📌 Intuitive Instructor Club - Hoof Falls & Footfalls: https://hooffallsandfootfalls.com/coaching-2/📌 The Barn Hand - Draft Horse Edition (Digital Download): https://thebarnhand.com/products/the-barn-hand-draft-horse-edition-digital-download📌 Certification Renewal & Maintenance | PATH Intl: https://pathintl.org/certification/maintenance/📌 CHA Instructor Recertification – Certified Horsemanship Association: https://cha.horse/cha-instructor-recertification/As a therapeutic riding instructor, saying "no" or "not right now" is an inevitable part of your teaching journey. But how do you confidently set boundaries while maintaining trust with students, parents, and caregivers? ✅ Why saying "no" is essential for safety and progress ✅ How to communicate your decisions with confidence ✅ Real-life examples of when I've had to say "no" and what I learned ✅ Tips to prevent pushback from students and parentsChapters:00:00 Introduction: The Inevitable 'No' in Teaching01:29 Personal Experiences and Challenges02:48 About the Instructor04:29 Practical Examples of Saying 'No'08:26 The Importance of Clear Communication10:58 Handling Persistent Requests16:41 Building Confidence in Confrontation19:00 Conclusion and Encouragement#TherapeuticRiding #AdaptiveRiding #HorsebackRidingInstructor #EquineTherapy #InstructorTips

📌 Intuitive Instructor Club - Hoof Falls & Footfalls: https://hooffallsandfootfalls.com/coaching-2/📌 The Barn Hand - Draft Horse Edition (Digital Download): https://thebarnhand.com/products/the-barn-hand-draft-horse-edition-digital-download📌 Certification Renewal & Maintenance | PATH Intl: https://pathintl.org/certification/maintenance/📌 CHA Instructor Recertification – Certified Horsemanship Association: https://cha.horse/cha-instructor-recertification/Are you paying attention to the small, subtle ways your students communicate with you? In adaptive and therapeutic horseback riding lessons, communication isn't always verbal. In this episode, I share a powerful real-life example of how a simple whiteboard exercise helped strengthen trust, connection, and communication with my students—especially those who struggle with verbal expression.By recognizing and responding to small cues, we can create a more supportive and engaging learning environment. This is a must-watch for adaptive riding instructors who want to deepen their relationships with students and improve their teaching approach.Let me know in the comments—do you already look for these subtle communication cues in your lessons?Chapters:00:00 Introduction: Recognizing Opportunities in Instruction00:22 The Importance of Communication in Adaptive Riding01:12 The Whiteboard Example: A Teaching Tool03:27 Understanding Non-Verbal Communication05:03 Building Trust Through Recognition06:33 Encouraging Communication in Lessons09:36 Applying Equine Skills to Human Interaction10:09 Conclusion and Call to Action📌 Subscribe for more adaptive riding insights!🔔 Follow for more tips on teaching adaptive and therapeutic riding!#TherapeuticRiding #AdaptiveRiding #HorsebackRidingInstructor #EquineTherapy #InstructorTips

📌 Intuitive Instructor Club - Hoof Falls & Footfalls: https://hooffallsandfootfalls.com/coaching-2/📌 The Barn Hand - Draft Horse Edition (Digital Download): https://thebarnhand.com/products/the-barn-hand-draft-horse-edition-digital-download📌 Certification Renewal & Maintenance | PATH Intl: https://pathintl.org/certification/maintenance/📌 CHA Instructor Recertification – Certified Horsemanship Association: https://cha.horse/cha-instructor-recertification/Finding the right saddle for adaptive or therapeutic horseback riding is essential for both rider and horse. In this episode, we explore the pros and cons of Western, Dressage, and English saddles, as well as bareback pads, to help you make the best choice.Learn how different saddles impact posture, comfort, and performance and discover tips to choose the right fit based on physical, cognitive, and emotional needs. We also discuss saddle fit for the horse and key adjustments for an optimal riding experience.🔹 Timestamps:00:00 Introduction to Adaptive Riding Saddles01:20 Meet Sabra Popoli: Your Guide02:05 Understanding Traditional Tack and Equipment09:02 Western Saddles: The Most Supportive Option16:06 Dressage Saddles: A Balanced Choice19:40 English Saddles: Close Contact and All-Purpose23:54 Bareback Pads: Least Supportive Option30:42 Final Thoughts and Recommendations💬 What’s your go-to saddle for adaptive riding? Drop a comment below!🔔 Subscribe for more insights on adaptive riding techniques!

