I am an itinerant instructor so travel to various boarding facilities to teach intermediate H/J. I don’t mind an occasional observer of my lessons. However, I have a few non clients who “just happen” to watch my lessons but say they are keeping an eye on their horses turned out in the small paddock next to the outdoor arena. I have spoken to these individuals in private that I welcome their taking lessons but I am uncomfortable with their weekly presence on the rail as I teach. I have politely explained my students are distracted by their presence and if they wish to take lesson, I am happy to talk with them. Lesson after lesson, these same people are either at the rail or within easy ear-shot of my instruction. I have spoken with the barn owner who says boarders may go where they wish. So basically, I am teaching a paying student while two or three nonpaying riders who are boarders watch- under the guise of keeping an eye on their horses in the paddock alongside the arena on a regular basis. Not fair to me and not fair to my paying students. Any suggestions on how to handle these “regular” “free-loaders”? They put their horses in these paddocks about five minutes before my lesson begins, as I set up cavaletti, etc… And conveniently, take their horses from the paddock back to the barn just as my lesson ends. (I can’t change my lesson time slots.). Any suggestions beyond what I have already tried to do to stop this behavior?
Deal with it. You’ve already talked to the BM and she basically said tough tamales. Her barn, her rules. Don’t like it? Buy your own barn.
Just curious though, are you more upset that they’re distracting your clients or that they’re auditing for free?
Sorry that I’m being so blunt, its been a long week and cannot beat around the bush.
In dressage lessons we use a headset such as CeeCoach, Comtek, or some even use cell phones with the rider using a wireless Bluetooth ear piece. It would certainly prevent nosey rail birds from being able to hear your instruction unless they were standing right next to you. I’m guessing safety is the reason I don’t see these used in HJ lessons?
I personally don’t think you can stop it. If it was your farm then you simply wouldn’t allow visitors but they are boarders at the farms you teach at and to me that is similar to teaching someone at a show… anyone can and does listen. Hey, if they like the way you teach and the results you get then they’ll take lessons from you.
What’s the big deal? The students will have a whole lot more people watching them at shows. Better to be used to an audience.
And if the railbirds like what you’re saying, they’ll eventually take lessons too.
At my barn, lots of us watch each other’s lessons. No one cares.
I second cell phone with ear piece in. I’ve done it before when receiving a lesson in a busy ring- because it was hard to hear my trainer. It’s also nice b/c it doesn’t feel like she’s “yelling” at me due to a loud atmosphere. I’d absolutely recommend this- everyone has a cell phone and most people have a blue tooth ear piece.
If there is a lesson going on there will be people stopping to watch. its just what happens. George Morris highly recommends watching every and any lesson you possibly can.
Why are your lessons so super special that you dont want anyone watching? If I’m looking a new trainer then I want to watch a couple of lessons first. Usually on drop in so I’m not just watching their star rider.
Are the people watching bothering your rider? calling out directions, advise, ect? if they are then you can ask them to please keep their comments until the end of the lesson. If they are just watching then its a you issue not a them issue.
Wow…I had no idea… I haven’t been riding long, but I’ve never come across an instructor that felt this way about their lessons being audited. We’ve had several GP clinicians and trainers visit our barn and they were all open to auditors. I audit the jumpers and I don’t even jump. I just love to learn as much as I can.
Our trainers/clinician see the auditors as an opportunity to gain more students by showcasing their ability to bring out the best in a rider and their horse. Our BO has the option to charge an auditing fee for clinics, but she never does, and when the clinician returns, they usually have more students wanting to ride with them than time.
[QUOTE=PaintedHunter;8846805]
What’s the big deal? The students will have a whole lot more people watching them at shows. Better to be used to an audience.
And if the railbirds like what you’re saying, they’ll eventually take lessons too.
At my barn, lots of us watch each other’s lessons. No one cares.[/QUOTE]
Same here. Growing up, I learned a lot from watching other people’s lessons. And when I attend dhows, if there is a BNT warming up students, I always camp out on the rail and watch.
Unless you are a GM level trainer, or giving a high dollar clinic, I think you should just ignore it. It’s people watching someone else’s lesson at the barn they board at…not outside people auditing a clinic. The only thing you should have an issue with is if they are making negative remarks about the rider, horse or your instructions, or if they are disrupting it by talking to the rider.
Your reaction is not normal.
[QUOTE=PaintedHunter;8846805]
What’s the big deal? The students will have a whole lot more people watching them at shows. Better to be used to an audience.
And if the railbirds like what you’re saying, they’ll eventually take lessons too.
At my barn, lots of us watch each other’s lessons. No one cares.[/QUOTE]
I don’t see what’s wrong with people watching a lesson. I’ve paid for lessons with an outside instructor and had some people watching and listening (learning for free!). No one was upset, I wasn’t upset. Instructor wasn’t shy or lacked confidence. What’s wrong with learning? If some people were listening in on you…tried ‘your’ methods, liked it…they’d be more inclined to want to ride with you.
[QUOTE=PaintedHunter;8846805]
What’s the big deal? The students will have a whole lot more people watching them at shows. Better to be used to an audience.
And if the railbirds like what you’re saying, they’ll eventually take lessons too.
At my barn, lots of us watch each other’s lessons. No one cares.[/QUOTE]
Same at barns where I’ve been. Not only people watching, but sometimes riding in the arena while a lesson was going on. I think it’s a good idea. It helps the rider(s) concentrate on what they’re doing while being aware of what’s going on around them, and especially at a hunter show you need to be aware of other horses and riders in the ring with you and your horse. I also think it helps the instructor.
