More thoughts on why a person needs a hands-on trainer
While teaching the other day, I asked one of my students, (Mary) who is also a riding teacher, what she finds valuable about riding with a teacher present, as compared to reviewing a video that has comments on it, at at later time. She said, “If I didn’t have immediate feedback, I wouldn’t be able to remember the feel I got when it was good.” As I thought about that, another benefit came to mind: I help my students get their “feel” by persistently and repetitiously telling them, during their ride, when they don’t have it right. Then, when they get it, or improve it, I tell them so immediately so they get that feedback and add to their “feel.” It takes years to develop the skill to ride expertly, but all along the way are little “feel” improvements that add a critical piece to the riding puzzle. Riding is an incredibly fascinating mystery. We get to celebrate all our little breakthroughs along the way!
Comments
Regarding hands-on trainers
I don't think I would want to have a remote trainer unless they could provide real-time feedback. If I was a trainer, I don't think I would want to be in the position of giving feedback from a two dimensional, fixed perspective view of what the rider is doing. I am very lucky to have access to several high quality trainers at the barn. However, if I had no access to local high quality training, then videophone training has got to be better than poor quality training, or no training at all.
Having said that, it has been invaluable for me to have the trainer get on the horse occasionally and show me that the horse can do something and so the problem is me! Why is it always me??? :-) Sometimes that is just the kick in the pants I need to get me to break through an issue that has me stuck. Over the years I have had trainers take away my reins completely and put me on the lunge line many, many times. This has been invaluable to show me what forward really is, or teach me to balance without my hands, or teach me what roundness feels like. Off the line, I have been 'chased' around with a lunge whip when my lazy horse needed a 'boost'. That last one is not my favorite kind of help, admittedly. But it is not something a remote trainer could do.
Yes, hands on training has been very helpful for me. I wouldn't want to be without it, and I am lucky enough not to have to.
teaching
When someone posted this on the TCCT List-I found it very rude of you to reply in the manner you did. She wasn't ASKING for your opinion all she was asking for was information. Video teaching can actually be very useful-of course it isn't for everyone but just because you don't approve doesn't mean you need to rip it apart. Sometimes it is better to keep your thoughts to yourself.
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