You can train a horse a lot of different ways, using varying tools and techniques and levels of pressure.
You can also sort of hack performance together for any given level, but then you run into problems with incorrect basics as you advance up the levels. Megan has written about this and I find it fascinating - so I have been thinking about it with my teaching.
I teach to develop an independent, thoughtful rider, so most of my progressive training is toward that goal. But maybe I'm shorting basics necessary for higher performance inadvertently because I'm not teaching right at the highest levels (keeping in mind that I am not at that level.)
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| I wrote this as a "goal" in Jan 2014 - I've been thinking on my role as riding instructor for a long time |
These are my meditations today during summer camp.
I'm not certain that meditation is possible during summer camps, but I love the photo of Tango!
ReplyDeletehahaha probably not, but it IS something I think about!
DeleteGorgeous photo of you two and it is something to think deeply about
ReplyDeletethanks
DeleteI'm a believer in teaching effectiveness first and refining later, but agree that it's a gray area and worthy of thoughtfulness. And I will never forget when one trainer I rode with observed another instructor working with students, saying "that will all need to be unlearned later." Tricky balance for sure!
ReplyDeleteI KNOW! Ugh. So hard. I find myself drifting towards being the sort of trainer who might put a student on the lunge line forever hahaha
DeleteI like what you wrote in 2014. I think the word "empower" is so important, building students up rather than nitpicking them to death is a lesson that a lot of instructors could use :)
ReplyDeleteI totally agree! Riding has empowered me to do so many things - I want to give that to my students as well.
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