It’s not like they’re stealing trade secrets or anything. We’re all here to help each other become better horsewomen and horsemen. It’s not like these railbirds are riding in the arena with you and you’re correcting their positions or aids or otherwise giving them your individual attention.
[QUOTE=Kaylinne;8846778]
I am an itinerant instructor so travel to various boarding facilities to teach intermediate H/J. I don’t mind an occasional observer of my lessons. However, I have a few non clients who “just happen” to watch my lessons but say they are keeping an eye on their horses turned out in the small paddock next to the outdoor arena. I have spoken to these individuals in private that I welcome their taking lessons but I am uncomfortable with their weekly presence on the rail as I teach. I have politely explained my students are distracted by their presence and if they wish to take lesson, I am happy to talk with them. Lesson after lesson, these same people are either at the rail or within easy ear-shot of my instruction. I have spoken with the barn owner who says boarders may go where they wish. So basically, I am teaching a paying student while two or three nonpaying riders who are boarders watch- under the guise of keeping an eye on their horses in the paddock alongside the arena on a regular basis. Not fair to me and not fair to my paying students. Any suggestions on how to handle these “regular” “free-loaders”? They put their horses in these paddocks about five minutes before my lesson begins, as I set up cavaletti, etc… And conveniently, take their horses from the paddock back to the barn just as my lesson ends. (I can’t change my lesson time slots.). Any suggestions beyond what I have already tried to do to stop this behavior?[/QUOTE]
Your student is obviously getting the benefit of your instruction which no doubt you apply to his/her ride on that particular horse. If the unwanted onlookers are intelligent enough to apply your lessons to their riding and their horses that is great, you teach well. I would however guess that you aren’t teaching anything earth shakingly new in the intermediate H/J world. Certainly nothing that can’t be seen by many people every day at every warm up at every rated show no matter what level. It’s all out there.
The teaching of a rider on a particular horse is where the real skill comes in and since the onlookers are not riding that horse your instruction won’t be as helpful as it is to your student. That is why lessons on one’s own horse are more helpful (and thus more expensive) than auditing.
It does seem odd that you are worried about this. If you are a young trainer then be assured you needn’t worry about onlookers. If you are older? I don’t know what to say to you. You should know better.
I don’t understand your reaction either. During my long life in horses, I have never run into anyone who felt that watching someone else’s lesson was “freeloading.” People enjoy watching a horse and rider begin to “get it.” If they can apply something they’ve learned to their own riding, great, but to get real benefit, they will have to take a lesson themselves. I think most instructors know that. If they like you they will sign up. Rather than look at this as freeloading, you should look at it as free advertising.
[QUOTE=Kaylinne;8846778]
I am an itinerant instructor so travel to various boarding facilities to teach intermediate H/J. I don’t mind an occasional observer of my lessons. However, I have a few non clients who “just happen” to watch my lessons but say they are keeping an eye on their horses turned out in the small paddock next to the outdoor arena. I have spoken to these individuals in private that I welcome their taking lessons but I am uncomfortable with their weekly presence on the rail as I teach. I have politely explained my students are distracted by their presence and if they wish to take lesson, I am happy to talk with them. Lesson after lesson, these same people are either at the rail or within easy ear-shot of my instruction. I have spoken with the barn owner who says boarders may go where they wish. So basically, I am teaching a paying student while two or three nonpaying riders who are boarders watch- under the guise of keeping an eye on their horses in the paddock alongside the arena on a regular basis. Not fair to me and not fair to my paying students. Any suggestions on how to handle these “regular” “free-loaders”? They put their horses in these paddocks about five minutes before my lesson begins, as I set up cavaletti, etc… And conveniently, take their horses from the paddock back to the barn just as my lesson ends. (I can’t change my lesson time slots.). Any suggestions beyond what I have already tried to do to stop this behavior?[/QUOTE]
Echoing what others have said here. When I have extra time at the barn, I often find a spot on the rail and watch my trainer - or the other trainers at the barn - teach. The distinction you seem to be making is that your auditors aren’t paying for the privilege, but I also do not pay the other trainers at my barn and they’re generally just happy to help foster knowledge-gaining. And, at horse shows, I frequently set up shop by a schooling ring to watch trainers from other barns schooling their students. Can you imagine if they tried to get me to pay a portion of a schooling fee!?
Unless these people are offering unwanted commentary, drop it. You’re probably not going to get any more paying students with this kind of attitude…
ETA: As an additional note, in my area, barns that allow freelancers (particularly without exorbitant ring fees) are extremely few and far between. Which is to say, maybe count yourself lucky that you’re able to teach at this barn at all, rather than focusing on imagined problems.
Is this for real? 
If you are traveling to other people’s barns to teach, you need to be respectful of their clients and not try to control their actions. It really is none of your business if it is a coincidence their turnout schedule is the same time as the lesson or not.
I think the OP has lots of answers here and I agree. I do not see how this should be problem. The onlookers board at that barn and have a right to stand or be wherever they wish.
Also, does this bother the students? Since they are boarders, then why haven’t they gone to the BO or to their fellow boarders?
If you were leasing the facility and doing a clinic, maybe you would charge an auditing fee. But you are not. You are a visitor/guest at the barn and the BO allows you to come in and teach. That is a privilege, not a right.
Case closed?
1 post, joined today…As much as I hate pointing them out, since i have been wrong before, I think this is someone just trying to stir the pot 
OP, why do you not want people watching? Truly curious what the reason is.
Do you feel they are cheating the system by watching and not paying for a lesson? Does having extra people just watching make you nervous?
Very common at our barn to watch each others’ lessons. A lot of the time it’s just because we like to hang out there!
