| Have you ever imagined yourself walking boldly | | | | well-behaved? |
| into a paddock to catch "your horse"? | | | | 4. Are the Horses healthy? |
| You slip the halter on smoothly, close the snap, | | | | 5. Are you able to spend pre-lesson time with a |
| and then your well-trained animal walks calmly | | | | horse or does someone else do all the grooming |
| beside you, through the gate, and waits patiently | | | | and saddling for you? |
| as you close it. | | | | 6. Is the riding instructor available to work with |
| From there, you groom your horse effortlessly, | | | | you during the lessons or is it an assistant? |
| saddle and bridle it without fuss and then, you are | | | | 7. Do all the riders wear helmets? If not, really |
| ready to ride. Your Riding Instructor is in the ring, | | | | think about that- you only have one head and it |
| ready to teach. | | | | won't last long if you fall on it! |
| You either head for a block, or ramp, and your | | | | 8. Is the instructor patient and compassionate |
| horse waits patiently for you to climb aboard. As | | | | with the riders? What tone does the coach use |
| you feel the morning sun on your face, you | | | | during the lessons? |
| breathe a contented sigh. | | | | 9. Is there an awareness of each rider's learning |
| LIFE is GOOD!!! | | | | style and fear level? |
| Here is your chance to make that imagined scene | | | | 10. How does the riding instructor handle |
| really happen for YOU, no matter how | | | | challenges or problems in the ring? |
| inexperienced or worried you are; no matter what | | | | 11. Are there opportunities to become involved |
| your age. I have seen this happen many times in | | | | with horses other than riding? |
| my 30 years as a Horseback Riding Instructor | | | | 12. Are you able to watch and work with more |
| and it CAN happen for you. | | | | advanced riders? |
| My question to you is: ....................Are You Ready To? | | | | 13. Are you financially and physically able to |
| The only way to put horses into your life with | | | | commit to one lesson per week? The more we |
| safety and fun is to find a riding instructor that | | | | repeat a process, the faster we learn it. |
| you can connect with. Here are a few questions | | | | 14. Are you able to do any type of physical |
| to ask a riding instructor or yourself as you begin | | | | fitness work between lessons to gain endurance? |
| the process: | | | | 15. Do students look like they are having fun? |
| 1. What does the farm look like? Is the barn neat | | | | Wouldn't YOU like to learn how to be happy with |
| and are fences in good repair? | | | | horses? START RIGHT Now by printing these |
| 2. Is there an enclosed riding area? | | | | questions and then looking for your Horseback |
| 3. What is the farm's safety record? As you | | | | Riding Instructor! |
| watch a few lessons, are the horses | | | | |