02/07/2025
So thankful for all of our understanding parents! It can be hard to explain that if your kid is riding for 30 minutes - 1 hour once a week, MAYBE twice a week, then of course progress is slow. That’s not even counting the missed lessons due to sickness, weather, travel, emergencies, etc. it takes repetition to build the good habits!! This is why you see kids progress so much once they get their own horse. They get the miles in the saddle, get brave, and have a new sense of independence that builds confidence.
The "Parent Translator": How to Communicate with Non-Horse Parents Without Losing Your Mind
"Why is my child still walking after 6 months?"
"The instructor down the road has kids jumping in 3 lessons!"
"Is this really worth $60 when soccer is only $20?"
Welcome to the world of non-horse parents who judge riding progress like a video game: more levels = better value.
THE TRANSLATION CHALLENGE:
What parents hear: "We worked on seat and balance today"
What they think: "My kid sat there and did nothing"
What you mean: "Building foundational skills for safety and success"
What they hear: "Wasting time with basics"
COMMON PARENT CONCERNS (AND WHAT THEY REALLY MEAN):
"When will she jump?"
Translation: "I need visible progress to justify this expense"
"Other kids are doing more advanced things"
Translation: "I'm worried my child is behind or you're not good enough"
"This seems slow"
Translation: "I don't understand how riding skill develops"
"Can't she just trail ride?"
Translation: "Why do we need all this arena work?"
THE PARENT EDUCATION SCRIPTS:
For "When will she jump?"
✅ "Jumping safely requires a foundation that takes 12-18 months to build. We're creating a rider who can handle challenges, not just one who can get over a fence."
For "This seems slow"
✅ "Riding involves two minds working together - human and horse. That partnership takes time to develop, just like learning an instrument."
For "Other programs do more"
✅ "Every program has different philosophies. We prioritize safety and solid fundamentals because we want your child riding for life, not just for lessons."
PROGRESS TRANSLATION GUIDE:
What you teach: "Independent seat"
Parent-friendly: "Sitting securely without gripping, which prevents falls"
What you teach: "Following contact"
Parent-friendly: "Gentle communication with the horse through the reins"
What you teach: "Impulsion"
Parent-friendly: "Getting the horse to move forward willingly and energetically"
VISUAL PROGRESS TOOLS:
📹 Monthly videos: Show subtle improvements parents miss
📊 Skill checklists: Concrete goals they can understand
📝 Progress reports: Translate riding terms into parent language
📸 Before/after photos: Document posture and confidence changes
THE QUARTERLY PARENT MEETING:
Every 3 months, explain:
- Where their child started
- Skills they've mastered
- Current focus areas
- Next milestone goals
- Timeline expectations
HANDLING PUSHBACK:
"Soccer coach has kids playing games immediately"
✅ "In soccer, a mistake means the ball goes out of bounds. In riding, mistakes can mean injuries. We build skills progressively for safety."
"She's bored with walk/trot"
✅ "Walk and trot are like scales for a pianist - even professionals practice them. We're perfecting the foundation for everything that comes next."
"This is expensive for what we're getting"
✅ "You're investing in your child's confidence, responsibility, and partnership skills - plus a lifelong sport. That value extends far beyond the arena."
RED FLAG PARENT RESPONSES:
🚩 "Just make her do it" (doesn't understand willing partnership)
🚩 "She needs to toughen up" (misses emotional development aspects)
🚩 "Why can't she ride the same horse every time?" (doesn't value adaptability)
YOUR PARENT COMMUNICATION CHALLENGE:
Create a simple progress chart that shows:
- Safety milestones achieved
- Confidence levels (1-10 scale)
- Technical skills developing
- Character growth observed
The bottom line:
Parents who understand the process become your biggest advocates. Parents who don't understand become your biggest challenges.
Your job isn't just teaching kids to ride - it's teaching parents to value the journey.
What's your biggest parent communication challenge? 👇
