5 Elements of Equitation, Element 3 - Education

Education is about more than taking lessons or earning certifications. It’s about staying curious and open to new ideas. We learn from books and clinics, but we also learn from every horse we work with. The best horsemen and women never stop learning, no matter how experienced they are. Education reminds us that there’s always more to discover and that humility is key to progress.

Education in the equestrian world is far more than learning facts or mastering techniques. It’s a journey of discovery - of horses, of ourselves, and of the relationships we build with them. Education is the foundation of all we do, shaping not only how we ride and train but how we think, observe, and feel.

Education is not just about acquiring knowledge; it’s about learning how to learn. It’s the process of asking questions, contemplating answers, and staying curious. It involves more than just books or lessons - it’s found in every ride, every mistake, every moment we spend with a horse.

Philosophically, education is an act of humility. Allowing yourself to be educated is to recognize how much we don’t know and to be willing to seek understanding. It’s also an act of respect - acknowledging that the horse, deserves our best efforts to learn how to meet its needs and communicate clearly.

Education in equitation/horsemanship can be divided into three interconnected layers:

Technical Knowledge: The mechanics of riding, training, and horse care. This is the "how" of horsemanship, from learning to ride a proper circle to understanding saddle fit.

Practical Experience: What we learn through doing - sitting in the saddle, handling horses, and navigating the real-world challenges of working with these animals.

Deeper Understanding: The wisdom that comes with time, reflection, and listening to the horse. This is where we learn the "why" behind everything we do.

True and long-lasting education combines all three. Without technical knowledge, we lack structure. Without experience, knowledge remains theoretical (this is a very dangerous territory). And without deeper understanding, we risk treating equitation as a set of tasks rather than a meaningful connection or art.

Education reminds us that we are always both teachers and students. While we teach horses through training, they teach us just as much -if not more. They teach us patience when we are rushing, humility when we’re frustrated, and awareness when we’re distracted.  They reveal to us where we are lacking, vulnerable, or whether or not our “ideas” about things we thought we knew are simply that, ideas.

Education also challenges us to question our assumptions, filters, and again, our ideas. Why do we use certain methods? What purpose do they serve?  Are they rooted in tradition, convenience, or results? Education encourages us to approach every decision with thoughtfulness and integrity.  Many times, we’ve heard, “I was told I need to XYZ”, but given no explanation or understanding as to why.  Ongoing education requires that we stop and think (and ask), that we take an outside/neutral perspective on the situation.  Perhaps most importantly, education teaches us to embrace failure as part of learning. Every mistake is a chance to learn and grow.  The best horsemen are lifelong learners. Education is not about perfection - it’s about consistently and actively collecting new tools and skills (you see what I did there).  It’s about learning to communicate in a language the horse understands.  Horses are mostly black and white, clear and simple.  It is usually us humans who need to relearn the same lessons.

Our learning in and out of the horse world is never finished. There will always be new techniques to try, new horses to understand, and new insights to uncover. This is what makes horses so rewarding… and challenging.  

Education is like a wedge of pie.  It grows until you feel like you have almost the entire pie - then you meet a new horse and realize that the pie is actually getting bigger.  So yes, your wedge was growing - BUT SO WAS THE PIE!!  

In the end, education turns riding into a lifelong journey, one that challenges us not only to become better equestrians but better versions of ourselves.

Follow along for  Element 4 “Competence”

© Sarah Orloff, Still Waters Equitation 2024. All rights reserved. Sharing of this article is encouraged, provided it remains in its original form and proper credit is given to the author. Reproduction, modification, or use of this content without explicit permission is prohibited. Contact the author for permission.