Live online lessons started for me during covid lockdowns so that clients who were allowed to go to their horses, could continue their training with me. This is all thanks to modern apps such as FaceTime, WhatsApp Video and Pivo Live Lesson. Then as the UK returned to ‘normal’ my regular clients asked me to keep it going, as I can’t always get to them as often as they would like and it saves them a lot of time and money not having to travel to me.
I now have clients from all over the world, the only difficulty is synchronising watches!
While it may seem daunting at first, once you’re comfortable with the setup, all my clients tell me it feels just like I’m there with them teaching with my speakers.
Interested? Here's a guide on how to set up for an online lesson.
What you need for WhatsApp Video, Messenger Video or FaceTime Live Online Lessons -
⁃ Good Internet connection
⁃ Fully charged mobile phone
⁃ Fully charged Bluetooth headphones
⁃ A second person to hold the device
Check you have a good network connection in the arena or field where you plan to have your lesson and a device capable of making and receiving video calls.
You'll need Bluetooth headphones so we can hear and communicate with each other during the lesson.
To test it, try making a video call to a friend from the riding area.
Walk around to ensure you maintain a stable connection throughout.
To check your earphones, leave your device at one end of the area, and walk to the other end to ensure the headphones stay connected.
After you have done the checks to make sure that things will work from your end, I like to have a free practice run with you. Then we both know you will be more relaxed about it all on the day of our actual lesson and can therefore gain the most from our time together.
If you don’t have second person to hold the phone, Robotic Camera options are brilliant.
PIVO LIVE LESSON has became very popular.
No second person required.
Pivo website -
https://uk.pivo.ai/?ref=9urfdfxbm4&gad_source=1&shpxid=dd4455ad-3b19-42d9-8ef0-b2fdcc2f3963
Pivo Live Lesson info -
https://support.pivo.ai/hc/en-001/articles/4408303665293-Getting-started-with-Meet-mode
PIXEM is a fantastic (but more expensive) robot for videoing you riding.
No second person required.
Pixem website -
https://shop.movensee.com/en/
Pixem Lesson -
https://tv.movensee.com/
TIME
I allow 1 hour and 15 minutes for these sessions in case anything does goes wrong with technology and we can then reconnect without stress. I ensure the horse still only ever works for 45 minutes. 9.9 times out of 10 everything runs completely smoothly and it then means we have some time after to chat about future goals, theory/principles, or any other subjects I can help you with.
PRICE
£60 for 1 hour 15 minutes.
