Do you have riding lessons?

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littlen

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Particulally those who own their own horses?


I have been a happy hacker for years with my boy. He was a rescue and suffers from seperation anxiety so for the past year he has done nothing except a plod around the block in company. I have been thinking and really want to try and bring him back into work fully in spring, so we can do some fun rides and maybe local shows (might be pushing it abit with this one!) I bought my horse after a 5 year break from horses and I havnt has lessons at all with him just have battled on myself.

Problem is, I havnt had a riding lesson for about 15 years! I proberbly ride like a sack of potatoes if im honest. My horse does not work in an outline, and has no concept of the correct way of going (my fault!)

I was thinking about getting a couple of lessons for myself over winter, ready to bring my boy into work in spring so hopefully I will be more confident and able to teach him right.
Is it worth getting some lessons on a different horse, or am i better off just attempting to get some lessons on my horse, even though he wont travel well and I dont have a school?

What do you with horses do with regards to lessons and improving... use your horse or a RS horse?


Also im not looking forward to going to a school. It sounds silly but im nervous about being picked apart and the fact i havnt even sat on another horse for years!
Im a nervous rider. Ive never learnt to jump properly (infact, i just dont jump, and on the odd occasion I have to it usually ends up with a bolting horse and me on the floor)
I dont use proper aids for canter (i just click my tounge with my horse but i dont expect this will work on every horse i meet) and I dont even think i know what diagonal in trot i am in. I know its embarrasing but i dont want them to think i shouldnt even own a horse!
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I do feel stupid now
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I have my own horse and have lessons but will be honest I dont have enough.

I dont think you should worry about their opinion of you the fact that you want lessons should be enough and if they are any good you should be fine.

The lessons on own horse versus RS is more tricky how about you have a few on an RS horse then do your homework on your own and then have a few on your own horse.

And as someone who has tons of lessons I often get the diagonal wrong so what!

Good Luck.
 
I would definitely have lessons on your own horse - this is what I do and not only do you learn loads about your riding, but the instructor will also be able to identify what you need to work on with your horse as well, and give you exercises for 'homework' so you can continue to improve between lessons.

I know you said you don't have a school but do you perhaps have an area of the field you could have a lesson in rather than having to travel? If you are just starting with the basics for your horse this may be sufficient, and he may be more relaxed in his own environment.
 
i am an old school rider you know grip with knees etc and as i have now a new 4 year old did not want to teach him bad habits so have started having lessons on him.
my analogy on riding is like driving a car you don't drive like how you were taught and i think riding would be the same so don't be hard on your self if you got the right instructor you will find it not that scary step to take if that makes sense....
 
I normally have regular lessons but I have had 3 months of vet bills due to getting flu/tet jabs restarted as they were all over the place. So thats took all my lesson money.. now the snow is here so still can't get one!
 
Yes - but then it is the only way I can ride without a horse!

I'm looking to buy at the moment and will continue having lessons. Much as I am looking forward to being able to ride without an instructor watching my every move I also want to continue to learn and improve. I have seen what a huge difference a good instructor can make even when you are an established rider.

Most liveries at the riding school have regular lessons and a number of them occasionally ride school horses.

I would take some time finding a good and sympathetic instructor who understands what you want to acheive. Some lessons on a school horse would help as the school horse will be schooled to respond to proper aids and to go on the bridle (if it is a decent school) and this will help you to learn. They are also normally good confidence givers, so if you fancied having a bash at jumping I would highly recommend a school horse.

I think the ideal for you would be to find an instructor who does both freelance and riding school work (what mine does) so you can do both lessons at home on your horse (or box to the school) and lessons on a school horse as and when appropriate for your progression.

Don't be nervous, if you are honest about your abilities and your confidence then no good instructor will pick you apart.

Try to find an instructor via a personal recommendation but if not I'd suggest looking for a BHSI rather than an AI, while there are good AIs out there I think often the standard is not that high and a BHSI has had much more training and will be a better coach. No guarentees but I think a safer bet!
 
