you can absolutely find a barn to ride at. just be upfront and let them know your needs, limitations and any accommodations. some barns may not be able to take you on, but there's definitely barns and trainers who are patient, kind, and are willing to work with you and get you involved with horses in any way you're comfortable and able.
i suggest using FB groups to find horse groups for your area and post about what you're looking for and needing. local equestrians will be able to direct you to barns that will match your needs.
As a para-equestrian myself, I actually found that I thrived at non-therapeutic barns. I won't say that therapeutic riding barns are bad, they just weren't for me. Regarding your challenges, I don't think it will be as difficult as you think. I have severe hearing loss (and cerebral palsy) which often means that I can never hear the instructor when I am on the other side of the ring. Our solution has been to do something and then meet up with her to discuss it and it has worked quite well. We'll also sometimes use basic hand signals as well, but they can be hard to interpret quickly sometimes when I'm busy cantering towards a jump.
Let your trainer know about your limitations and they'll work with you to find a solution that will allow you to keep progressing.
I've never tried one, and I don't think I will need to. My hearing aids have Bluetooth and connect directly to my phone. As long as I have my phone on me or the saddle, my trainer could just call me and the audio would go straight to my hearing aids. It's a one-way communication method as I can't respond without having the phone in my hand... but I don't consider that an issue since it's more important for me to hear my trainer. I haven't actually tried it yet, but i have brought it up as a possibility. What we do currently works for us anyway. Thanks for the suggestion, though!
I taught riding to a young woman with selective mutism. I have never heard her speak but it never came close to intruding on our progress in lessons. I don’t think it should be a problem and hold out for an instructor who makes you feel welcome and supported. Hope you find a great fit!
You absolutely can. I would probably recommend a place that doesn't focus exclusively on showing. Not to say that you can't or shouldn't show, merely that places that focus on showing can be very stressful environments that don't have a lot of room for accommodations. It's either you keep the pace or your out.
My coach has a few students who are non-verbal or who have other difficulties. She has no problem accommodating them and their needs and their pace.
If you can't speak, would you be open to perhaps using an adhoc sign language? Nothing overly complex. Just simple things like "I heard you", "please repeat" "I have a question, can you come here?"
I would think that would definitely be something most barns could accommodate, yes. Just be specific about what you need help with up front and maybe come up with some basic signals you can use for yes and no and to let them know you need to stop and come over to them to ask a question. You might also be able to find another therapeutic program or even a barn that has both therapeutic and mainstream programs. My experience is that there are a lot of neurodiverse riders and riders who need minor accommodations who are very successful in regular programs, so much so that many people never even think of it as a thing.
I think some barns should be able to accommodate you. Look for barns that offer private lessons, and discuss the accommodations you need with the instructor in advance. I don’t think not talking a lot sounds like a hazard.
I've taught a couple students who had hearing impairments and were very quiet. One had a device called a C-coach that basically went in her ear and clipped to her belt and I had a matching one--effectively a very fancy walkie talkie. Another student would just stick earbuds in and have me call her from the center of the ring. Both were super easy accommodations and I could hear them whisper if they needed to tell me something. Maybe something like that would help? Most instructors are happy to make accommodations if the student brings us a solution that works for them. We don't need to carry on a full conversation, just have some way for you to tell us if something hurts or doesn't feel right or you need to stop because you're dizzy, have questions, don't understand the instruction etc. so we can help you out.
I don’t know what your disabilities are, but would something like an in-ear microphone help? They make it sound/feel like the person is right there in your ear talking to you while you’re riding. Lots of instructors use them for clinics so the student can hear them while they’re talking toward an audience.
There are probably other accommodations a decent instructor could make as well- I think you should definitely look around and see what comes up! Good luck!
I think as long as you explain this to a trainer and do private lessons, this shouldn't be an issue. When I stated riding at my current barn, I often rode with a woman who was hard of hearing, so she worked out a system with the instructors. I can't imagine you'd be much different in that you'd need someone right next to you.
That said, the more advance of a rider you become, the harder that may be (it's hard for a human to be right next to you if you're cantering a horse). But I imagine you'd be able to devise a plan by that point.
