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Getting Started
An immediate attraction to horses seems to be a rite of passage when you are a child. If you or your child is a devoted horse lover perhaps it is time to begin looking for lessons. As well as children, adults reach a point in their lives when they to wish to take up the sport of equestrian. With the proper risk management, old or young, horseback riding is a sport for anyone to take part in. Don't think because you didn't start when you were young, you can't start now. There are many different styles and disciplines in this sport and parents of children who are not experienced in this field may feel slightly overwhelmed by all the information. Horseback riding involves making informed choices, but with the help of reliable horses and qualified instructors anything is possible! Good Luck and welcome to the wonderful world of horses! Choosing A Riding Facility Before you begin, decide what type of riding interests you. The principle disciplines are English and Western, but within those are various specific disciplines. For example, English includes Jumpers, Hunter, Eventing, Dressage and Saddle Seat. Western offers Gymkhana, Pleasure, Reining and more. It may take a year of good basic seat instruction before you will decide if you want to pursue more specific training toward a specialized discipline within the sport. Regardless of what type of rider you aspire to be, there are certain criteria that should be met. After you decide what type of riding you want to pursue, do a little investigative work - don't just call riding facilities - visit them! A riding facility can be broken up into two types: A riding school and secondly, a riding facility that offers private instruction. In a riding school there usually groups of children that ride together in lessons taught by an instructor or coach. A private facility is usually owned and operated by people that give private lessons. It is important that you sit in and watch a lesson so that you can make an informed choice. Ask if the stable follows the English or Western Equine Canada Learn to Ride Program levels. The Learn to Ride Program levels provide riders with a sense of direction and goals, on an annual basis. A coach progresses their student on a systematic lesson program, the rider has the opportunity to achieve the efficiency levels (tests) of the Equine Canada Rider Levels. It is important to choose a coach who you feel is competent, qualified and confident in teaching yourself or your children. Take your time and evaluate the facilities and instructors before reaching a final decision. Riding Facility Checklist
What is a Certified Coach? It may also help to actually make a list of facilities available in your area, as location may be a factor for you. In addition to location, budget may be a factor for you as well. As you are making a time and financial commitment to your new sport - you should also feel comfortable and confident with the person you are choosing to be your instructor/coach. By visiting various facilities, observing lessons, meeting coaches and students - you not only learn a lot - but also be able to make a more informed selection. For the child beginning riding they will start to develop a bond with their instructor. The instructor/student relationship is much like a teacher/student relationship. A good combination will develop trust and confidence as well as skills in both the child and adult rider and help ensure a positive attitude toward the sport. For anyone wishing to begin horseback riding choosing a riding coach is an excellent way to start. Your coach should be qualified in the discipline that you are choosing to pursue. In Canada, we are fortunate to have a coaching certification program under the support of Equine Canada in partnership with the Coaching Association of Canada. In addition to their equestrian training, Coaches participate in the National Coaching Certification Program (NCCP). The Theory component teaches principals such as safety, growth and development. The Technical field focuses on rules, regulations and skill development. The last section is Practical; it helps coaches with feedback as well as examiner evaluation. Once a coach obtains their certification, they must upgrade their technical knowledge on an annual basis and maintain current Fist Aid Certification. More Information... Certified Coaches/Instructors | Becoming a Certified Equestrian Coach Checklist for Choosing a Coach
Helmets You wear a seatbelt when you're in a car, and you wear a helmet when you're on a bike therefore, you should always wear an ASTM approved riding helmet when riding a horse. The NSEF recommends the use of an approved helmet as a safety precaution for all riders in all disciplines. In our office we have a video available for rent called "Every Time Every Ride". It stresses the importance of wearing an approved helmet for the protection of all riders. In English disciplines it is a requirement for all junior riders and all riders going over fences to wear an ASTM (American Society for Testing Materials) approved riding helmet. For adult Western riders, although it is suggested to wear a helmet, it's not rule. Fortunately, today more and more Western and other disciplines are adopting the requirement of protective headgear. Nova Scotia's Dr. Paula Welton has written an excellent article on helmet safety. Why Horseback Riding is a Sport When most people think of horseback riding they don't understand why it is a sport. When people think sports they think of team sports such as soccer or baseball or individual sports such as swimming or canoeing. Riding, unlike other sports, involves the partnership of two individuals. The challenge is that these teammates don't speak the same language, so riders have to learn to communicate with their teammate. As in other sports, equestrian skills have to be developed and practiced. The choice of a certified instructor/coach is key to help you learn the proper skills and to guide your progress in the sport whether you remain at the recreation level or seek to become competitive Should you require anymore information about equestrian sport in Nova Scotia, don't hesitate to contact the Nova Scotia Equestrian Federation |
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©2003-05 Nova Scotia Equestrian Federation | |
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