Enlightened equitation lesson - anyone had one?

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Jingleballs

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I know that EE is a bit of a bad work on here but I'm interested in the experiences of anyone who has had an EE lesson and what they though of it and how it differed from a typical flatwork lesson.

I feel like I've hit a major block with my flatwork - I've gone from having a horse with lovely paces and natural cadence who was always placed at dressage to one that has totally lost that cadence and barely ever gets placed at dressage (other than a few wins earlier in the year)

Before anyone mentions the obvious his back is fine, saddle getting its 6 monthly check tomorrow and physio is out ever 3 months and in September when I had him last checked he was absolutely fine.

Just considering this as an option - I have a flatwork instructor who I really rate but we just don't seem to be progressing and I think its more down to my execution of the aids than the method of teaching.
 
I haven't I'm afraid but it's something I am also toying with so will watch this with interest. Hopefully some HHOers will come along who have some experience with it ;)

My horse hasn't taken a step back but I feel that it is my own biomechanics that are limiting our progress now, despite having an excellent trainer with a fab eye. Having watched a few EE vids on Youtube I think it might be an interesting thing to try. I really fancy a go on one of the simulators with someone to prod me until I move the right way :D
 
I had one this year, and it was OK. There were some useful bits in it, but tbh I wasn't too impressed with being told off for riding my horse in a pelham at the time so I had slightly more brakes. If I can explain why I use a piece of tack, that's good enough for me. Not good enough for the teacher apparently. Aside from that annoying me, the lesson was good and it did improve my lower leg position. Be prepared for your saddle being replaced by an EE one though.
 
No me neither - and that's what concerns me a little bit - that they try and steamroller you into needing to get all the EE gear just to ride your horse properly!
 
I hit a mental block with my regular riding lessons some time back and looked for an alternative as I was unhappy with what I was being taught. I did buy said enlightened equitation book but did not feel very enlightened after reading it. I then discovered Philippe Karl bought the book and was lucky enough to have one of his students in my area who teaches. Huge difference in what and how I was being taught and I love it.
 
I am early in my journey in classical riding. My instructor teaches French classical and equitation science. Both I and the boy are loving the new challenges. We weren't expected to buy any special tack, books or anything else.
 
Babybear - it's not about 'steamrollering' people into buying the EE gear but the sad truth is that many saddles on the market don't help the rider to sit in balance with the horse which affects the horses way of going.
A good EE teacher should point out if your saddle isn't helping but should be able to show you how to compensate for it.
 
I've had several lessons and a 2 day residential course with Pru Clayton Mead of www.equuso.com (shameless plug!) who is an EE instructor here in Portugal and loved every second of them :)

I haven't met Heather so don't know if she/other EE instructors are as knowledgeable, empathetic or as fun as Pru but my monthly lessons - we live 4 hours from each other - are invaluable.

Edited to add - Pru has taught me on my own horse, a Welsh cob that she found for me, in a barefoot treeless saddle and no pressure whatsoever to buy a HM saddle....not that it would fit anyway.... :D
 
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Sarah W said:
I've had several lessons and a 2 day residential course with Pru Clayton Mead of www.equuso.com (shameless plug!) who is an EE instructor here in Portugal and loved every second of them :)

I haven't met Heather so don't know if she/other EE instructors are as knowledgeable, empathetic or as fun as Pru but my monthly lessons - we live 4 hours from each other - are invaluable.

Edited to add - Pru has taught me on my own horse, a Welsh cob that she found for me, in a barefoot treeless saddle and no pressure whatsoever to buy a HM saddle....not that it would fit anyway.... :D
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Lol..well in that case heres where I go. http://www.holisticequitation.co.uk/

Equuso. Sounds interesting. Might be time for a trip to Portugal to escape the British winter :)
 
I've ridden in three of the simulators on a BHS day at Heather's yard, it was very interesting, and for me confirmed what I was doing correctly, and helped to direct me towards improvement. My youngster will be backed by EE instructors in Devon in the spring, Mike Aylmore and Tori. I'd love to have an EE saddle, I like the correct position and I'm most comfortable in a dressage saddle anyway.
 
maggiesmum said:
Babybear - it's not about 'steamrollering' people into buying the EE gear but the sad truth is that many saddles on the market don't help the rider to sit in balance with the horse which affects the horses way of going.
A good EE teacher should point out if your saddle isn't helping but should be able to show you how to compensate for it.
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Thanks Maggiesmum - as long as they instructors are willing to work around the existing equipment (as long as it fits the horse of course) then I'm fine with that.