📌 Intuitive Instructor Club - Hoof Falls & Footfalls
📌 The Barn Hand - Draft Horse Edition (Digital Download)

Mastering Safe Mounting & Dismounting Techniques

Prevent injuries and improve the longevity of your instructor career by mastering proper body mechanics for mounting and dismounting students. In this episode, we break down essential techniques for controlling student pelvis and upper body positioning, working with gravity, and ensuring safe, effective supported block mounts and croup-to-ground dismounts. Learn adaptive strategies, rein management, and how contextual interference plays a role in skill development.

🔹 Key Topics Covered:
✔ Proper body mechanics for safe mounting & dismounting
✔ Why controlling the student’s pelvis and upper body is crucial
✔ Working with gravity to reduce strain and improve safety
✔ Step-by-step techniques for supported block mounts & croup-to-ground dismounts
✔ Adaptive strategies for common instructor challenges
✔ Using reins correctly during the process
✔ The role of contextual interference in skill development

📢 Enjoyed this episode? Subscribe for more expert riding techniques and share your biggest takeaway!

📌 Intuitive Instructor Club - Hoof Falls & Footfalls
📌 The Barn Hand - Draft Horse Edition (Digital Download)

Unlocking the Power of Unmounted Lessons

Enhance your riding program by tapping into the full potential of unmounted lessons! In this episode, we explore how these lessons can improve student success, strengthen barn culture, and boost financial sustainability. Learn how to connect unmounted activities to riding skills and real-life lessons while using dynamic teaching techniques to keep students engaged. Whether you're working with beginners, adaptive riders, or experienced equestrians, this guide will help you build a well-rounded, effective lesson program.

🔹 Key Topics Covered:
✔ The importance of unmounted lessons in rider development
✔ Building a strong barn culture & enforcing policies
✔ Connecting unmounted lessons to riding and life skills
✔ Engaging teaching techniques for maximum impact
✔ Simplifying lessons while keeping them effective
✔ Making unmounted programs financially sustainable

📢 Enjoyed this episode? Subscribe for more expert riding strategies and let us know your biggest

📌 Intuitive Instructor Club - Hoof Falls & Footfalls: https://hooffallsandfootfalls.com/coaching-2/📌 The Barn Hand - Draft Horse Edition (Digital Download): https://thebarnhand.com/products/the-barn-hand-draft-horse-edition-digital-download📌 Certification Renewal & Maintenance | PATH Intl: https://pathintl.org/certification/maintenance/📌 CHA Instructor Recertification – Certified Horsemanship Association: https://cha.horse/cha-instructor-recertification/Top Tips for Maintaining Instructor Certification & Earning CEUsKeeping your instructor certification up to date doesn’t have to be stressful! In this episode, I’ll share expert tips on how to earn and track your Continuing Education Units (CEUs) efficiently—so you can focus more on what you love: teaching and working with horses.Whether you're certified through PATH International, CHA, or another organization, these strategies will help you stay on top of renewal requirements with confidence.💡 Learn:✔️ Where to find official certification maintenance guidelines✔️ What activities count for CEUs (including budget-friendly options!)✔️ The best ways to track your hours so you’re always prepared✔️ How to simplify the renewal process and avoid last-minute stress✨ Pro tip: The Intuitive Instructor Club and The Barn Hand Planner include tools to make tracking CEUs effortless—check them out in the links above!⏳ Timestamps for Easy Navigation00:00 Introduction & Speaker Background01:47 Understanding Certification Maintenance03:05 Continuing Education Tips & Tricks05:54 Tracking Your CEU Hours08:30 Specific Certification Requirements12:04 Additional Resources & Final Tips13:26 Conclusion & Contact Information🔔 Enjoyed this video? Make sure to like, comment, and subscribe for more expert insights on instructor certification, CEU tracking, and professional development!💬 Got questions? Drop them in the comments—I’m happy to help!#InstructorCertification #EquineEducation #CEUTracking #EquestrianTraining #PATHIntl #CHACertification

