|
Help, I've been bitten by the Horse Bug!
By Wendy Bolding
Do you have the urge to spend money on strange things like boots,
jeans, stretchy riding pants, bridles, saddles? Do you enjoy the
smell of horse manure, sunscreen and sweaty horses in the morning?
You may have been bitten by the Horse Bug!
Many people discover horses at a later time in life; whether they
want to start riding as an adult or have a son or daughter who
takes an interest in 'all things equine.' As our country becomes
more and more urban, less people are growing up with horses in
their lives. But the desire to be around horses has not gone
away. I have received many emails of people who want to start
riding and have no idea what to do or who to turn to for help. So
where does you begin?
Education
The first thing on the list is to get yourself educated about
horses. There are books on horse care, grooming, feeding, tack,
types of riding and will help you understand the equine and start
you on your way. A few places to check out are:
You can also try your local college or university. They may have a
general course on horses and horse care. We also have a listing of
educational opportunities in the horse world on HorseWeb's Services: Educational & Extention and Services: Schools pages.
The Internet is another good source. HorseWeb has a listing of
Informative equine websites and articles.
Ok, you've read the books, taken the classes and now you are ready
for some hands on experience.
Getting Involved
If you are a parent looking for lessons for your son or daughter, a
good starting place is your local 4-H or Pony Club. With these
clubs, you don't have to own a horse or pony to join or
participate. The National 4-H
Council and the The United
States Pony Clubs, Inc. can help you find clubs in your area.
If you are an adult just starting out, you can find clubs
associated with the type of riding you want to do or breed you are
interested in. There you will find other people with the same
interest and they can help you with finding contacts.
Here are a few popular breed associations:
To find more breed associations, go to HorseWeb's Associations & Organizations: Breeds listing.
Here are a few popular sport/discipline associations that may
interest you:
Trainers/Instructors
Many times equine schools and clubs can help you locate a good
trainer or instructor in your area. We also have listings of
instructors
here on HorseWeb. Regardless of where you get your recommendations,
find several people and make appointments with each so you can
check to see if the instructor is safe, knowledgeable and attentive
to your goals.
First talk to the trainer on the phone. Ask about the trainer's
background and experience. Does he or she like to work with
beginners, with children? Find out if he or she has horses for you
to ride and their background and experience. Are the classes group
or private? Are the rates something you can afford? Talk about your
goals with the instructor and ideas on how he or she will help you
accomplish them. Ask about the instructor's goals. Is he or she
just interested in using lessons to show themselves? Ask for
references and check them out. Once you have a few instructors who
pass your phone interview, the next step is to pay them a visit.
Make arrangements with the instructor to visit the property and
watch a lesson or two. When you get there, look around. Are the
grounds well kept, with things like manure forks, tack and
equipment stashed out of the way? Does the instructor require
helmets? Do the horses seem well cared for and quiet? Are the
stable help courteous to you, to the horses? Are the other students
and help behaving safely around the horses? Are the stalls, corrals
and/or pastures well maintained? Is there a hitching post, rail or
cross ties to restrain the horses when they are tacked up? Is it
safe looking? Are there mounting blocks?
Does it seem that safety is the primary concern? Is the lesson run
quietly or is the trainer yelling and screaming at the students?
Does he or she pay attention to the lesson or spend the time
talking to people on the sidelines? Are the students doing their
own thing or are they on task? Do the students look like they are
having fun? Address goals again. Does he or she set steps and
smaller goals to help you reach the larger ones?
Another good place to watch a trainer or instructor is at a
show. Shows provide a unique experience to see the instructor under
stress. Does he or she get angry, yell at the students, are they
rude to the show staff, the grounds people?
Finally, ask to take a lesson or two with the instructors that pass
your farm visit. Does the horse chosen for you seem compatible with
you and suitable for your level? Is it too young or spirited for
you? Does it spook? Does the instructor groom and tack up the
horse with you, helping you understand the grooming process and the
placement and fitting of the tack? Or are you left to tack up by
yourself?
During the lesson, are the instructions clear? Does he or she work
to make sure you understand? If something seems difficult for you,
does he or she break the task down to smaller steps? Or do they
just get frustrated with you? Does the instructor ask you to do
anything you are not comfortable with? Does the instructor get
defensive if you ask a question? And, are you having fun?
A life with horses is a wonderful experience — and it isn't
necessary to have grown up with them to gain that life. If you
educate yourself, get involved with organizations, and find an
instructor to help reach your goals, you will know if horses are a
passing fancy or if you have truly been bitten by that horse bug.
|
