Horseback Riding Lessons/Training with Svetlana Hruda

Introduction

Welcome. I am very glad you are considering having me work with you and/or your horse. 
This page of my website contains background information on me, my teaching philosophy,
and my curriculum, as well as a list of fees and policies. The intent is for the former to
clarify the latter. For more information about my life history and credentials please visit
the "About Me" webpage.

My dual areas of expertise in horsemanship and pedagogy allow me to provide unique,
high quality instruction for beginning and intermediate riders. This expertise also fosters
my skills in addressing most horse training needs. My experiences and influences affect
my goals as an instructor and trainer.

Horse Training

Through my 40+ years of horsemanship, I have developed a particular way of approaching horse training which
I have found fosters a highly positive relationship between horse and rider allowing them to achieve mutually
desirable goals. I am a more cognitively and intuitively based trainer (rather than behaviorally based). 
The trainers I am most influenced by are Linda Tellington-Jones, Sally Swift, and Peggy Cummings. 
Reiki work figures heavily into my training work. I am currently exploring the use of positive reinforcement
techniques to address specific needs. Negative reinforcement is a part of classical horse training
and is used (eg: movement off leg pressure, release of bit pressure), but, particularly on the ground,
it has less and less of a role to play in my work.

Goals For Beginners

Many students (and parents of students) ask, "How long will it take to learn to ride?"
Riding is a lifelong sport and lifelong learning process. I have been riding for over
40 years. I have been taking lessons for most of those years. There is always more to
learn and bad habits to conquer. How many personal resources you choose to invest will
determine your progress and performance.

My goal as an instructor is to create complete horsepeople. This includes basic
knowledge of horse care, stable management, and riding and groundwork. The basic
group of skills I want my riders to learn is: leading and mounting from both sides, safely
being able to ride at a walk, trot, canter and gallop in an arena and in the open; being able
to safely pilot a horse over a 2-foot jump course; being able to perform simple school figures
(circle, change of rein) at the walk, trot, and canter, being able to safely longe a horse at
walk, trot, and canter; being able to safely get a horse from stall or pasture, groom and
tack-up; treating your horse wisely and lovingly; knowing what a horse basically needs to
survive under human care.

To these ends, my curriculum of instruction involves the following activities: work on the
flat; work over poles; riding in the open; riding bareback; position work; riding different
horses; and ground work. For prospective students who are thinking, "All I want to do is trail ride.
Why do I have to learn all that other stuff?" trail riding is one of the most challenging things
you can do with a horse. You cannot be too prepared to "just trail ride", as so many things
occur on the trail.

For Intermediate Riders

For intermediate riders who wish to work on specific skills, I am happy to chat with you
and create a lesson program that meets your needs.

Groups

Many students wish to take group or semi-private lessons as the are less expensive than
private lessons. Unfortunately this is not always in the best interest of the student. ALL
first time riding students take private lessons doing valuting movements until they
have achieved a certain level of skill in moving with the horse. Students are grouped
based on riding skills, "fit", student and horse availability. Thus, while I am able to
create a group; there is no guarantee that there will be one for a particular students at any
given time.

Disclaimer: When teaching groundwork and horse care, I use many TEAM (Tellington-
Jones Every Animal Method) techniques. I am NOT a certified TEAM practitioner. If
you are interested in working with a certified TEAM practitioner, I can provide you with
that information.

Setting Up Lessons/Training

My lesson and training policies are created from my years of experience and are intended to
maximize the positive potential of the work. If you have any questions about an item on the contract,
please call me at (785)550-0227. If you do not feel you can honor any of the fees or policies,
I would be happy to direct you to other area instructors.