I Don't Believe I Am Contemplating This....! Need Opinions (Don't worry, not sad!)

I don't know you Mrs Mozart but have read lots of your posts and you come across as lovely, funny, intuitive and a fantastic communicator. TBH I think some of the doubters on this thread are the types who don't understand that some people are just self-deprecating and modest about their abitilies (which is how you seem to be - far from arrogant or conceited in my view!). The problem is so many horsey types are riddled with 'one-upmanship' and drone on about how great they are so when people poke fun at themselves e.g. your post when you fell off, bless ya :D they don't realise that actually you may well have twice the knowledge and ability they do!

Please never stop banging on 'bout hot choccy - HUN! xxx
 
Rouletterose said:
Sounds as though you've done a fair old bit with your life from your last post, but some of that is obviously back in your childhood and we have all done such things in the past. I'm afraid I agree with the 5 or 6 other posters that feel from all your photos posted on the forum you look very novice, I know you say you haven't done that much for a few years cos of family but you don't look as though you've ever been an experienced rider, 'that' position on a horse is never lost.

Not wishing to be mean at all but you do seem to have an inflated view of your abilities, teachers have to be qualified and insured and most children prefer to be taught with other children in proper riding schools, you can't just set yourself up as a sort of 'self help' advisor with other peoples children and their safety.

I wish you luck in whatever you decide I'm a great believer in following your dreams but calling everyone 'hun' and rambling on about hot chocolate all day long wouldn't fill a lot of people with confidence regarding your abilities, also anyone who works such long hours and has such a full life riding etc wouldn't have all the time you have to post on here! you'd have to give that up for a start, I think you are probably just day dreaming, no law aganst that.
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Oh go away.

Did I ask for comments on my riding ability? No, I did not. Did I ask for your opinion on whether it would be right or wrong to be an instructor, no I did not.

You get on Dizzy, as she was, and ride her. You ask people what she was like. It took experience to sit that lot. I have not now nor never, ever said I was a brilliant rider, I was good at sticking on and encouraging horses to listen and behave, then to go on to be schooled. I don't give two hoots whether you like my position or not, it works for me and for Dizzy. I am not about to go round Badminton. I am not about to attempt to teach someone to go round Badminton. I taught D1 the basics and everyone comments and how well she sits - well I was the one that taught her. I have taught other people in the past and they were and all quite happy with how things went.

At no stage have I said I am going to be a full time riding instructor teaching at a high level, not even a medium level, but have considered it at a low level. Note the word 'considered'.

Having just re-read your post, your arrogance is intolerable. How on earth do you know how much time I spend on here and what on earth does it have to do with you? Do you know how many machines I have open and how many things I am and have been working on this evening? Just because you are incapable of doing it, does not make me so.

As to my childhood. I was riding horses from the age of ten until twenty-something, with breaks to go climbing and working. I have worked on equestrian centres, on a ranch, and ridden many different horses. No-one ever objected to how it I did it. I am very sorry if that offends or if you are incapable of working out that it was all half a life time ago for me and that a lot has happend since then and that I have changed a lot, both physically and mentally and I am the first to admit that I am not the rider I was in any way, shape or form!

I do not have to fill anyone here with confidence as to my abilities about anything whatsoever. I will call who I want 'hun', so long as they themselves do not object; as to the 'hot chocolate' if you can't see that is written as a means of providing warmth and support then I am sorry for the way you view the world.

May I strongly suggest that you put me on User Ignore? You obviously don't like me and I sure as heck do not like what little I have just learnt of you.
 
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I call people hun (and recently, wench - rediscovered that word, love it:p) on here; doesn't mean I behave that way on professional occasions. So not sure that you can judge someone's potential levels of professionalism based on that...:confused:
 
Rouletterose said:
Only agreeing with quite a few other posters on this thread, everyones entitled to their opinion, or are you one of those that unless everyones saying yes, yes, yes then they are in the wrong.
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Of course you are entitled to your opinion - just as others are entitled to form their own opinions of your unpleasant, rude post. Also no one else has insinuated that OP has effectively lied/exaggerated about her life experiences/career/whatever odd suspicions you seem to harbour. Manners maketh man - learn some.
 
There is nothing wrong with exploring some options and seeing what comes of it.