6 Tips To Help Slow Down Students Who Tend To Rush

Discover effective strategies to manage enthusiastic and 'rushy' students in therapeutic horseback riding lessons. We share six actionable tips to help slow down students who may struggle to control their excitement and speed, ensuring safe and enjoyable sessions for both the students and the horses. Learn how to use countdowns, physical markers, tone adjustment, and more to foster a constructive learning environment. Join the conversation and share your own tips for handling 'rushy' riders. Don't forget to subscribe for more insightful content specifically designed for adaptive or therapeutic horseback riding instructors.

00:00 Introduction to Managing Rushy Students

00:24 Understanding Rushy Behavior

01:53 Meet Your Instructor: Sabra Popoli

02:50 Top Tips for Working with Rushy Students

02:59 Tip 1: Using Counts and Countdowns

04:53 Tip 2: Linking Speed to Physical Cues

06:36 Tip 3: Don't Be Afraid to Hit Pause

07:35 Tip 4: Tone, Inflection, and Rhythm

09:38 Tip 5: Decrease the Number of Reps

11:21 Tip 6: Hold Your Student Accountable

14:07 Conclusion and Community Engagement

15:12 Final Thoughts and Resources

This recording of a live instructor chat discusses the use of bareback pads in adaptive/therapeutic riding lessons. It outlines key considerations for their use, including the impact on the rider and horse, as well as the equipment and support required for safe incorporation. The speaker emphasizes thoughtful decision-making and highlights that bareback pads can be used as a progression tool to build confidence, improve position, and refine skills rather than as a starting point for most students. Practical advice and personal experiences are shared to guide instructors in making informed choices.

In this live chat replay for adaptive/therapeutic riding instructors I'll share my whats/hows/whys for how I introduce the trot and progress riders through the different types of trot.I'll be discussing sitting, posting, and 2 point trot and also give examples of past struggles and roadblocks I encountered while teaching trot that has led me do a 180 on how I introduce and progress riders as it relates to the trot.Even though I'm using "trot", points discussed in this chat are not exclusively for instructors who trach in English or dressage saddles and will also apply to instructors who teach in western tack.

Outline:

Disclaimer: The information provided on this channel is for educational purposes only and is intended to support instructors in expanding their knowledge and skills. It is not a substitute for professional training, certification, or individual judgment.By choosing to implement any of the ideas, techniques, or practices shared here, you do so at your own risk and accept full responsibility for the outcomes. Hoof Falls & Footfalls and its creator, Saebra, assume no liability for any injuries, damages, or losses resulting from the use of the information provided. Always ensure the safety and well-being of your students, horses, and yourself by following appropriate safety guidelines and industry best practices.

This replay of a live instructor chat focuses on setting healthy boundaries in therapeutic riding barns to prevent instructor burnout and program sustainability.

Saebra shares tips on proactive policy setting, such as the "2/3, 1/3 rule" relating to lesson cancelation as well as discusses thoughts on how to handle payments, make up lessons, credits, etc.

Saebra shares personal experiences relating to the topics covered that come from perspectives of working not only at a large non-profit center but also a smaller for-profit program. She discusses the need for strict policies to ensure financial stability and retention of staff, volunteers, horses, and students. This chat also covers the benefits of prepayment, setting consistent lesson times, and the impact of flexible policies on student progression and program sustainability.