MAKE A LESSON DIARY

Get the most out of every lesson by writing down what you've learned and tracking your progress.

- LAURA BOYNTON JOBSON

No matter your age or experience level, one thing is for We all look forward to lesson day! It's a chance to spend time with your favorite horses and barn friends, to work hard with your trainer and to become a better rider.

One way to get the most out of your lessons is to create a riding diary to help track your progress. By recording how your lesson went, what skills you worked on, and any new information you've learned, you'll be able to stay on track toward your goals.

The fun part of using a journal is that you can personalize it and make it your own. Here are some tips for creating your very own lesson diary.

1. LIST THE BASICS

Find a notebook or journal to make your diary; personalize it with stickers, photos, magazine clippings and drawings to decorate the cover and entry pages.

After each lesson, write down the date, the name of the horse you rode, how long you rode, and which instructor gave the lesson.

This will help you track hours in the saddle and establish a timeline of your progress.

2. GET DETAILED 

Write down what kind of lesson you had. Was it English, western, bareback or on the longeline?

Share what activities and exercises you did and what skills you worked on.

For example, a beginner may write: "I walked around cones and practiced steering."

Intermediate: "I dropped my stirrups and worked on balancing the sitting trot."