I know my position definitely needs some improvement and it sounded like perhaps EE lessons would focus a bit more on those basics and compliment what I already am taught from my dressage trainer.
 
I have them... WITHOUT A DOUBT THE BEST THING I HAVE EVER DONE!
Take 'm' for example, verry stressy, no outline fights terribly has been the same for 9 years despite numerous instructors and different approaches. After starting EE she is now happy chilled, moving beautifully in a correct outline and ready to get out competing. 'E' sooooo stressy and kick along overbent and not great and he is now uber responsive (to our now correct and precise aids) fab outline and chilled and not at all spooky.
Before EE the horses were going to be sold for something 'simpler' now they are not going anywhere!
And there is no pressure to swat to a hm saddle, we did because it suited the horses and us soo well and tbh (depending on you and your horse) once you have ridden in one you will feel the difference in your horses way of going and want to switch lol but by no means ddo they push hm products on to you or berate you for your tack/riding/management.
 
I had lessons a few years ago from Anna Viberg, an EE instructor. She was absolutely fab, knowledgeable and kind to both me and my horse! We definitely improved with her - sadly lack of time, a school and funds stopped the lessons, but if I were in a position to be having lessons again, she's the one I'd call.
 
Not with heather no but EE is not a modern way of riding, it's not new, it's classical but the way heather teaches it does make it more accessible. I would recommend it but to be perfectly honest.... There are other ways of improving your riding by learning the classical seat. Instead of the EE website, look on www.classicalriding.co.uk.

It's not about who you go to, it's about the principles. Look for trainers who teach by these principles. That's the art of riding, not the who teaches you, it's the how.

For what it's worth I don't think heather is as classical as shed like you to think she was.

Also, I cannot believe an EE session would criticise you for using a Pelham. That's just ridiculous!
 
I have had a couple of great lessons with a lovely EE teacher who spent a lot of time explaining the correct use of aids/seat/contact etc and gave me more feedback than id ever had before. I was in a very difficult situation with my horse you is now up for sale as I don't have enough experience (turns out he was possibly never backed ) but I won't hesitate to contact EE again when I get my next horse.
 
tallyho! said:
Also, I cannot believe an EE session would criticise you for using a Pelham. That's just ridiculous!
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For using it with one rein as a handbrake out hacking ..... yep.

You dont have to use the saddles, it depends on what you've got and how it suits you and the horse. Nor is a pelham an EE piece of kit its usually a bog standard shires one.

I do agree that EE isnt the only classical route - however its a good way of getting your foot in the door and a way of finding an instructor who isnt about kick it on and pulling it in etc.
 
Tallyho has saved me typing. Couldn't agree more. After her foray on here, I wouldn't use HM or her products on principle. Although I'm sure there are other ee people who are perfectly pleasant.
 
I actually think who you go to is important. There are teachers and well erm teachers. lol The ability to teach is very important imho also having someone on the ground is invaluable.

To close your mind though a personal dislike can be very limiting ime.
 
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littlelegs said:
Tallyho has saved me typing. Couldn't agree more. After her foray on here, I wouldn't use HM or her products on principle. Although I'm sure there are other ee people who are perfectly pleasant.
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Unless you're having lessons with Heather herself, if youve taken a dislike to her, then writing off all the people she has trained is like cutting your nose off to spite your face! Every instructor is different as we all interpret things differently and communicate differently.
 
My mind isn't closed, there are plenty of other people who do the same, & in many cases better. I'd have a lesson with an ee instructor other than HM herself. And plenty of choice in very similar products. I would gain very little from a lesson with someone I have no respect for personally, & more importantly imo I've seen better.
 
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