Teaching is amazingly rewarding and some people have a natural talent for bringing out the best in others, which is something that gives the teacher a great buzz as well. If you think this might be you, maybe there is a way to pick up a few hours and try it all out before opting for a full career change? One possibility is to volunteer for your local RDA group and work your way up to an instructor - it won't make you any money but it would be a fun thing to do and might give you a feel for whether you want to do this full time.

Saddle fitting seems more popular than ever, and I've always had to wait quite a while for someone knowledgeable to have time to come and see the saddles. I am not too sure though how much of the income comes from new saddle sales and how many of these there are as opposed to saddle re-fits. Bitting is becoming more and more of a specialist thing, so it might be interesting to try to combine the two? I have a feeling saddle making may require quite a bit of training (apologies if other people discussed this, I have not read the entire thread), my friend looked into it and thought she needed to do a 4 year apprentiship with a Master Saddler which was too demanding for her.
 
Rouletterose said:
Only agreeing with quite a few other posters on this thread, everyones entitled to their opinion, or are you one of those that unless everyones saying yes, yes, yes then they are in the wrong.
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It's the way you do it. There are ways and ways of saying everything. Other posters have said that they don't think it would be for me, but they have managed to say it in a construtive manner, which has not caused upset or offence and has enabled me to view their opinions and thoughts clearly.

I have taken on board everything everyone has said and put it into The Game Plan, even your comments, because maybe I have to review how I am viewed and does it matter to me. I come on here for relaxation and to learn and to help where I can. My job is tough, as are many, and I do not want to have to drag 'that' person in here: I want this to be calm and charming. It's not my life; I enjoy it, hence getting on when I can, and I want it to be fun and good, but if the only way to get 'respect' is to be hard and full of myself, well, I may have to reconsider either being here or what I want from it.
 
Rouletterose said:
Sounds as though you've done a fair old bit with your life from your last post, but some of that is obviously back in your childhood and we have all done such things in the past. I'm afraid I agree with the 5 or 6 other posters that feel from all your photos posted on the forum you look very novice, I know you say you haven't done that much for a few years cos of family but you don't look as though you've ever been an experienced rider, 'that' position on a horse is never lost.

Not wishing to be mean at all but you do seem to have an inflated view of your abilities, teachers have to be qualified and insured and most children prefer to be taught with other children in proper riding schools, you can't just set yourself up as a sort of 'self help' advisor with other peoples children and their safety.

I wish you luck in whatever you decide I'm a great believer in following your dreams but calling everyone 'hun' and rambling on about hot chocolate all day long wouldn't fill a lot of people with confidence regarding your abilities, also anyone who works such long hours and has such a full life riding etc wouldn't have all the time you have to post on here! you'd have to give that up for a start, I think you are probably just day dreaming, no law aganst that.
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What a bunch of malarky! The absolute best instructor I ever had was a woman who taught me in the late 70's and periodically up through the 90's. I'm not sure when the last time she'd been on a horse was - she lost her ability to ride because she had scoliosis.

Bodies change. Muscles change. You most certainly CAN lose 'that' position on a horse, even if you don't have something as severe as scoliosis. But what you have in your head, what you can see with your eyes, what you can impart with your words - you don't lose that just because you've lost some of your flexibility.

I'm not sure why so many people here think you have to be able to get on a horse yourself in order to teach others. My old instructor - Sally Swift, you may have heard the name? didn't have to.
 
Haven't read all replies Mrs M, but life is short and we should sometimes follow our hearts (having used our heads very carefully first:)

As you know D_K is an instructor and is fortunately very busy atm, down side is very little time for his horses, hence hardly any competing this year, and even less time for his family. Most of his clients work 9 to 5 ish, so they want their lessons weekdays 6pm onwards and at all times over the weekends. (he gets in at 10ish most week days and I have to 'book him out' weeks in advance to do things at weekends)
 
Sedgemoor Chaos said:
If you want your hobby to become your job, then go for it. However if you want to keep your well paid job and keep horses as an enjoyable hobby then stay doing your doing.

Life is too short to be doing a job you no longer enjoy...you spend so long at work you might as well do something you want to get out of bed for.
There is more to life than money so if you can afford to live to the lifestyle your used to and have a job you love then lucky you.

