background source: equestrianvacations.co.uk
"Types of riders - check which one are you" was pretty well received, which is why we decided to explore the topic of equestrian environment once again. Today we take a closer look at instructors and coaches - our teachers, who can help us bottom the equestrian knowledge, help us spread our wings... or the complete opposite. The process of teaching is always long and tedious, but with the right coach it should also be a pleasure and bring a lot of satisfaction to both sides.
Below we present 9 types of instructors and coaches, who can be met on your equestrian path. Which ones are valuable and which ones should be avoided? It is up to you to decide! :) Please, do not treat this article too seriously ;)
1. Loud
Scream is an inevitable element of each ride, regardless how far from your instructor you are, he or she wants to be heard. The "loud" is hot-blooded and prone to shout at his or her charge. Their explosive and choleric temperament might bring to tears, terrify, but also motivate. It is not pleasant to observe the "loud's" rides, but some people need those kind of commands. The "loud" ones and the decibels they produce have their supporters. However, most riders would not better understand their mistakes, when instead of calm explanation they get a shouted stream of words.
The biggest advantage of such instructors is that they do not need megaphones to conduct training on a big arena, because you will hear him loud and clear everywhere. Unfortunately, it is also an inconvenience, as other users of the same training arena may not hear their coaches, while the "loud" one appears.
source: oxbowstables.com
2. Ignorant
You go to a clinic or a high-class coach gets hired at your riding centre. His or her surname is a symbol of success and popularity in the equestrian world. How surprised you are, when the "ignorant" ostentatiously sits on prepared seat and gives you one, maybe two advice during the whole ride. It is not what you expected when you paid a lot of money, travelling a lot of kilometers to take part in such training. However, the "ignorant" drinks hot tea, and insists that his or her methods are right and sufficient. He or she will not turn some random rider into an international equestrian. Then why bother?
The "ignorant" never repeats his "precious" advice. If they tell you once to straighten up, they will not say it again, because they have given you a piece of advice, now you have to remember it and apply it on your own. In practice, you will ride straighten up for a few first minutes, and then you will slouch again. Thus, you need constant reminder to get rid of the habit.
The "ignorant" does not say twice, does not conduct rides for inexperienced riders with no equestrian bright future and definitely does not get up from the seat... Unless they have someone "top-notch" - then they might stand up for a while :)
The "ignorant" will be blatantly happy to speak on the phone during your training with an organiser of "big" competition and other riders, of higher class, who actually deserve their advice. The "ignorant" seems like somebody who deserves to be praised and cherished for merely being present. When they leave the stable without saying anything, it is a sign that the ride has been finished. It finished too early? Well, the "ignorant" has given you too much time already!
source: lafincastables.com
3. Brutal
Their techniques and methods contradict the theory "go slowly and you'll get far." Such coach uses sharper aids, usually also violence to obtain visible effect at the first ride with a horse, preferably during the first couple minutes. The "brutal" is usually male (but there are some women like that), because their methods are based on usage of physical strength, to which the horse's delicate muzzle must eventually surrender.
The "brutal" is an uncompromising and usually threatening person, more often than not having sadistic features, who treats horses as lazy and mean beings. Each "disobedience" of the horse and each failed approach in the "brutal's" mind should be punished. The "brutal" does not wonder how to "explain" and show the horse the right way to achieve something. They only use the punishment method. This type of coach will always be exasperated with their rider's lack of abilities, or incapability to perform some exercise. Thus, they usually react quickly, commanding their charges to get off the horse and getting into saddle themselves. Such instructor will gladly show you how to "properly" do something. It is a very sad sight, but unfortunately - common. It is terrifying that the "brutal" is both sure that he or she is absolutely right, as it is that the horrified environment and riders very rarely oppose them.
4. Lazy Joker
Abilities - check, knowledge - check, will - lack. The "lazy joker" is a positive person, but approaching teaching in a very ignoring way. It will be hard for you to get to know anything specific from him or her, because they turn most situations into joke, very gladly talking to a groom during your ride and bugging observers standing behind the manege's fence. The "lazy joker" is a good-for-nothing, who is not at all demanding, never reprehending, sometimes rewarding in order to encourage. They tend to be very scornful towards people who still try to improve their skills and do this at a slow pace.
