The Riding Instructor's Handbook

by Monty Mortimer, Carole Mortimer

A comprehensive manual for anyone involved in teaching others how to ride correctly and effectively. Riding as a sport and leisure pursuit has risen in popularity in a spectacular way recently, and there seems to be no sign of a reduction in that rate of increase. A large number of riding schools and college courses have developed to meet this increased demand, and there is a greater need than ever for sympathetic trained riding instructors. There are few books available which actually help the instructor in the techniques of teaching riding, but The Riding Instructor's Handbook has continually proved it does just that since first being published in 1981. Reprinted six times, with a fully revised edition published in 1993 and revised again in 1997 for the paperback edition, it is now being reprinted again to meet the continuing demand. All aspects of teaching are covered, from the personality and style of the instructor to teaching an absolute beginner, teaching on the lunge, class lesson and jumping. It also includes a chapter on classroom teaching, an area in which many riding instructors encounter difficulty.

144 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 1981

Reviews

[Dark-Draco]

There's something slightly fascinating about reading old equitation books - there is still a lot you can learn, but there is also a hell of a lot of stuff that has moved on, thank God. There's some absolutely classics in this book - from admonishing instructors to polish their boots, always wear a hat and carry to crop, to advising that it's never nice to hear female instructors raise their voices - they should be utterly charming at all times!

But that said, this book does goes a basic grounding on teaching, and gives a few examples of how best to achieve the desired results. It's not really how things are done these days, but some of the principles are still very much sound. And for the riders, it gives a very good description of a lot of school movements.

An interesting rather than enjoyable read.