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BIONÆR-Bionæringsprogram

HESTEFORSK Ryttarkänsla i praktiken - hur man undervisar ryttare H-20-47-567

Alternative title: Its all about the timing - teaching equestrian feel in practice

Awarded: NOK 0.44 mill.

The aim of this project is to investigate riding teachers? instructions of aids and their timing. The study will include five riders and two riding teachers in Sweden, and the same in Norway. The project is progressing as expected. So far, we have conducted a small pilot study, which included one riding teacher and two students. This provided valuable insights for optimizing the set-up. We have scheduled data collection days both in Sweden (in September 2021), and in Norway (in November 2021). We have prepared all the necessary protocols and technical equipment, and at the time of writing we have just completed the first data collection day according to plan.

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Instructing riders is a complex task because the riding teacher needs to pay attention to both the horse and the rider. This is particularly challenging in the riding school situation. The aim of this project is to investigate riding teachers' instructions of aids and their timing. The study described in this application is interdisciplinary. Biomechanical measurements will be used to capture the horse’s and the rider’s actual movements, and this will be combined with ethnomethodological and conversation analytical methods to explore the interaction between riding teacher and rider, and with the horse. Combining biomechanical measurements and qualitative analysis in a time discrete manner has never before been applied in equestrian research. This novel approach is likely to uncover knowledge that previously has been hidden when biomechanical or qualitative methods have been used in isolation. The study will include five riders and two riding teachers in Sweden, and ditto in Norway. Riders will receive instructions on two horses (40 rides in total). Riding teachers will be interviewed regarding their teaching, and riders regarding their understanding of the instructions. The study will provide new knowledge about teaching and learning how to ride. Experiences gained in the study can be used in further research to improve the effectiveness of teaching at riding schools to benefit horse welfare.

Funding scheme:

BIONÆR-Bionæringsprogram