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Program learning objectives include:
Riders remain in the Short Stirrup program until they can safely control their assigned pony in a relaxed frame of mind. These young riders must also be able get their mounts to respond to simple commands in a safe and accurate manner appropriate to their beginner status. Once the rider can demonstrate an understanding of what is expected of them in their riding lessons, and has developed enough physically and emotionally to keep themselves safe, they may then be ready to ride with other children in a small group - the Pony Pal Program. FIRST CONTACTYour first experience at Potomac Glen will be a short relaxed 15 to 30 minute visit to our farm, a question and answer time and a chance to meet and pet one of our wonderful horses or ponies. All riders entering our riding program make an initial visit before enrolling. At the time of your visit you will be given our registration form and you will be able to register for riding classes. For first time riders this visit helps us determine if the young person is ready for horseback riding lessons. For novice riders new to our academy, this first visit gives them a chance to see where they will be coming for riding lessons. WHEN SHOULD MY CHILD BEGIN TO RIDE ?In order for a child to be successful with the steep learning curve of horse sports, they must possess a desire to ride. This desire evidences itself in a young person by the amount of time they spend talking about and wishing for a horse or pony and expressing their desire to ride. In addition, a child needs to be physically mature enough to ride in lessons successfully. They must have: body muscle strength; neck muscles strong enough to support fitted and approved protective headgear; enough balance to be able to remain on the horse; a sufficient attention span to understand and follow directions; and the ability to comprehend the nature of horses. A child must be able to concentrate, pay attention, be ready to learn, understand the concept of practice and be willing and able to follow directions from an instructor. Horseback riding is considered an extreme sport and we take great care in placing every child in the correct program at the appropriate time. CURRICULUMShort Stirrup lessons are carefully constructed to provide maximum rider safety. At each lesson safety is first, and through a series of carefully taught exercises and games young riders work on developing their concentration and motor skills and coordinating the basic aids for successful riding. With beginning or novice riders, independence increases and concerns about “scary stuff” decreases, as riding skills become more dependable through practice during their once or twice weekly training sessions. Potomac Glen riding lessons provide training in English riding and good horsemanship. In the barn young riders learn lots of new and interesting things about horses, they get to ask questions and are provided answers that will enhance their knowledge about the horse. Short Stirrup mounted lessons are often physically challenging and many new and different ways of moving and thinking are constantly being introduced and practiced. The Short Stirrup mounted curriculum includes introducing riders to: mounting and dismounting; body position and balance in the saddle; how to hold reins and use them; familiarizing riders with their four natural aids , legs, hands, seat and voice; how to ask for forward movement and how to halt; learning how to make circles and turns; games. The Short Stirrup unmounted Horsemanship lessons include: haltering, leading and tying; safety knots; how to walk a pony from the barn to the riding ring; and how to check and adjust tack; grooming basics; what happens when a pony gets ready for a riding class and how they are tacked; how to take care of your horse after class; the correct nomenclature for points of the horse and parts of the tack; which is the equipment used on and round horses; the importance of being orderly and keeping things organized and returning things to their right place. HOW LONG IS THE SHORT STIRRUP PROGRAM ?The end of Short Stirrups differs from child to child, but is usually evident by a rider’s increasing curiosity about riding with other riders, playing new games and trying out different ponies. Our teaching criteria expects that a young riders will remain in the Short Stirrup program until they can ride forward with enough competence and knowledge to be able to keep themselves safe and control their horse. Once a rider can demonstrate these skills, perform simple mounted drills and is able to listen, concentrate and follow instruction without hesitation, a rider may be emotionally and physically ready ride in Pony Pal classes. Lessons of Pony Pals are riders working in small classes of up to six riders. For safety and to accelerate learning the program begins with riders working with in teams of two riders to one pony and matriculating toward becoming a class where each rider will ride independently on their own mount. WHAT ABOUT EQUIPMENT?All riders taking lessons at Potomac Glen must come to class attired in proper riding clothes. The required clothes are for safety and therefore not optional. A rider must own and wear a SEI riding safety helmet, riding tights, riding jeans, jodhpurs or breeches, paddock boots, and gloves. Safety vests are required for all riders who are working at trot. While a rider may occasionally trot during Short Stirrups lessons , trotting lessons generally begin in earnest in the latter lessons of Pony Pals. Riders will be told when they will need to have a vest. All Stablemate riders need to have vests. Our program stresses rider safety and takes every opportunity to insure the well being and pleasure of each of our students while they ride and work with our generous, gentle horses and ponies. Back to the Lesson Descriptions page Registration
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