home: memorize the parts of a saddle and bridle!
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Post by texastulip on Oct 1, 2007 19:32:00 GMT -5
Very cool! I remember you dreaming about teaching riding lessons when we first met...and now it's reality. Perhaps you'll have your Forever Free Riding School sooner than you think. God is so good.
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