Fairy Duster At Large

Some of my riding students require constant line of sight supervision. I retrieve my rider from the lobby at the beginning of the lesson, and I walk with them–right by their side–back to the lobby at the end of the lesson. If I don’t spot their care provider in the lobby, we go hunting in the parking lot, side by side, hand in hand, until the Responsible Party has accepted the hand off. This can be a little time consuming. In the fifteen minutes between lessons, I might have to get the saddle and bridle on another horse, return three texts, and look over my lesson plan (again)–but the upside is, I get a few moments to brag on my students. Even if the lesson wasn’t so very stellar in terms of skill-building Photo Credit: Ridin’ Buddy extraordinaire, Alison Duvall (or, um, skill teaching), I can always find something positive to say. Skye is always so patient with her pony, which is saying a LOT. Allie has truly figured out steering to the right. John never fails to thank his horse. The…