Anyone else scared of lessons?

[Ranyhyn]

Having never had a lesson in my life, I must admit I am desperately scared to have a lesson. I guess its because I know I am probably useless and am dreading having my riding pulled apart! BUT I am going to be brave because one of my biggest aspirations is to be good enough to not be scared to ride at shows etc.

Does anyone else share my fear and have you gotten over it?

Kitty

 

[TinselRider]

I always get VERY nervous before my lessons sometimes to the point of nausia

ops: But I ALWAYS come out smiling and feeling soooo better for it

 

[Munchkin]

I'm terrified of my trainer rather than my lessons

but I always love it once I'm there, and having something to work on afterwards. Good luck!

 

[PaddyMonty]

Just remember that who ever you are having lessons with will also be having lessons themselves.

Lessons are not (well should not) be about pulling riding apart. Rather building on the good stuff whilst minimising the impact of the not so good bits.

I generally find a have a laugh at some point in every lesson, be it as [pupil or instructor

 

[M_G]

As long as you try your hardest and listen, it will be fine lessons are there to help you and horse improve, They can be fun.... Honest

 

[Ranyhyn]

Oh its going to be a lesson for them for sure!!! lol and there will be lots of laughs, mostly from them lol as I waddle off in bits after my lesson!!! But its all good, 2010 is going to be the year I learn how to ride!

 

[eahotson]

I think most people are nervous of a new instructor and some are ,quite understandably, nervous of a known one.Thing is, you should not have your riding 'pulled apart'.Critisism should be constructive and your confidence built up.Do not tolerate a bullying instructor however good they are meant to be.Some instructors are just that, bullies! I was badly bullied and ended up a nervous wreck.Learnt my lesson though and have a fabulous instructor now.

 

[SW3]

Definitely! Every time I have been to a new trainer I have been nervous - I want them to think I am worth training and not a complete numpty! Silly eh?! Once I've got through the first few minutes of nervous embarrassment I tend to love it though - I find it amazing that a good trainer can make a positive change in me in less than 30 mins (finding things to change that I had not even thought about!

).

These days I'm just up front about the fact that I have a lot of things I need to improve on but make it very clear that I want to work hard and don't mind being bullied a little bit if it helps in the long term... I figure if they are happy to teach me on this basis and I've warned em I'm no Anky then all will be well! Go for it, you'll love it.

The other thing I try and do is kid myself that my nervousness is just confused excitement that needs to be rebranded!?!

 

[Persephone]

The first time with a new instructor, I'll be on pins!

After that I just can't wait for the next one.

You'll be fine Kitty

and what a positive step to take!

 

[kylie88]

You will be FINE!! I had never had a lesson up untill 2yrs ago!was taught to ride by mum and auntie. it was the best thing i ever done and im sure your ridding will be better than what you think

 

[russianhorse]

I've always loved to have lessons, but am petrified that they would pull me completely apart and question how on earth I can even own a horse

Im sure instructors arent that bad though lol

 

[MilosDad]

Good for you, you will love it.
Mine's brilliant, is always positive and adapts her teaching to my learning style.

 

[Prince33Sp4rkle]

really?

i love my lessons, spend ages planning mine and pony's outfit so we *tone*!!!! yes they are hard work but i always have a laugh with my trainers, bit of a gossip etc in the breaks.

i would hate to think any of my clients are scared of lessons with me!

 

[Riverboy]

YES! Terrified of riding in front of people for years! Still don't like it... what I have done though is find an instructor who understands that. She's paitent with me, but pushes me when I need it. She realises that my biggest problem is my brain - I'm scared I'm 'doing it wrong' or 'not good enough' - now I look forward to sessions with her as I come out full of confidence!

Its a really positive step and you won't regret it!

t x

 

[BeckyD]

Ooooh no I love lessons. They're the best bit of owning a horse. I love learning in all forms though, and am not afraid of hearing the truth (even when it makes me cry afterwards!). My equal-best moment of 2008 was a SJ clinic with a BSJA coach, it was amazing (though she was brutally honest about my (as usual) appalling riding). I love lessons! I'm a geek!

Good luck and enjoy yours! I bet you'll realise how much fun you've been missing out on. Those moments where it all comes together and you suddenly take massive leaps forwards in terms of quality and ability. ENJOY!

 

[Seahorse]

I love my lessons, I'd have one every day if I could!! My instructor is very positive and explains everything really well. She never makes me feel bad about my riding and in fact I seem to ride better when she's there. She gives me plenty to work on until my next lesson. I'd never have lessons with someone that makes me feel bad about my riding.

 

[1life]

Go for it FWF! That sounds like a fantastic target to set yourself for 2010. I have a client who first contacted me through email via a website. She needed help but, it turned out, was really worried what I would make of her and her neddy. I told her that I had honestly never taught any1 that I did not enjoy teaching,from complete beginners to experienced riders neding help with ringcraft or breaking a youngster.
I still have lessons myself and get very excited about them. I hope that's how you end up feeling after a few lessons...if not then try a different instructor til u find the 1 that suits you.

 

[MiJodsR2BlinkinTite]

I started riding when I was seven, and had lessons then at a riding school, until I had my first pony when I was 14 - then I did Pony Club and all that until I left school. Then there was this HUGE gap and I'd had two horses in the meantime (doing just happy hacking, nothing challenging) - and now at the age of 47 (yes really!) I had a few lessons, between horses, and my goodness what a shock to the system. For a start I was desperately, and embarrassingly, unfit, so after just a few paces without stirrups was puffing and huffing like a windbroken gander, bright red in the face plus the added indignation of wayward double DD tits jumping around like a couple of ferrets in a sack!

And afterwards I could hardly walk properly for nearly a week! BUT it did me good I am sure.

I've had some sorting-out sessions (very necessary) with my new horse as he had a speciall line in bucks combined with a unique little corkscrew movement. We had a natural horsemanship practitioner who basically watched everything I did, from catching him in the field through to feeding, grooming, leading etc, and then and only then did she see me riding him. I felt OK about that, but don't think I could cope with going round in circles and being shouted at! (Not sure the horse could either!!). I think its important to feel confident in your instructor, its no good having a lesson if you're gonna feel bad about your riding coz the horse will pick that up too. When I had the lesson I'm talking about, she got me jumping at the end of the first sesssion! and hey I just don't "do" jumping and havn't jumped for at least 20 years, yes honestly! So the right trainer is the thing, not just for you but the horse too.

 

[Mahoganybay]

I have just recently started having lessons for the first time at the age of 40, i stable my horse on a largish livery yard and the worst thought was that there would be a group of people stood watching me make a fool of myself.

I chose my instructor carefully so that she would be encouraging rather than 'barking' instruction at me and i arranged a time when there would be less people at the yard.

I have now had about 8 lessons and i have to say i love it, yes after the first few i couldn't walk properly after and i now don't care who's watching.

I would just 'go for it', you may just surprise yourself.

 

[Ranyhyn]

Yes, I agree I need the right type of instructor, someone who can have a laugh with me but also knows when to push me when Im just being defeatist!