Ridlärares instruktioner : omfattning och innehåll

Abstract: When Swedish riding schools became established, teachers often were former military and the culture as well as language from that time can still be seen during riding lessons today. The tradition with lessons in groups also maintains and a normal group lesson has between six and ten riders. The riding teacher uses different kind of instructions to guide the students during a lesson. The instructions given can be both group-based and individual. Instructions can be given in the form of for example directives, positive feedback or corrections. The aim of the study was to investigate scope and range of riding teachers’ instructions. Six teachers were video observed during riding lessons with between five and eight riders. Each lesson lasted for about 45-60 minutes. The recordings were transcribed and the instructions were analysed in terms of both content and frequency. The results show a similarity between riding teachers regarding the proportions between the different instructions with positive feedback and instructions regarding the rider’s positions and aids being the biggest parts. The results also showed that the teacher’s continuously shift focus of instruction between the riders’ position and aids, the equestrian feel, and the horses’ action. In conclusion this gives an insight in riding teachers’ complex work when addressing instructions to a group of students during riding lessons.