I was a fearful rider when I first started riding lessons. At 10 years old, I was scared of my own shadow and I had to be coaxed into every new equestrian experience.
A fearful rider is not necessarily opposed to riding horses—I wasn’t. It is true that some timid riders are being pushed into riding when they aren’t keen on the idea, but this isn’t always the case. Some students are just a little less daring and more concerned about self-preservation.
Nothing wrong with that.
However, riding instructors must learn how to work with all different types of students. Teaching the fearful rider is in many ways more challenging than teaching a bold one, and it takes talent to ensure the safety of these timid riders.
Communicate with Parents
If you are teaching a young fearful rider, the best thing you can do both for your student and for yourself is to communicate with his or her parents. They know their child better than anyone else and can best advise you on how to encourage your student.
With that said, don’t push a fearful rider farther than you think is appropriate. Parents do not always understand the risks inherent in equestrian activities, so you’ll need to filter their advice through your own experience to decide how to proceed.
You should definitely find out if there is a reason your fearful rider is afraid. Maybe she had a bad accident on horseback before. Or perhaps she saw someone hurt in a fall and believes the same thing will happen to her. This information is invaluable as you address your student’s concerns.
Build a Rapport
The most important aspect of a riding instructor’s relationship with his student is trust. If your students don’t trust you, they need to find someone else to teach them to ride.
If you try to suggest a scary activity to a student who doesn’t have any faith in your ability to keep him safe, he will be far less likely to take your advice. Concentrate on building a solid rapport based on trust.
You need to tell your student that you will never ask him to do something he can’t handle. Explain that your first priority is his safety, and that you have taught for X amount of years and have a good idea what your students are capable of.
Create Boundaries
A fearful rider must learn to control her horse in baby steps. It’s sort of like a parent teaching her toddler to walk. You ask for a few shaky steps, then catch the baby to show him he isn’t in any danger.
For example, let’s say your student is terrified of the canter. Understandable, because a canter seems much faster than the trot and involves unfamiliar sensations. So rather than just asking your rider to pick up the canter, create boundaries that make her feel safer.
She might canter first on the lunge line, or perhaps down the short side of a small indoor arena. You can even use the round pen if it helps.
Focus on Strength
Strong riders are far less fearful than weak riders. They learn to trust in their muscles, and they feel more confident in the saddle.
When my riders start taking riding lessons, they learn how to drop their stirrups at the walk. They get in the two-point at the walk, post the walk and turn circles at the walk. I focus on building their muscles as well as their confidence.
My riders do not get to canter until they can trot without stirrups at least twice around the arena. This means that they are strong enough to stay on their horses through a rough (albeit slower) gait, and are therefore more likely to have control at the canter as well.
This tactic is most important with a fearful rider.
Nudge—Don’t Push
It’s okay to suggest that a fearful rider broaden her horizons, but most students will let you know when they are ready to try something new. Their personal defense mechanisms are working hard to keep them safe.
You might know in your gut that a fearful rider can canter for the first time, but if she doesn’t think she is able, the canter is still dangerous. A lack of confidence gets riders hurt more often than anything else.
Nudge your riders to try new things and conquer their fears, but don’t push. If you keep railing at a rider to do something with which he is not comfortable, you are only going to breed mistrust and resentment.
The Fearful Rider Will Gain Confidence
If you work hard enough at showing a fearful rider that she doesn’t have to be scared, eventually those fears will melt away. If not, she might discover that she would rather be dancing ballet or playing the piano, or reading books.
Let your students work at their own pace—as long as it is a safe place. Everyone will have more fun if you keep that in mind.
About the Author: Laura Jane Thompson is the Editor in Chief of Riding Instructor University and the Feature writer for the horses section at Suite101. Follow her EquiTips on Twitter.
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i very much like all your information that you have been sending me over the last year .