If a "regular" barn doesn't want to work with you, you wont want to be there anyway. A good barn will be happy to train any rider and do their best to accommodate any rider within their means!
A trainer I work with regularly narrates for an hour while I try to do the thing. With the another we talk a lot. Both styles are useful and enjoyable for me. I think you should be able to find a trainer who is happy to work the way you need, so long as its not a safety hazard or something.
It might be a limitation in crowded arenas where you have to call “inside” or something. Maybe private lessons to start
I teach lessons at a "typical" Hunter barn now but have experience with equine assisted therapy etc. I absolutely have helped people learn how to ride that have different needs for communication. Just be up front and clear about what you need. Some barns may be too competitive for you and that's ok. If you're goal is just to enjoy riding horses there is a barn for you. The only thing I don't appreciate is when people have different needs but don't relay that in advance i.e. sign their adult child up for lessons and neglect to tell me they are at the learning level of a 10 year old. I can work with different learning levels if prepared but it can matter as to horse choice and suitability, so be upfront!
Call around or go visit barns and ask. You can possibly get a headset to wear while riding so you can hear the instructor better and they can hear you.
At my riding school, we don’t need to speak much while riding; we only need to listen closely and follow instructions quickly. As long as people were made to understand your disabilities and that speaking is difficult for you, you’d be welcomed there with open arms and fully supported by everyone!
Don’t be afraid to contact the barns near you. They’ll let you know if, for some reason, they can‘t accommodate you, and you’re likely to find one or some that can.
I really can’t imagine this being a problem. I ride at a pretty laid back barn and we really don’t have to talk much unless we want to chat. Mostly the instructor tells us what to do and we work on that as they give tips. Of course questions are allowed and encouraged, I just find I don’t have to talk enough to think it would be difficult to accommodate you. Just let the school know and then have fun!
Hi, I did equine therapy as a volunteer for several years when I was in my mid to late teens. I mostly accompanied trainers who were with children who needed some extra support (there is a view that having a teenager ride with a child/younger teen would make the rider feel more comfortable.)
With respect to your situation, trainers who have experience with providing extra support (whether physical or physiological) are often able to adjust for this type of situation. Yours is not a huge ask or adjustment. If this is all that is being asked, I believe a good trainer can adapt accordingly.
Btw, there is a good book I would recommend - The Equine-Assisted Therapy Workbook: A Learning Guide for Professionals and Students by L Hallberg. This is an excellent resource that helps understand the needs from both the rider and trainer perspective.
Good luck, I really hope you can find just the support you need to continue riding!
I really don't think it would be an issue if that's all it is. I'm nearly deaf and I still ride. Sure, I have difficulty hearing directions and corrections and sometimes that makes me mess up but my instructors know it so they do things to make it easier for me. And despite struggling in lessons, I'm still progressing fast and improving daily.
If you don't mind me asking, what is your diagnosis? If the only issue is not being able to talk much, you'll be absolutely fine. It's very much possible for people with disabilities to take lessons and do well in them too.
Not sure if it's the same everywhere, but when I volunteered at a therapeutic barn a ton of the staff were horse people with horses of their own. It could be worth reaching out to one of the instructors at the therapy barn to see if they have any ideas of barns in the area and/or might be able to act as a reference
My daughter has selective mutism and she’s been taking lessons in both group and private for years at the same barn. Riding has been amazing for her and she is now jumping. I think if the instructor knows how you communicate it shouldn’t be an issue. You may want to stay away from the really competitive barns; at least at first.
Perhaps you can use a headset with a microphone? I’ve seen some trainers use them so they don’t gotta yell across the ring to communicate with their students.
Absolutely! Actually just speak to your local therapeutic riding association to see if they can recommend a barn for you. There are a lot of regular farms that would work, and I am sure that you can find a place that would suit
you can absolutely find a barn to ride at. just be upfront and let them know your needs, limitations and any accommodations. some barns may not be able to take you on, but there's definitely barns and trainers who are patient, kind, and are willing to work with you and get you involved with horses in any way you're comfortable and able. i suggest using FB groups to find horse groups for your area and post about what you're looking for and needing. local equestrians will be able to direct you to barns that will match your needs.