However, if you show them how much you care about valuable advice and if you will passionately question them after each ride - what kind of mistakes you made, what you can improve etc. - they can change their approach. Nevertheless, it usually is very discouraging, so you have to be extremely motivated and persistent to attain such effect :)
source: equitours.com
5. Chatterbox
The "chatterbox" is usually a transitional stage for instructors who are very ambitious and "overzealous." They usually want to explain all the exercises, methods and rules so much that they flush you with a stream of words, which is difficult to fathom. Their huge asset is involvement, so there is a chance that along with time and gained experience the "chatterbox" will also relax a little. The "chatterbox" have to understand that each rider is different and they come to ride for other reasons. Not everybody wants the endless stream of information, many people want to learn something, but usually they want to enjoy riding as a form of entertainment.
There is also another type of "chatterbox" which can be characterised simply by being talkative. Unfortunately, when you want to focus on your ride and train a little, the "chatterbox" will overwhelm you with stories about their stable life, trainings and equestrian world. This type of "chatterbox" is usually represented by women, but you will also meet men. If you train simply to improve, and you are not interested in getting new friends or touching upon intimate matters, the "chatterbox" might tire you with their talkativeness.
6. Cheerful
As you might have deduced, the "cheerful" is very positive and warm. However, their knowledge is very narrow. Both in the field of dieting (horses eat: oats, grass, apples, carrots and sugar cubes, obviously!), veterinary and equestrian basics. It results from their lack of will to expanding their knowledge and gaining experience. The "cheerful" can be met when you are a child, on a distant end of the world, while spending holiday on the bosom of nature. They are usually responsible for your first contact with a horse. The "cheerful" will happily let you mount their horses, for which they have a single saddle and bridle. Helmet seems dispensable, because their Betty or Lucky will never buck anybody off! The "cheerful" has no instructor certificate and they never really learnt anywhere.
As a founder of the first equestrian experience, the "cheerful" is excellent, because they are efficient - they encourage you to horse riding and get some contact with animals. But problems might appear when you would want to constantly learn from the "cheerful" one. First: it is highly possible that dangerous situation will occur (they will never tell you to wear helmet), you will not learn a lot about the horse riding art, you will probably acquire bad habits and you will not get to know much of the equestrian world. However, some riders might adore this kind of approach.
source: traditionaleq.com
7. Strict
The "strict" is usually a transitional phase of instructors, who are very ambitious and "overzealous" before they get a little perspective on the trainings they conduct, but it also happens to be a characteristic of harsh and bitter people. From the very beginning they demand a 100% involvement from the rider and each observed lack of enthusiasm will be harshly commented. Have a hangover or did not get enough sleep? You have got to be kidding! The "strict" is always prepared, so should you. You will rarely hear any praise, but when it will happen, you will feel like a God. The "strict" may teach you a lot, but not everybody feels comfortable with such way of conducting trainings and how much they demand from their charges.
8. Whisperer
This person is pure gold. Their abilities and knowledge sometimes are not surprisingly immense, but they make up with their intuition, which makes you think sometimes that they have supernatural skills. Their touch or voice can do wonders. Horses, who are problematic both in stable and under a saddle, behave like lambs in their presence. When they are around, disobedient stallions are willing to reach compromise, lazy horses - are willing to work. When asked how they do this, they explain what they did step by step, but still we are not capable of repeating it. Simple activities done by them immediately give desired effect, when done by us - rather mediocre :)
Such coach is a real treasure for us when we are dealing with a difficult horse, who has negative associations and experience with humans. They might become a true inspiration in our pursuit of being a better and more "sensitive" rider.
9. True freak
Fortunately, this type of instructor is the most common one, and they have the biggest chance to get another generations hooked on horse riding. The "true freaks" are of different ages, they are not characterised by impressive equestrian skills and knowledge (which they gain with time), but by respect for other people, animals, joy from teaching, patience, creativity, and most of all - equestrian sense. For the "true freak" each day is a new day and even if they have been doing this for over 30 years, they still are fierce and devoted, being happy that they can do what they truly love. The "true freak" always care about their beloved field's good name, rather than being a star themselves. They are not only happy because horses exist, but they do everything to make other people feel the happiness as well.
Conversation with such coaches or instructors are always valuable and may help us solve various issues. Even when we feel like our trainings and cooperation with a horse makes no sense, the "true freak" will help us find some sense and joy in horse riding.
Those are all the types of instructors and coaches that you may meet on your equestrian "path." Which ones are valuable and which ones are better to be avoided? It is up to you to decide! :)
P.S. this is not the end of our articles about equestrian environment. Next time, we will analyse our horses :) Be ready and keep on visiting our blog! :)
Product successfully added to your shopping cart
