How Does The Apprenticeship Work?

Sesson+reading material+practice+review
My apprenticing program is really specialized, customized intense lessons. So students just come when they can. As often as they like. Or when they are ready for more.

How My Lessons Work
Usually the lessons (or sessions as I call them) go over 1hr. because I have a 1 hr. saddle time or lesson time minimum. Some trainers start the clock the minute the chatting starts or the tacking up starts. I don't. I like to chat about the practice work since the last session. And do a wrap up talk to discuss the next week's practice work after the sesson.

I have another story... The Fade Away Coach
Many, many years ago, I took a few lessons from a coach. I was going primarily because my friend really wanted to go and didn't want to go alone. So I agreed. To me, everyone has something to teach us.
Our lessons would proceed along as to be expected and then the oddest thing would happen..... We would be talking to the coach and then all of a sudden..... he would stop talking, turn and then ride away.....
My friend and I were stunned. We didn't know what we had done wrong. And we didn't know what to do. Apparently, the lesson was over.....

Reflecting on this, I thought that I would not do this to my students. I would not 'watch the clock'. I wanted to teach.
I end my sessions when the subject matter being taught has come to a good stopping point. The horse and or the rider has started to learn the material or they have made progress.
And not simply because the hour is up!

Apprenticing: Long Sessions + Chat Time
My students learning how to train a horse or apprenticing usually have long 1.5-2hr. once a week sesson with me and then they email or chat with me over the phone. A 1hr. is usually never enough. We just get into it by then! :)

When they first start it's usually more than once a week. Because I'm flexible, the schedule can be setup according to the student. Everyone has busy lives.

So it's intense because the student has their once a week 1.5hr. lesson and then they practise all week. I review the material the next week. Answer any questions and then move on. I hand out lesson material so there is homework to do. Practicing and reading material.

It's really a university level, learn at your own speed type of program.

Learning Style
The student and I find out what work load works best. Everyone learns differently. I also find out what learning style works best for everyone.
Some are better at reading. I have one student like that.
Others are better being shown through examples.
Others are better being told how it works.
And most people retain information better if they practice it.
We all have a better preference.

I can watch someone and duplicate it. I'm also one who likes to know the 'why' so I'm always asking why. Videos work well for me too. I have an extensive video library.

So apprenticing is customized to the individual just like my horse training program is. But it's generally lesson+reading material+practice+review.

I recommend that the person ride or work the material at least 3 days in a row, just like a horse. But each person finds out what works best for them. And sometimes it's take a while to get a lesson before moving on.
Depends on the persons experience.
And of course, budget has to work into this as well.

That's why video lessons or email lessons or phone lessons work well too. I have one student who used to ride english and she wants to learn how to ride western and train her young horse to be a western horse. She has to learn the western style of doing things as well as learning to teach her horse the western style. That sort of thing.

I also work with alot of people who want to work through some problems on their horse and develop a better relationship and communication.

Questions and comment are always welcome.
If you want more information on the apprenticing program, please contact me.
Putting my spin on an apprenticeship program.
Reinersue
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