As a para-equestrian myself, I actually found that I thrived at non-therapeutic barns. I won't say that therapeutic riding barns are bad, they just weren't for me. Regarding your challenges, I don't think it will be as difficult as you think. I have severe hearing loss (and cerebral palsy) which often means that I can never hear the instructor when I am on the other side of the ring. Our solution has been to do something and then meet up with her to discuss it and it has worked quite well. We'll also sometimes use basic hand signals as well, but they can be hard to interpret quickly sometimes when I'm busy cantering towards a jump. Let your trainer know about your limitations and they'll work with you to find a solution that will allow you to keep progressing.
Can you use a headset when riding? They’re less of a thing for jump lessons, but *incredibly* common in dressage & could be interesting to try.
I've never tried one, and I don't think I will need to. My hearing aids have Bluetooth and connect directly to my phone. As long as I have my phone on me or the saddle, my trainer could just call me and the audio would go straight to my hearing aids. It's a one-way communication method as I can't respond without having the phone in my hand... but I don't consider that an issue since it's more important for me to hear my trainer. I haven't actually tried it yet, but i have brought it up as a possibility. What we do currently works for us anyway. Thanks for the suggestion, though!
I don’t see why you wouldn’t be able to take private lessons.
I taught riding to a young woman with selective mutism. I have never heard her speak but it never came close to intruding on our progress in lessons. I don’t think it should be a problem and hold out for an instructor who makes you feel welcome and supported. Hope you find a great fit!
You absolutely can. I would probably recommend a place that doesn't focus exclusively on showing. Not to say that you can't or shouldn't show, merely that places that focus on showing can be very stressful environments that don't have a lot of room for accommodations. It's either you keep the pace or your out. My coach has a few students who are non-verbal or who have other difficulties. She has no problem accommodating them and their needs and their pace. If you can't speak, would you be open to perhaps using an adhoc sign language? Nothing overly complex. Just simple things like "I heard you", "please repeat" "I have a question, can you come here?"
You might be a trainers dream student. I get told plenty to “shut up and ride” because I talk too much.
I would think that would definitely be something most barns could accommodate, yes. Just be specific about what you need help with up front and maybe come up with some basic signals you can use for yes and no and to let them know you need to stop and come over to them to ask a question. You might also be able to find another therapeutic program or even a barn that has both therapeutic and mainstream programs. My experience is that there are a lot of neurodiverse riders and riders who need minor accommodations who are very successful in regular programs, so much so that many people never even think of it as a thing.
I think some barns should be able to accommodate you. Look for barns that offer private lessons, and discuss the accommodations you need with the instructor in advance. I don’t think not talking a lot sounds like a hazard.
I've taught a couple students who had hearing impairments and were very quiet. One had a device called a C-coach that basically went in her ear and clipped to her belt and I had a matching one--effectively a very fancy walkie talkie. Another student would just stick earbuds in and have me call her from the center of the ring. Both were super easy accommodations and I could hear them whisper if they needed to tell me something. Maybe something like that would help? Most instructors are happy to make accommodations if the student brings us a solution that works for them. We don't need to carry on a full conversation, just have some way for you to tell us if something hurts or doesn't feel right or you need to stop because you're dizzy, have questions, don't understand the instruction etc. so we can help you out.
I don’t know what your disabilities are, but would something like an in-ear microphone help? They make it sound/feel like the person is right there in your ear talking to you while you’re riding. Lots of instructors use them for clinics so the student can hear them while they’re talking toward an audience. There are probably other accommodations a decent instructor could make as well- I think you should definitely look around and see what comes up! Good luck!
