Changing riding barns?

[starcrossed]

I'm toying with the idea of changing the barn I ride at. I love the barn I'm currently at but there are a few niggly problems there but I'm having a hard time of getting into the mindset of actually making the change and I need to make sure I'm not overreacting to something experienced horsepeople would consider small.

Comments

[fleefloodle]

Look for a BHS approved riding school if you can. Admittedly, they have approved some fairly appalling ones, but if they don't have approval then it can be a warning sign.

I'm in Scotland and an indoor school is definitely a good thing! And as others have said, if you don't feel your instructor is really helping you then it's not worth staying with them.

[thehomicidehoe]

The only thing about BHS riding schools is, yes they are 'safe', but the instructors will most likely be the 'collage-age ones that scream at you', not all of them are, but there are quite alot of them. Just my opinion

And yes for indoors!

[fleefloodle]

BHS riding schools should also have at least one BHS qualified instructor...

[thehomicidehoe]

I never said they weren't qualified. In my experiance, most, and I say most, not all, of the BHS instructors I've been 'taught' by, didn't know an awful lot. They could teach a group of children 'up-downs' but thats it. There are good BHS instructors, but you have to also look at if they ride, what they ride and what their competition/training results are like, or if they don't ride, what their students are doing. Most, again I say most, not all, BHS riding schools I know don't want their students progressing past a certain point (up-downs, a bit of canter, very basic) because then they will want to move on, past the instructors ability to teach. I really don't want to start anything, I just have a bit of a grump with the 'BHS teaching system' at the moment

[fleefloodle]

There are the differing levels of qualification, the link below is a good starting point for someone not used to the system. At the moment, for someone working on canter and presumably moving up to jumping soon I would suggest someone around AI level. I agree that not all of them are going to be able to teach people to a very high level, but I also think that someone who has reached II or I level is going to be a good trainer for the majority of students. I'm also wary of looking at someone's competitive level when looking at them as an instructor. Although it does help if they are an extremely good rider there are many people who can ride brilliantly and can't teach, and vice versa. An instructor not wanting to teach students past a certain point is more likely a personal problem than a system one, or possibly the fact that many riding schools have horses who can't progress beyond a certain point

[thehomicidehoe]

I agree with everything that you've said, except that I would feel that at this point, after reading what her concerns are, the OP should be looking for an instructor that is BHSI or II rather than AI, anyone can get AI, and they are usually the people that just teach beginner lessons, and at this point the OP sounds like she wants to move on from that. But I may be wrong, and the best thing would be to go and meet the instructor and see how that goes.

Oh and thank you, you've reminded me I have to go on book BHS exams *grumble grumble* (Am I a hypocrite or what? ;D)

Also just reading through the post again, to the OP, if your instructor wants to put you on horse you don't feel comfortable on, and that you can't stop (!) say no, that your happy on the horse your on at the moment.

[fleefloodle]

Also forgot to mention, and was reminded of it by thehomicidehoe, look for an instructor with BHS qualifications if you can. The website shows the various levels of qualifications etc available. Obviously you get some fantastic instructor's with no qualifications, and some with them who can't teach to save themselves, but again it gives you an idea of the level of experience and ability they have. The website also has lists of registered establishments and instructors. http://www.bhs.org.uk/Training_and_Qualifications/BHS_Examinations_and_Qualifications.aspx

As other people have said, go and watch! See if you can join a lesson at the level you're at, or have a private lesson.