Comments for The Riding Instructor https://theridinginstructor.net For those who teach and those who learn Thu, 19 Mar 2026 22:53:56 +0000 hourly 1 Comment on When Collection Isn’t Collection—And Pressure Isn’t Horsemanship by TheRidingInstructor https://theridinginstructor.net/when-collection-isnt-collection-and-pressure-isnt-horsemanship/#comments/34863 Thu, 19 Mar 2026 22:52:28 +0000 https://theridinginstructor.net/?p=6722#comment-34863 In reply to Kathy Boettcher.

Kathy, I know what you’re feeling! I cringe at the horses who try so hard to do what they’re asked even when it is unnatural or painful.Sigh. Barbara

]]> Comment on Teach Riding With A Riding Lesson Plan by TheRidingInstructor https://theridinginstructor.net/teach-riding-with-a-riding-lesson-plan/#comments/34862 Thu, 19 Mar 2026 22:41:18 +0000 http://theridinginstructor.net/?p=419#comment-34862 In reply to melissa.

It’s on the way!

]]> Comment on When Collection Isn’t Collection—And Pressure Isn’t Horsemanship by Kathy Boettcher https://theridinginstructor.net/when-collection-isnt-collection-and-pressure-isnt-horsemanship/#comments/34861 Mon, 16 Mar 2026 23:27:43 +0000 https://theridinginstructor.net/?p=6722#comment-34861 THANK YOU for putting this article together!! You have no idea how I cringe at horse shows watching people bang on the horse’s mouth to get it to lower it’s head and ask it to move forward. I feel like walking over there and yanking them right off the horse. But, we all know where that’d get me. I’m sharing the link on my ranch FB page. If it gets one person to think about what they’re doing, that’ll be at least one person.

]]> Comment on Teach Riding With A Riding Lesson Plan by melissa https://theridinginstructor.net/teach-riding-with-a-riding-lesson-plan/#comments/34860 Mon, 16 Mar 2026 02:28:34 +0000 http://theridinginstructor.net/?p=419#comment-34860 I would love to have your lesson plan! please!

]]> Comment on Basic Balanced Position: The Foundation of Good Riding by TheRidingInstructor https://theridinginstructor.net/basic-balanced-position-the-foundation-of-good-riding/#comments/34858 Wed, 11 Feb 2026 17:46:29 +0000 https://theridinginstructor.net/?p=6678#comment-34858 In reply to Kathy Boettcher.

Thanks, Kathy, I love that basic balanced seat applies to any discipline. If we can get people to really believe that , there will be a lot more happy riders AND happy horses. And yes to the breathing. It’s amazing how often that is forgotten when a person is under pressure or trying hard to do things correctly. Barbara

]]> Comment on Basic Balanced Position: The Foundation of Good Riding by Kathy Boettcher https://theridinginstructor.net/basic-balanced-position-the-foundation-of-good-riding/#comments/34857 Tue, 10 Feb 2026 19:59:37 +0000 https://theridinginstructor.net/?p=6678#comment-34857 Barbara,
I LOVE this. Will be sharing it with my students. Great job of explaining the whys.
When people ask what discipline I teach, I tell them I teach a basic balanced seat that can be used in any discipline. One thing I add is the importance of breathing properly down into the diaphragm to help maintain the BBP.
Thanks for putting your time into creating ways for us to better educate our students.

]]> Comment on The Truth in Boarding Barns by Barbara https://theridinginstructor.net/truthinboardingbarns/#comments/34856 Sun, 01 Feb 2026 06:54:28 +0000 http://theridinginstructor.net/?p=1262#comment-34856 In reply to Over boarding.

Oh Overboarder….I feel for you and I totally get what you experienced and I Am sorry for your heartbreak. I admire your knowledge and your soul for doing what was right for your horse….I’ve been there and it is heartbreaking. Not all owners put their horses first, you did. You are an angel and you are absolutely right, once horses are in your blood, your heart, your DNA, nothing can change it, it is forever and it’s a beautiful thing. Hang in there knowing the love and care you provided and required is top notch quality not everyone is capable of.

]]> Comment on Three-Point Seat, Right or Wrong? by TheRidingInstructor https://theridinginstructor.net/three-point-seat-right-or-wrong/#comments/34853 Thu, 15 Jan 2026 16:12:39 +0000 https://theridinginstructor.net/?p=4239#comment-34853 In reply to Stuart T.

Hi Stuart T, Thank you so much for this informed explanation. Any time we get away from the foundation of good horsemanship the horse and the sport suffer. A clear explanation is always welcomed. Barbara

]]> Comment on Three-Point Seat, Right or Wrong? by Stuart T https://theridinginstructor.net/three-point-seat-right-or-wrong/#comments/34852 Wed, 14 Jan 2026 22:37:43 +0000 https://theridinginstructor.net/?p=4239#comment-34852 The seat and crotch explained. The seat is the 2 seat bones. The fork is the crotch bone. Think of this as a 3 legged stool. When a rider is sitting correctly on the horse, the weight distribution is even. Through gentle application of the seat, the seat bones encourage forward movement and impulsion from the hind quarters. By transferring this weight gently to the crotch, fork, keeping the horse balanced at the same time, will result in a downward transitioning of gait, ie, half halt. The point of all of this is horse and rider in perfect harmony. Lean forward and the horse goes on the forehand, you know that leaning back will cause the horse to raise the head and neck. Try the 3 legged stool approach . If show jumpers adopted these methods, they would have a better chance of getting stride correct. I was trained by these methods, from Spanish riding school instructors, and much more.

]]> Comment on No Stirrup November- Have Fun with Your Students by TheRidingInstructor https://theridinginstructor.net/no-stirrup-november-have-fun-with-your-students/#comments/34851 Wed, 14 Jan 2026 19:33:31 +0000 https://theridinginstructor.net/?p=3326#comment-34851 In reply to Elise Mcdaniel.

Hi Elise I hope my email helped you with the downloads. Thank you for reading ! Barbara

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