Imagine being blind and following someone you know nothing about. That person could have perfect vision, limited sight, or be just as blind as you—but you wouldn't know. Even if you ask, they might overestimate their own ability or simply be mistaken.
This is how I think about the relationship between a student and an instructor. A student steps into the learning process knowing little or nothing about the subject, trusting the instructor to guide them. But not every skilled rider is a good teacher. A great horse trainer isn't necessarily great at teaching people—and vice versa.
This is why it's important to me to stay open-minded and continuously improve in all areas of horsemanship: riding, training, instructing, and managing. Each aspect is interconnected, and deeper knowledge in each area helps solve problems at the root rather than just treating symptoms.
Explaining concepts clearly often requires looking at problems from multiple perspectives. I enjoy listening to other instructors to learn new ways to phrase things—or recognize approaches to avoid. Watching different horse trainers work through challenges expands my toolbox, giving me more strategies to help horses and riders alike.
Because the horse is just as much a student as the rider, and each learner—human or equine—absorbs information differently, a good instructor must adapt their teaching style. Riding is a game of precision; sometimes, the difference is just an ounce more pressure or a degree of change. To teach effectively, I have to imagine, feel, test, and analyze problems from all angles.
A great instructor draws from experience but remains willing to test theories, admit mistakes, and keep learning. They recognize patterns—like how an off-track Thoroughbred is likely to be anxious and sensitive, a five-year-old child may struggle to tighten a girth, or a 50-year-old amateur might have limited flexibility.
With experience, good instructors can predict where issues will arise and proactively address them.
But the most crucial trait of all? A good riding instructor, trainer, and teacher in general must stay humble.
If you find yourself blindly following an instructor, unsure of their competence, look for these qualities. The best instructors don’t claim to have all the answers—they commit to finding them. They never stop learning, refining their methods, and improving their process. That’s the kind of guide worth following.
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