At the heart of teaching riding, we hope to give our riders independence and autonomy as they grow their relationship with horses.

As riding instructors, our ultimate goal isn’t just to guide our riders, but to empower them to continue to build independence, confidence, and self-assurance.

So how can we nurture independence?

1. Empower Choice

Choice is the cornerstone of independence! By offering individuals choices, we empower them to take ownership of their decisions and actions. Whether it’s choosing their saddle pad, their riding activity, or setting their goals, we must honor the desire for autonomy and make an effort to give riders choices along the way. This is especially important for riders who struggle with expressive communication.

2. Phasing Out Guidance

Gradually phase out direct guidance and encourage self-reliance. Think of a rider learning to use their reins. Perhaps at the start, they need hand-over-hand support with someone physically guiding their hand to perform the skill. But over time, this could transition to a tapping reminder, then to just a verbal or visual cue. Ultimately, they will identify what to do without any prompt!

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As riding coaches, we are privileged to witness transformations from dependence to autonomy. Let’s continue to foster independence in every way we can safely do so!