Rather than write about the lesson itself, I wanted to talk about what makes me call a lesson 'good'. I recognize that this definition may vary between people but I suspect that there are a lot of similarities too.
In no particular order, here are the features that make a good lesson for me.
1. Picks up on what was worked on in the last lesson.
In between lesson I work on my 'homework'. So I like it when we pick those things back up to fix or to move to the next step. Shanea and I always start by discussing how Carmen has been going since she was here last. This time I shared that my rides in between have been amazing and one that was terrible. In that one Carmen was just unable to horse and was not interested in my input. I actually got off and lunged her some more and then got back on. I talked about what I tried and what worked/what didn't. That gave Shanea a place to start with us.
I have had lessons where it's felt like the same lesson over and over and it felt like I was stagnated.
2. Instructions that actually help me to do the task.
I think it was Megan who talked about 'First and second toolkit instructions'. I will likely get this backwards, but 'second toolkit' are things like 'make her rounder' vs what I should do with my body to achieve this. Karen is amazing at this. Shanea is pretty good too. Sometimes I have to stop and talk with her because I'm not quite getting it.
We've been working on the Second Level Turn on the Haunches. Turns out I don't know how to do it properly. It's hard. Shanea tried lots of ways to help me understand and finally it made sense. We're getting there. Aside: I think I need to look at some video examples so if you have any links, let me know.
3. Positive focus.
Not that I need to hear that I'm awesome. But feeling that I'm wrong without advice on how to do better is NOT helpful.
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| like get her forward when she's planning to exit stage right |
I already know I have a lot to improve. But I have had lessons that have made me feel like shit (not from Shanea) and, you know what, these didn't really make me a better rider. They destroyed my confidence.
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| no need for barriers to learning- unlike Ripley here trying to stop the tractor! |
4. Working in the Zone:
It's a lesson that pushes me but not so out far of my comfort zone that I'll crash and burn. It's the concept of Vygotsky's 'Zone of Proximal Development'. The concept is simple: there is what we can do all on our own (like a walk-canter transition) and things we cannot do (like piaffe). But in between there are things we can do with help.
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| using my abs here big time. |
5. Fun.
Riding is supposed to be fun, right? I don't mean a party but it should be enjoyable. I like talking with Shanea- she has a good sense of humour. So does Karen. It feels like a collaboration not a dictatorship. It is important to me that Carmen does not view every ride as drill and hard work with no reward. Some horses will tolerate that but she will not. I'm getting better at recognizing when she's starting to fizz a bit and Shanea and I discuss how to move away from one thing and do something else.
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| a fun way to work on condition without it feeling like work (at least to me). |
I'm sure I could get more and more detailed (after all that's where us horse people live, amiright?). But I think that covers the broad strokes.
What did I miss? What makes a good lesson for you?
I agree with you on all points. The two best trainers I’ve had were not necessarily the most high priced/personally advanced. Sometimes trainers can ride beautifully but they can’t translate what they are doing into words. The best trainer I had was endlessly patient with the horses. I was riding Jackson at the time and he was far from talented but she recognized how hard he tried and taught me to be patient with him. She also had a wonderfully way of explaining things and lessons always felt positive and like I learned something new — even if it was just an “ah-ha” moment when something finally clicked. The other really good trainer was also a very successful FEI rider. Unlike many of them I cliniced (is that a word?) she didn’t yell or make me feel stupid. She laughed a lot which is a great way to diffuse tension. I think patience is hugely important. What I loved about her lessons was her ability to break down advanced movements in the minutia of what I needed to do. I’d say she taught me the nuances of the half-halt in all its forms. That, for me, was huge. ...and she found me Lucy and Luek so she’s gold. Lol.
ReplyDeleteYes- some teaching and riding are two very different skills. Those that have both are invaluable.
DeleteAll good points. While I adore my Trainer AB there are time when she says things that I just plumb don't understand how to do no matter how many times she repeats it. I think it frustrates her because she is a natural at riding and these things make sense but I'm not. It is becoming more and more important to me that I can communicate with the person and have them explain it in dumber language so I can understand it.
ReplyDeleteTo me a good lesson is one I walk away from having learned something new even if it is a small thing, feeling confident in moving forward and feeling like I can't wait for the next one. If I leave dreading the next lesson or feeling like I'm spinning on a hamster wheel I get frustrated.
I agree- our feelings at the end give us really good information about how the lesson went.
DeleteAll very good points to make a good lesson. The zone one sticks out for me - I've had a few lessons over the years that pushed me waaaay out of the zone and they didn't go well.
ReplyDeleteI haven't had a lesson in over a year...I think! And I miss it. Maybe someday I'll ride again...lol
I hope you get to ride soon! and I agree too far out of the zone is, at best, frustrating and, at worst, dangerous.
Deletewhat a great breakdown -- i particularly like the "zone" graphic. one aspect of effective lessons that's really important to me is what happens OUTSIDE the lesson. meaning, it's all well and good if the trainer can get a good result out of me during the lesson itself with step by step instruction. but what really counts is whether i can replicate -- at least in part -- that same good feeling or result on my own. whether i can still "hear" the lesson and work on that new skill etc. in other words, i need to feel like a lesson "sticks," if that makes sense
ReplyDeleteYes that makes total sense. I often ask Shanea to let me try to see if I can 'feel' it and then ask. Otherwise I may not really understand what is going on.
DeleteLove, love, love this breakdown of what makes a good lesson. All are such amazing points! I didn't realize until reading this what makes a "good" lesson for me (not that I have too many), but you really hit the nail (nails?) on the head!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad that it resonating with you.
DeleteI like your 5th item, Fun. Horses get that pretty well. Like us, how you make them feel is what they remember the longest—what they take away from a lesson. I guess I gauge lessons on how much unity my horse and I have at the end, since that’s what it’s all about. I’ve had too many to count where I was so concerned about my own learning that I forgot my horse was a living, breathing partner, too. I’ve had others where my horse and I both walk away feeling successful.
ReplyDeleteI think you and I have been on very similar journeys. My goal for every ride is to finish every ride feeling like we're in a good place.
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