Side Walking Certification written portion

Side-Walker’s Responsibility

Side-Walker Qualifications Because of the important nature of this position and the high demands it entails, Side - Walkers must: Be 14 or older Be able to stay focused on the student throughout the entire lesson Demonstrate the maturity needed to listen, take suggestions, and handle emergencies

Before Working with a Student: Ask the instructor about the student and any special needs they might have Ask the instructor what goals the student is working on for the lesson Introduce yourself to the student and parent. Let them know you will be helping them in their lesson for the day

Before Mounting a Student: The primary Side Walker will talk to and help the student listen to the instructor.The primary Side Walker will talk to and help the student listen to the instructor. Decide who is the primary Side Walker and who will dismount the rider in an event of an emergency. The secondary Side Walker will be assisting to make sure the rider is balanced and safe, and give appropriate praise and encouragement.

Mounting the Student Some of our students need assistance getting on their horse. As the Side Walker in this process you may be asked to: Position yourself on opposite side of the horse Stand ready to receive the rider’s leg

Mounting the Student Remember Always wait for the instructor and follow their instructions Be ready to receive the rider’s leg. Do not let go of the student until they are safely on the saddle and the instructor says it is ok Inform the instructor if you feel uncomfortable or unsure about anything

Ensuring the Students Safety In order to ensure the student’s safety, the side walker should know and be able to consistently demonstrate all of the safety holds. Ask the instructor at the beginning of each class which hold you should use. If your student requires a hands-on hold, NEVER TAKE YOUR HAND AWAY during the entire lesson.

Safety Holds High Thigh Hold High Thigh Hold Your forearm should rest over the students thigh and your hand holds onto the pad or saddle. Be ready to balance the rider with your other hand if needed.Your forearm should rest over the students thigh and your hand holds onto the pad or saddle. Be ready to balance the rider with your other hand if needed.

Safety Holds Underarm Hold One hand should support the rider by placing the hand on the shoulder blade with the thumb under the student’s arm. The other hand rests on the rider’s knee.One hand should support the rider by placing the hand on the shoulder blade with the thumb under the student’s arm. The other hand rests on the rider’s knee.

Safety Holds Hand to Thigh Hold One hand should support the rider by holding their thigh. The other hand should be up and ready to balance the rider if needed.One hand should support the rider by holding their thigh. The other hand should be up and ready to balance the rider if needed.

Safety Holds Bubble Hold Create a safety bubble by placing one hand in front of saddle and the other hand behind the saddle.Create a safety bubble by placing one hand in front of saddle and the other hand behind the saddle.

Safety Holds Behind the Saddle Hold Place one hand on the saddle behind the student. Be ready to balance the rider with your other hand if needed.Place one hand on the saddle behind the student. Be ready to balance the rider with your other hand if needed.

Safety Holds Calf Hold Support the rider by placing one hand on their calf. Be ready to balance the rider with your other hand if needed.Support the rider by placing one hand on their calf. Be ready to balance the rider with your other hand if needed.

Safety Holds Ankle Hold Support the rider by placing one hand on their ankle. Be ready to balance the rider with your other hand if needed.Support the rider by placing one hand on their ankle. Be ready to balance the rider with your other hand if needed.

Safety Holds Buddy Walk directly alongside the horse, by the student’s knee. Be ready to reach out and stop the horse or support the rider if needed. If the horse gets ahead of you do not chase after him. Ask the lead walker or student to stop the horse.Walk directly alongside the horse, by the student’s knee. Be ready to reach out and stop the horse or support the rider if needed. If the horse gets ahead of you do not chase after him. Ask the lead walker or student to stop the horse.

Assisting the Student to Follow Directions Listen to the teacher and help the student follow through on the instructions given. Give the student time to process the instructions before helping. If needed, remind the student to:  Sit up tall  Keep toes up & heels down  Keep hands up  Look in the direction of travel Listen to the teacher and help the student follow through on the instructions given. Give the student time to process the instructions before helping. If needed, remind the student to:  Sit up tall  Keep toes up & heels down  Keep hands up  Look in the direction of travel

Dismounting the Student Some of our students need assistance getting off their horse. As the Side Walker in this process you may be asked to: Help the student take feet out of the stirrups Help lift the rider’s leg over the saddle

Dismounting Remember Always wait for the instructor and follow the instructions Make sure both of the student’s feet are out of the stirrups before dismounting Inform the instructor if you feel uncomfortable or unsure about anything

Emergency Dismounting In some unsafe situations, it is necessary to quickly remove the rider from the horse. ONLY dismount the student when instructed by the instructor. Make sure both feet are out of the stirrups and call out, “CLEAR!” “Slide, Spoon, Glide” the rider off the horse. (Discussed in hands-on class)

Emergency Dismount 1) Remove the rider’s feet from the stirrups. 2) Call out ‘Clear!’ 3) Slide your arms under the student’s arms and spoon to your chest. 4) As the other side walker lifts the leg over the horse’s neck, pull the rider off and away from the horse, letting him/her slide down your body to the ground. DO NOT try to hold him/her up.

Safety Rules Act professional and stay focused. Do not talk to other side walkers, zone out or ignore the student or instructor. Be respectful of the instructor’s authority in the arena. Keep cell phones out of the arena and breezeway Always stay beside the student’s leg area Notify the lead walker of any unsafe situations Never leave class until relieved of duty

In Case of Emergency Inform The Instructor Inform the lead walker. If necessary and instructed to do so, emergency dismount the student. If your student falls off, get in between the horse and the student and inform the instructor. Do not move the student.

Quiz Please complete this short quiz and bring it with you to the barn! THANK YOU! Thank you for volunteering your time and energy. Courage Reins could not run without volunteers like you!