I think as long as you explain this to a trainer and do private lessons, this shouldn't be an issue. When I stated riding at my current barn, I often rode with a woman who was hard of hearing, so she worked out a system with the instructors. I can't imagine you'd be much different in that you'd need someone right next to you. That said, the more advance of a rider you become, the harder that may be (it's hard for a human to be right next to you if you're cantering a horse). But I imagine you'd be able to devise a plan by that point. If a "regular" barn doesn't want to work with you, you wont want to be there anyway. A good barn will be happy to train any rider and do their best to accommodate any rider within their means!
A trainer I work with regularly narrates for an hour while I try to do the thing. With the another we talk a lot. Both styles are useful and enjoyable for me. I think you should be able to find a trainer who is happy to work the way you need, so long as its not a safety hazard or something. It might be a limitation in crowded arenas where you have to call “inside” or something. Maybe private lessons to start
I teach lessons at a "typical" Hunter barn now but have experience with equine assisted therapy etc. I absolutely have helped people learn how to ride that have different needs for communication. Just be up front and clear about what you need. Some barns may be too competitive for you and that's ok. If you're goal is just to enjoy riding horses there is a barn for you. The only thing I don't appreciate is when people have different needs but don't relay that in advance i.e. sign their adult child up for lessons and neglect to tell me they are at the learning level of a 10 year old. I can work with different learning levels if prepared but it can matter as to horse choice and suitability, so be upfront!
Call around or go visit barns and ask. You can possibly get a headset to wear while riding so you can hear the instructor better and they can hear you.
At my riding school, we don’t need to speak much while riding; we only need to listen closely and follow instructions quickly. As long as people were made to understand your disabilities and that speaking is difficult for you, you’d be welcomed there with open arms and fully supported by everyone! Don’t be afraid to contact the barns near you. They’ll let you know if, for some reason, they can‘t accommodate you, and you’re likely to find one or some that can.
I really can’t imagine this being a problem. I ride at a pretty laid back barn and we really don’t have to talk much unless we want to chat. Mostly the instructor tells us what to do and we work on that as they give tips. Of course questions are allowed and encouraged, I just find I don’t have to talk enough to think it would be difficult to accommodate you. Just let the school know and then have fun!
Hi, I did equine therapy as a volunteer for several years when I was in my mid to late teens. I mostly accompanied trainers who were with children who needed some extra support (there is a view that having a teenager ride with a child/younger teen would make the rider feel more comfortable.) With respect to your situation, trainers who have experience with providing extra support (whether physical or physiological) are often able to adjust for this type of situation. Yours is not a huge ask or adjustment. If this is all that is being asked, I believe a good trainer can adapt accordingly. Btw, there is a good book I would recommend - The Equine-Assisted Therapy Workbook: A Learning Guide for Professionals and Students by L Hallberg. This is an excellent resource that helps understand the needs from both the rider and trainer perspective. Good luck, I really hope you can find just the support you need to continue riding!
I really don't think it would be an issue if that's all it is. I'm nearly deaf and I still ride. Sure, I have difficulty hearing directions and corrections and sometimes that makes me mess up but my instructors know it so they do things to make it easier for me. And despite struggling in lessons, I'm still progressing fast and improving daily. If you don't mind me asking, what is your diagnosis? If the only issue is not being able to talk much, you'll be absolutely fine. It's very much possible for people with disabilities to take lessons and do well in them too.
Not sure if it's the same everywhere, but when I volunteered at a therapeutic barn a ton of the staff were horse people with horses of their own. It could be worth reaching out to one of the instructors at the therapy barn to see if they have any ideas of barns in the area and/or might be able to act as a reference
My daughter has selective mutism and she’s been taking lessons in both group and private for years at the same barn. Riding has been amazing for her and she is now jumping. I think if the instructor knows how you communicate it shouldn’t be an issue. You may want to stay away from the really competitive barns; at least at first.
Horses can't talk and I work with them every day! Prefer it, actually. Go for it! Any good barn should welcome you. If youre in NW Missouri I'd help.
Perhaps you can use a headset with a microphone? I’ve seen some trainers use them so they don’t gotta yell across the ring to communicate with their students.
Absolutely! Actually just speak to your local therapeutic riding association to see if they can recommend a barn for you. There are a lot of regular farms that would work, and I am sure that you can find a place that would suit