What does your partner think?
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That's the bit I'm wary of. It used to be my job and I ended up almost hating horses - the long hours, the cold and wet (I coudn't afford the nice coats, etc.), Mum paid for my riding stuff (we had to ride in a uniform, including hairnet lol) and a scooter so as I could get to and from, and would give me lifts here, there and everywhere so as I could ride, so I couldn't ask her for more. I remember the cold mornings where fingers and toes were numb 'till teatime. I swear that at one place one could feel the cold wind come through the window! So, there are very good memories, and some not so good, brrrr. Maybe they are clouding my thoughts, but so are the good ones :D :D :D The brilliant mornings, the rides, the moment when you and the horse clicked, the giggles, the sheer joy of being fit and strong and loving what one was doing (the cold and wet didn't seem to matter then lol).

Hm.

So much to think about. Maybe I'll just take on some more work, get it settled, and buy another horse :D. Who knows. All into The Game Plan and see what comes out the other end :D

Hubby says okay, but wait until I'm sure as to what it is I want to do. I'm very lucky in that he's very supportive, and only occasionally disapproving lol.

This is definately a long term contemplate :D
 
Booboos said:
There is nothing wrong with exploring some options and seeing what comes of it.

Teaching is amazingly rewarding and some people have a natural talent for bringing out the best in others, which is something that gives the teacher a great buzz as well. If you think this might be you, maybe there is a way to pick up a few hours and try it all out before opting for a full career change? One possibility is to volunteer for your local RDA group and work your way up to an instructor - it won't make you any money but it would be a fun thing to do and might give you a feel for whether you want to do this full time.

Saddle fitting seems more popular than ever, and I've always had to wait quite a while for someone knowledgeable to have time to come and see the saddles. I am not too sure though how much of the income comes from new saddle sales and how many of these there are as opposed to saddle re-fits. Bitting is becoming more and more of a specialist thing, so it might be interesting to try to combine the two? I have a feeling saddle making may require quite a bit of training (apologies if other people discussed this, I have not read the entire thread), my friend looked into it and thought she needed to do a 4 year apprentiship with a Master Saddler which was too demanding for her.
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I like the idea of the RDA. Now that could be good :) I'll look into it (into The Game Plan it goes :))

Saddle fitting. So essential. It's been an area of interest for some time. Think it's high on the list... Interested in saddle make up and design. I started the Master Saddler course, but bobbered my wrists by over doing it (far too keen!). Not sure I want to do it again.... I can prepare and cut leather and double-hand stitch and still have all the tools, so maybe bridles, etc. Hm. Thought :)

Bitting. Read some very interesting books. Would definately need to do a whole lot of reading and studying. So much to it! Good idea though (into The Game Plan with it :D).

Ta hun. Have a hot choccy :D
 
thelwell_girl said:
Oh MM, when you go, I go :mad:, as will many others!
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Nah you won't hun, you'll be missed far too much :D

Maybe I need to review, maybe I don't, maybe people need to put me on UI :D :D :D

I don't want people telling me Yes to everything; won't and don't get anywhere like that. You ask any of my teams, lol, that would give them a laugh :D :D But, I do expect manners and courtesy even when someone disagrees :)
 
alwaysbroke said:
Haven't read all replies Mrs M, but life is short and we should sometimes follow our hearts (having used our heads very carefully first:)

As you know D_K is an instructor and is fortunately very busy atm, down side is very little time for his horses, hence hardly any competing this year, and even less time for his family. Most of his clients work 9 to 5 ish, so they want their lessons weekdays 6pm onwards and at all times over the weekends. (he gets in at 10ish most week days and I have to 'book him out' weeks in advance to do things at weekends)
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Now that's a good one. The hours. But with D working from home, it might work... Right, into The Game Plan. Ta hun :)
 
Can I make a suugestion? Battery about to run out so it'll be quick. What about life coaching? would combine business sense and your desire to teach/mentor. And you always give good advice.
 
You dont nessacarily have to be a top rider to teach it. Yes you need to be at some level and have a good understanding of what needs to be , how things should look, what horses respond too but actually its a lot easier to be stood on the ground watching where people are going wrong, give them advice and help and encouragement.