I woudent worry too much, having horses suposed to be fun and as long as you and your horse are happy and safe I would do what you like, however ive found lessons can be fun and give you self confidence, and a sense of achevment or make you feel like you have a mountain to climb and despondent.. alot depends on your instructor and your frame of mind i would go and watch some lessons and or clinics ask some questions and see if you like the instructor first,
hopfully you wil find one as good as mine shes funny , helpfull, positive. great at explaning things, a fantastic rider , pushes you and your horse to try in the most positive way without yelling .. hey good luck and enjoy.. whatever you decide to do
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Yep, I have lessons. I have jumping lessons with my YO occasionally and I travel to a flatwork instructor about once every 4-6 weeks (because that's how often she is in my area and because I can't afford anything more regular with her).

Where are you based? I would think the HHOers can recommend a nice friendly place for a few lessons and a good instructor to give you lessons on your own horse
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When I 1st got my horse I didnt have lesson as I had lesson daily at College. I tried a couple of instructors but none worked for me and my horse, then a new lady came to our yard and brought her instructor so I watched a few lesson and loved her teaching. So not all instructors are right for every1, bare that in mind.

I have a lesson once a week and my instructor has her two horses on part livery with me so she helps me out if I have a problem. I'd be lost with out lessons
 
I am 40 years old & have just started to have lessons, i had my old schoolmistress and we used to plod round the country lanes, i could walk, trot, canter & gallop in a fashion (i.e. i stayed on lol) so did not feel the need to have lessons. I did not need to use any aids, just said the word i.e. trot / canter and she did it, did not know what a diaganol was etc. She was the best horse ever and was unfortunatly pts at the age of 30 in May 2008.

I stupidly purchased a young, green horse with the intention of moulding her into my schoolmistress eventually - lol i hear you say, yes i was a naive fool. Its been 2 years of hmmm interesting occasions (1 year of which she was on box rest with a fractured pedal bone). She came back into work in May 2009 and after a slow fittening regime i have started to have lessons, i love it, felt foolish at first obv, but got a sympathetic instructor and my mare & I are coming on a treat, i can 'feel' my diaganols now and my position is improving, just need to master the art of sitting trot.

Just go for it, you will be fine.
 
Snowflake-pea - I agree not all instructors are good for everyone, people have very different styles of teaching and learning as well as different priorities and so on.

A good instructor may be good but if they don't suit your learning style you will struggle. An excellent instructor can adapt but it is best to get someone who you click with and are compatible with. You need to have confidence in them and trust them as well as knowing that they are aiming for the same things as you. Then it will be fun and not a chore!

Greywelshie - post your location and we'll try to help. I know quite a few freelance instructors in the midlands.
 
The place where I ride the liveries often join in on riding lessons and sometimes even the most experienced riders pick up a few tips and tricks along the way from the instructor. Think it also gives newbies a bit of confidence having slightly experinced riders on the lesson as they give them tips etc.
 
I say go for it. Be honest about your abilities and what you want to achieve and I'm sure you'll be surprised at how enjoyable lessons can be and how much you will be able to improve your horse by taking away what you learn and applying it at home, either whilst hacking or in the fields when the ground is good.

Good luck!
 
i think lessons on your own horse would be the most beneficial as he is the horse you have!!! (tho the odd lunge lesson on a saint is very good for you as a rider) talk to some local people to you and get a few instructors numbers! phone them and explain (like on the forum) about what you would like to acheive. if you get the response you like the sound of have a lesson with each (all will be quite different in their approach to teaching) then choose the one you felt you liked the best. whilst you want a sympathetic instructor you also want one that will give you confidence and push you for that little bit more! Good luck and have fun. set your goals and work towards them!
 
I have lessons with my 5 yr old.Was a happy hacker for years then decided that Iwould like to do more. No shame in it and I have a fab instructer who I can have a laugh with and also puts me and horsey right.

Well worth it i think, and I put it into practice when hacking my other horses too!!!
Have a go- you may be surprised!!
 
I have lessons weekly, and I know for sure I wouldn’t have done so well with my horses without them. Plus I really enjoy them. For me lessons are a must. So go for it!
 
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