First lesson expectations

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Horsely

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31 January 2009
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Hello,
This week my other half had a half hour riding lesson for the first time since she was little.
I was a bit unsure what to make of the lesson, as was she, and it's been 17 years since my first riding lesson so can't remember!!!
She basically spent half an hour trying to get the horse to walk, stay in walk and turn...all in a round pen with limited success.
This horse was unresponsive to the point that it was frustrating....totally dead to the leg. She was trying her hardest and felt a complete failure after the lesson, when actually she was giving correct aids, only to be told the horse was lazy and taking advantage of her and as she progresses she will get it to work.
She's giving it the benefit of the doubt and having an hours lesson next time, but I can't help thinking this horse is just not suitable?
Am I being too picky?
 
speak to the instructor to see if they will use a more responsive horse.
Are there lots of horses/ponies at the yard or is it a small yard where other suitable horses were being used?
 
If the horse was being lazy and taking advantage it is up to the instructor to help your OH overcome it. Whilst i think the basics are often overlooked and this can seem boring it is also important that you get something out of the lesson. You are the customer! Worth having another try but tell the instructor how she felt and if there is no improvement go elsewhere.
 
Hi guys,
Thanks for all your replies...nice to know I'm not the only one who thought it was a bad experience.
They did say she would be in the sand school next time, so I'm hoping this will make a difference for both her and the horse...hopefully she will have a few more "land marks" to focus on and be able to aim for those in walk when turning, rather than in a round pen.
As it was an assessment I assumed they just did this in case she was a complete beginner that might fall off just at a halt, but after 10 minutes it was obvious that she was confident and keen to try but there was no space and a horse that wouldn't comply!!! What else could the instructor have done to overcome this? They just said to kick a bit harder-the girl kicked and kicked and kicked!!!
 
I would be finding a different riding school. A lesson in a round pen sounds a bit odd to me. Even a complete beginner would expect to get more than that out of a lesson with a half way suitable horse and a competent instructor so it sounds like you had neither.
 
If all she was told was to kick harder then go elsewhere! There is way more to getting a horse going than that! Did she check your OH wasnt tensing/gripping her thighs, restricting movement with her back, etc? Not much space in a round pen to get a horse going forward, the constant turning is harder work so the horse is more inclined to slow down. After ten minutes the instructor should have seen your OH was ok and moved to the school. Doesnt sound like a good instructor to me, sorry
 
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