Go for it if you can afford it to stay enjoyable ie its not a sole income so doesnt stress you out
 
Goodness me Mrs M your thread goes on and on. Didnt expect it to be top of the charts at this time of night. You have sparked off a proper debate me'dear! x
 
SusieT said:
Sorry but I don't think you are remotely capable enough to consider teaching anyone else how to ride at the moment



OMG - how flipping rude!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Mrs M - this sort of quote should give you even more ammunition to do it - proove these rude doubters wrong

Susie that was sooooooooooo rude and uncalled for - im actually quite shocked and i thought i was immune to ignorance - omg, disgusting comment!

Mrs M do it - just to show the ignorant know it alls like her!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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CalllyH said:
You dont nessacarily have to be a top rider to teach it. Yes you need to be at some level and have a good understanding of what needs to be , how things should look, what horses respond too but actually its a lot easier to be stood on the ground watching where people are going wrong, give them advice and help and encouragement.

Go for it if you can afford it to stay enjoyable ie its not a sole income so doesnt stress you out
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Ta hun :D. That's the bits I like. I have the Dizz, who is grand and brilliant, but thanks to bobbered back, who knows when I'll get to ride again and do things with her. Teaching would enable me to feel part of it. And no matter what some folks say, I'll say it again, I am a good teacher :D. I am rubbish at many, many other things, but at teaching I excel :D :D :D. As AB says though, have to consider the hours. See, so much to this :)
 
Izzwizz said:
Goodness me Mrs M your thread goes on and on. Didnt expect it to be top of the charts at this time of night. You have sparked off a proper debate me'dear! x
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Hm. Sorry about that... I didn't expect it either lol. Ah well. It's probably because I've tried to reply to everyone's comments - lots of good ideas and things to think about. They are helping shape thoughts and ideas, so from my point of view it's been great :D

Hot choccies all round m'thinks! :D :D :D
 
narkymare said:
SusieT said:
Sorry but I don't think you are remotely capable enough to consider teaching anyone else how to ride at the moment



OMG - how flipping rude!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Mrs M - this sort of quote should give you even more ammunition to do it - proove these rude doubters wrong

Susie that was sooooooooooo rude and uncalled for - im actually quite shocked and i thought i was immune to ignorance - omg, disgusting comment!

Mrs M do it - just to show the ignorant know it alls like her!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Lol hun, I've already taught a few... let's hope they don't realise how bad I really am and unlearn everything and fall off :D

Ah well. We live and learn (sorry, excuse the pun!).
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Right have got off my lazy a**e and plugged in. The reason I suggested life coaching ( I know some people think it's a waste of time but it helps those who go for it and it's quite a money spinner) is that you have a lot of different experiences and an empathy with people so it could be valuable to share this with people who need a bit of advice or a helping hand whether in business or in life in general. It would probably pay better as well and it would mean you could still have the horses as a hobby. You could even use LL and LC to provide therapy and they would have a job to do.;)
 
I only got as far as page 6, so others may have already raised these ideas. Have a look on a few businesses and franchises for sale websites, they may broaden your opinion on where to go next. As well as Bowen, consider McTimoney, Reiki, have a look at the ICAT website. Regarding teaching, I was a driving instructor, could that work for you - no, scratch that, broken back will 'feel' that job a lot, I have permanent whiplash!
 
MrsMozart said:
Hm. Sorry about that... I didn't expect it either lol. Ah well. It's probably because I've tried to reply to everyone's comments - lots of good ideas and things to think about. They are helping shape thoughts and ideas, so from my point of view it's been great :D

Hot choccies all round m'thinks! :D :D :D
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Tis no problem, Im just surprised. You do just what you feel you want to and b---er anyone else. You have lots to consider and its not a bad thing, would be a shame to trundle thro life doing the same old same old.

Have to pass on the hot choccie, had a glass or 2 of the Rose Vino, I might be ill if I mixed me drinks. Night from Yorkshire. x
 
annagain said:
Right have got off my lazy a**e and plugged in. The reason I suggested life coaching ( I know some people think it's a waste of time but it helps those who go for it and it's quite a money spinner) is that you have a lot of different experiences and an empathy with people so it could be valuable to share this with people who need a bit of advice or a helping hand whether in business or in life in general. It would probably pay better as well and it would mean you could still have the horses as a hobby. You could even use LL and LC to provide therapy and they would have a job to do.;)
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I have a friend just starting out... Hm. Sorry, I seem to be doing a lot of humming tonight lol, but in my defence I do have two spreadsheets and some strategy thing open at the moment, starting to think it's time for bed lol.

