Learn the "How" behind effective riding.
Improve your stability & security on your horse.
Get “plugged in” to communicate more clearly and improve your horse’s balance, carriage and movement.
Improve your USDF rider collective marks and new rider test scores.
Paul Boland
Experienced Biomechanics Riding Coach
Teaching approach:
- Benefits both novice and experienced riders in all disciplines.
- Teaches the “how” of effective riding, not just telling you “what” to make your horse do.
- Interactive coaching method with continuous communication between coach and rider.
- Based upon the rider biomechanics method, which teaches the rider to more effectively align, stabilize and control their body to positively influence the horse.
About the instructor:
- Has been following the RWYM method in his own riding and coaching for the last 14 years. He received his Rider Biomechanics Coach certification from Mary Wanless in April of 2015.
- Attends annual instructor training with Mary Wanless: world-recognized expert in the rider biomechanics field, developer of the Ride With Your Mind method.
- References from current students available upon request.
Rates
Contact Paul for 2-3 day clinics and rates.
Lessons available in the greater Louisville/S. Indiana area
* plus mileage for off farm lessons
** plus mileage and expenses
The Ride With Your Mind (RWYM) Method
The RWYM coaching method (Developed by Mary Wanless) aims to elicit your thoughts, perceptions, values, goals. We want to know what you are thinking and feeling; we hope to learn your mental & physical presuppositions; we aim for a three-way conversation between horse, rider and coach; we expect you to feel very odd and have lots of questions; we will guide your body placement and alignment and in other ways attempt to simulate the kinesthetic experiences that we hope to convey; we appreciate how challenging the work is; we accept that resting and perfect practice is better than mindless obedience while out of breath, confused and in pain (that goes for both you and the horse); we hope to be encouraging and need to know if you are discouraged; we want your help to coach us in how best to coach you.
- Lisa May, Accredited RWYM Coach
Mary Wanless Website: http://www.mary-wanless.com
Lisa May Website: http://www.idylwildfarm.com/About_Us.html
A Typical Ride With Your Mind Lesson
* You'll be asked many more questions than usual. We encourage and value your feedback. We aim to include you and your horse in the learning process, increase the effectiveness of your body and improve your horse's athleticism. We’ll work hard, have fun and coach you to reproduce the changes independently!
EVALUATION / RE-EVAL
We start with your goals and recent efforts. While you warm up the coach considers what you've said, what cause and effect patterns there are between you and your horse, what bite-sized chunks and steps might be helpful and how to tackle the learning process. We take into account present needs and expressed goals.
COLLABORATION & INDEPENDENCE
When we are breaking new ground together we'll often start by molding your body at the halt: new positioning, new muscle use or coordination, and clarification of horse-rider interface. We'll find trigger words that help you track the new feelings. We point out the horse's feedback and help you find ways to amplify the old and new feelings to improve differentiation. We may ask multiple-choice questions or use other exercises to help you monitor the change yourself. When progress is consolidated we work with you to decide the next level of challenge - extending the pattern, moving into another gait, etc.
COMMUNICATION
Together, we explore your learning style (auditory, visual, kinesthetic) aiming to communicate in your primary mode. We help you identify verbal cues, images, metaphors that describe the feelings for which you are striving. Your own choice of trigger words will be used so that your mind can more easily translate thought to body control. If you have difficulty you or the coach will stop and compare perceptions. She'll find creative ways to proceed - taking variable strategies to reach your aims. She'll explain why and how change is useful in the big picture. She'll address your worries; untangle misunderstandings about mechanics and the horse. We aim to gain your trust and commitment for the teamwork of combining brainpower to carry you and your horse beyond current limitations. Together, at the end of the lesson we'll summarize the changes you and your horse have made and pick homework targets.
*Extracted from "Learn with your Mind" by Mary Wanless