10/29/2026
How can riding students practice between lessons if they don't own a horse?
One thing I think we sometimes overlook as riding instructors is just how different our students' opportunities to practice can be. Some own horses and can ride several times a week. Others lease a horse and have additional riding opportunities outside their lessons but many students only get to ride during their weekly lesson.
Does that mean those students can't practice between lessons? Absolutely not! While nothing replaces actual time in the saddle, there are plenty of ways students can reinforce what they're learning even without access to a horse. The important thing is helping students understand what they can realistically work on between lessons.
For students who own or lease a horse...
Having access to a horse between lessons is a wonderful opportunity but simply riding more often doesn't automatically mean a student is practicing effectively. I think this is where instructors can make a real difference by giving students specific, achievable exercises to work on.
For example -
1. Practice something from their last lesson. If you've been working on accurate circles, ask the student to practice riding a particular circle at the walk or trot, focusing on maintaining a consistent shape and rhythm.
2. Work on transitions. Rather than riding aimlessly around the arena, give them a simple transition exercise, such as walk-halt-walk at designated markers.
3. Develop consistency. Have students repeat a familiar exercise and pay attention to whether they can achieve the same result without constant instructor reminders.
4. Keep a riding journal. Encourage students to write down what they practiced, what went well, what they struggled with, and any questions they want to bring to their next lesson.
Of course, independent riding assignments should only involve exercises appropriate for the student's ability, the horse, and the level of supervision available. Some students aren't ready to practice mounted exercises without an instructor.
For students who don't have access to a horse between lessons...
This is where we sometimes need to get a little creative! Just because a student only rides once a week doesn't mean their learning has to stop when they leave the barn. Here are a few things they can work on at home if they are enthusiastic enough:
1. Memorize riding patterns or jump courses. Give students a simple arena diagram and ask them to trace or describe different figures, such as circles, serpentines, changes of rein, and even jump courses. They can also design their own patterns or courses and explain how they would ride them.
2. Practice recognizing diagonals and leads. Students can watch videos of horses trotting and cantering and practice identifying the correct posting diagonal or canter lead. This can be particularly useful for riders who struggle to recognize what they're seeing or feeling during a lesson.
3. Learn horse anatomy and tack. Have students identify different parts of the horse, saddle, or bridle. You could even give them a simple worksheet to complete before their next lesson.
4. Develop riding knowledge. Ask students to learn something related to their current lessons via youtube, books, or online research. For example, what makes a good halt? Why do we change diagonals? What is the purpose of the outside rein? Understanding the reason behind an instruction can make it easier to apply when they're back in the saddle.
5. Review their own riding videos. If videos are available and appropriate permissions have been obtained, encourage students to watch a previous lesson. Ask them to identify one thing they did well and one thing they'd like to improve. Sometimes seeing themselves ride helps them understand a correction that didn't quite make sense during the lesson.
6. Practice balance and body awareness. Age appropriate, safe exercises away from the horse can help students develop general balance, coordination, posture, and body awareness. They won't replace riding but they can support some of the physical skills riders use in the saddle.
The MOST important part? Don't turn riding into homework unless the student wants it! This is something I feel strongly about. Not every student wants to spend their free time studying riding theory or practicing exercises. Some simply enjoy coming to the barn once a week, spending time with horses, and having fun. I wouldn't want a student who rides purely for enjoyment to feel as though they're falling behind because they aren't doing additional work at home.
For students who are motivated to improve however, offering optional activities between lessons can be a wonderful way to support their progress.
As instructors, we should be mindful not to compare a student who rides once a week with someone who has access to a horse multiple days a week because their opportunities are completely different. Progress should be measured against the individual rider's goals, abilities, and circumstances, not simply how much saddle time they can afford.
The goal isn't to make every student practice more. It's to help those who want to continue learning understand that progress doesn't have to stop when the lesson ends.
Riding instructors, do you give your students exercises or activities to work on between lessons? For students who don't own or lease horses, have you found any particularly creative ways to help them continue learning at home?
I'd love to hear your ideas!
