4 Ways to Teach Horsemanship to Students of all Ages

In my book, anytime we teach horsemanship, it's a good way. There are many ways to incorporate horsemanship into your teaching program, and each approach has its own strengths. Some programs focus primarily on riding and require only minimal groundwork skills, while others emphasize a well-rounded education that includes everything a rider needs to know before even mounting up. Some programs take an immersive approach where horsemanship is as much a priority as riding.

The method you choose depends on your program’s goals, your teaching style, and the size and structure of your lessons. Below are four effective ways to include horsemanship in your program, along with their pros and cons.

1. Teaching Horsemanship as Part of the Regular Lesson

Haltering, leading, tying, grooming, and tacking up are essential horsemanship skills. Some instructors consider these just as important as time spent in the saddle. This method works well for longer lessons, allowing students to have hands-on experience before riding. If you're starting from the stall to the arena, plan for at least an hour—30 minutes for groundwork and 30 minutes for riding.

Pros:

• Allows for a well-rounded education
• Encourages hands-on interaction and comfort with horses
• Works well for small programs and group lessons
• Builds confidence in students who may feel nervous about handling horses
• Helps students develop a sense of responsibility for their horse

Cons:

• Requires more supervision, especially in group settings
• Can eat into riding time, slowing riding skill progression
• Some students may struggle to complete all tasks in time
• Instructors may need to help frequently, which can create dependency

2. Multiple Separate Classes as Part of Your Program

If your program sells lessons by the bundle or semester, dedicating specific sessions to unmounted horsemanship lessons can be highly effective. For example, one day a month can be set aside for horsemanship classes. You can structure these in various ways—offering one session for all students or multiple time slots to accommodate different schedules. These classes work best when they are a requirement to participate in your program, since they require more buy-in from students.

Pros:

• Adds value to your riding program
• Creates social opportunities, fostering a strong barn community
• Allows students to focus on horsemanship without feeling rushed
• Parents can be included, or separate classes can be offered for adults
• More structured learning environment
• Can be taught by junior instructors or barn managers

Cons:

• Requires organization and buy-in from parents and students
• Can be easier to cancel if not structured as a requirement
• Takes time from the stable’s schedule, though it balances out by allowing more saddle time in regular lessons

To encourage participation, consider implementing a minimum attendance requirement or incorporating off-the-horse competitions with awards to increase engagement.

3. A Single Horsemanship Requirement

This approach works well for fast-paced programs where students and instructors have limited time. A one-time required class covers the basics of tacking up, checking equipment, and basic horse handling. This class can be scheduled a few times per year based on student needs and program enrollment.

Pros:

• Ideal for busy students and parents
• Covers essential skills without taking too much time
• Works well for riding-intensive programs
• works well in back-to-back lessons.
• Beneficial for students who never plan to own a horse

Cons:

• Students miss out on extended one-on-one time with horses
• Less opportunity for familiarity and confidence-building on the ground
• Harder for students to retain all information from just one session
• Studentswon't become proficient in one lessons.

4. A Summer Horse Camp

Summer programs are a fantastic opportunity for full horsemanship immersion. These can range from half-day week-long sessions to overnight horse camps. I personally grew up in summer horsemanship camps, and my positive experiences led me to develop programs for various camps over the years. If I seem extra enthusiastic about this method, that’s why! 😊

Pros:

• Allows horses to be shared among students
• Offers extensive time for teaching horsemanship skills
• Provides plenty of hands-on experience
• Encourages camaraderie among horse-loving kids
• Creates lasting memories and a strong foundation in horsemanship
• Can serve as a great introduction for new students

Cons:

• Limited to a short timeframe
• Requires significant planning and organization

Final Thoughts

These are just four ways to include horsemanship in your riding program, but the possibilities are endless! Every program has different needs, and the best approach depends on your goals and your students.

What’s your favorite way to teach horsemanship? Do you use a method I didn’t mention? I’d love to hear about it!

Thanks for reading The Riding Instructor

Barbara Ellin Fox