I have to say I like the idea. Will looking into it. LL and LC would love it, so long as they could munch on (Sugarfree) polos lol.
 
Spot_the_Risk said:
I only got as far as page 6, so others may have already raised these ideas. Have a look on a few businesses and franchises for sale websites, they may broaden your opinion on where to go next. As well as Bowen, consider McTimoney, Reiki, have a look at the ICAT website. Regarding teaching, I was a driving instructor, could that work for you - no, scratch that, broken back will 'feel' that job a lot, I have permanent whiplash!
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Ouch! Don't envy you that one. Hugs hun.

Will add those to my research. I guess my back may play a bigger part in this than I anticiipated (I didn't anticipate anything, so it's a good job I asked the question! :D).
 
Hi I really dont want to appear as rude - but if the pics in your sig are of you riding then you need to further your education before you offer to teach people. You may be able to talk the talk but the person riding in those pics is a terrible rider!!

The horse is being forced into an outline and the horse is very behind the verticle and bent at the 4th vertibrae!! Also the horse lacks any correct muscle - Sorry I'm trying to be constructively critical not rude BUT I would not let this rider get on my horse EVER!! And I always insist on an instructor riding for 20mins to further my horses education I dont want someone to stand there and say do this and that I want them to get on and show me "how"

Good luck for whatever you decide x
 
I had a fab riding lesson at slinks - horse was being a bit of a bugger so I asked instructor if she would get on and show me 'how' - her reply was no way lol

my old riding school was ran by a very experienced horse woman who was kind and compassionate and lessons with her you learned alot but she didnt ride any more
 
*Restrains self*

The pictures show two different riders.

The first is a renknown instructor and rider.

The second is me, slobbing about.

The horse overbends, it's an issue we're working on. One can have the reins as long as washing lines and she'll still do it if she wants to. No idea why she does it. Vets don't know why (inlcduing the AHT at Newmarket). Physio doesn't know why. McTimmony doesn't know why. The saddler doesn't know why. The bit people don't know why. The farrier doesn't know why. The instructors don't know why. The breeder doesn't know why. The lady who backed her doesn't know why. The lady that worked on her the summer before I got her doesn't know why. She's never been ridden in draw reins or any gadgets other than a running martingale. She just does it. No matter who rides her, and we've tried a couple of good ones (not many people would get on her then and they have businesses to consider). She is getting better though, the pictures are from summer last year (the second one is from the summer before).

The horse has no top line or muscle. Indeed not. She's a young horse that was still growing and constantly changing shape. In those pictures she's not long back from a week's lameness work up. I was not allowed to school her or work her from behind. Nilch. Nadda(sp). I was allowed to hack in straight lines, in walk and trot only, up to fifteen minutes, then twenty minutes, and so on (this over x number of months). She had two months off due to lameness. She went from looking like a coat rack to something resembling a horse, hence the pictures. Now she looks different again, and this time next year she will again look different again.

As to my instructor riding. If I don't get a point, or can't get Dizzy to understand then my instructor will get on, but that's happend twice. I have had instructors who will not get on. I have had an instructor get on a get a tune out of a horse that I will never be able to do. Pointless in my opinion and for the level I and my horse are at. If I were to teach, and oh, I have taught, I did not get on, I did not need to.

ETA: this thread was not about whether or not people think I would be a good instructor or not, I did not ask that question, and one could not possibly comment on my ability unless one saw me teach, I was contemplating what I could do, teaching being one of the possibilities, and interested in and taking into account the time and training any 'new' career would incur.
 
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HorseyLad said:
Hi I really dont want to appear as rude - but if the pics in your sig are of you riding then you need to further your education before you offer to teach people. You may be able to talk the talk but the person riding in those pics is a terrible rider!!

The horse is being forced into an outline and the horse is very behind the verticle and bent at the 4th vertibrae!! Also the horse lacks any correct muscle - Sorry I'm trying to be constructively critical not rude BUT I would not let this rider get on my horse EVER!! And I always insist on an instructor riding for 20mins to further my horses education I dont want someone to stand there and say do this and that I want them to get on and show me "how"

Good luck for whatever you decide x
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Im seriously hoping that this post is a joke!
 
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