The Open College of Equine Studies

Instructional Techniques Course

IT is ideal for:

• Any student interested in the theory of teaching.
• Students preparing for the BHS Preliminary Teaching Test.
• Qualified instructors wishing to update and refresh their teaching technique.

Module 1 - An Introduction to Teaching
Qualities of an effective teacher. Types of pupil. Teaching children, teenagers, adults, the older rider and riders with special needs. Producing a lesson plan.

Module 2 - Approaches to Learning
What is learning? Learning a skill. Levels of learning. Influences on the ability to learn. Stages of skill acquisition. Phases of teaching a skill. The memory system. Techniques of motivation. Requirements and syllabus of the ABRS Initial Teaching Certificate. Requirements and syllabus of the BHS Preliminary Teaching Test. The ABRS and BHS examination systems.

Module 3 - Basic Safety
Preparing a safe lesson including selection of horses, equipment, arena, tack, clothing and rules of the school. Safe procedure for conducting a hack. Basic road safety. Basic accident procedure. Emergency accident procedure. The accident/incident book. Booking procedure. Health and Safety at Work Act 1974. Risk Assessment. Insurance.

Module 4 - Rider Position and Application of the Aids
Before the lesson. Mounting and dismounting. The correct seat. Natural and artificial aids. Basic gaits and variations within the gaits. The half-halt, riding a turn, rein-back, leg yield, turn on the forehand. Terms explained.

Module 5 - Use of Poles and Jumping Technique
How the horse jumps. Position of the rider. Use of poles and their relative distances. Grids and distances. Types of fence. Jumping a simple course.

Module 6 - Recognition of Common Faults and their Corrections
Common positional faults in the rider. Consequences of an incorrect position on aid application. Faults at walk, trot and canter. Rider faults when jumping. Potential faults in the horse's way of going. Potential jumping faults in the horse. Developing feel in the rider.

Module 7 - School Movements
Arena layout and use of markers. Commands used. Explanations of basic school movements. Correct protocol for safe use of the arena. Drill rides.

Module 8 - The Private Lesson
Establishing a rapport with the client. Assessing the client. Selection of lesson format, e.g. lead rein or lunge. The lead rein lesson. The lunge lesson.

Module 9 - The Class Lesson
Advantages and disadvantages of the class lesson. Selection of horses. Balancing of mixed ability classes. Selection of a suitable leading file. Selection of lesson location. Organisation and execution of the class lesson. Lesson plans.

Module 10 - The Lecture
Planning a classroom based lecture. Advantages and disadvantages of the lecture situation. Working to a time limit. Delivery and presentation skills. Use of props and cue cards.

Optional End of Course Examination
This is sent out with the module 10 work assignment and assessment and is completed at home without using course material or books.