I need some advice....

[pinkcauliflowercat]

I need some advice, I have been riding for about 6 months at a riding school, however since it is based in the woods it's always hacking as they do not have an arena. Since it's quite busy with people and dogs walking around I spend most of the lesson walking and stopping then walking again. I get about 1 min of trotting per lesson and I haven't done anything more than this. I do feel like I am picking it up well and my instructor says so too but I don't know what to do.

I've had about 16 lessons! Surely within this time I should be progressing a bit. I am 23 years old and I am 4ft10, they have also started putting me on very small horses. They even told me they are the horses they take out for the kids rides which made me feel a bit awkward as I am paying a fair bit for these lessons!

Should I be looking to learn in a riding school with an arena instead? I am not sure if its possible for me to progress here.

 

[Barton Bounty]

I would look for somewhere with an arena, you should be walk trot canter and possibly popping the odd jump by now. If you were getting a proper lesson your confidence would grow more quickly too. I too would object to always riding the kids ponies. ?

 

[Starzaan]

Hello, ex full time riding instructor here. I used to run beginner courses, which was five private half hour lessons for those who had never ridden before. By the fifth lesson riders would be confident walking and steering unaided, and many would also be confidently trotting unaided.

You absolutely need to find somewhere else - a proper riding school with appropriate facilities. Where are you based? I'm sure we can help!

 

[pinkcauliflowercat]

Hello, ex full time riding instructor here. I used to run beginner courses, which was five private half hour lessons for those who had never ridden before. By the fifth lesson riders would be confident walking and steering unaided, and many would also be confidently trotting unaided.

You absolutely need to find somewhere else - a proper riding school with appropriate facilities. Where are you based? I'm sure we can help!

Hello! I'm based in Essex, I am able to walk and trot unaided and can confidently steer unaided too.

 

[pinkcauliflowercat]

I would look for somewhere with an arena, you should be walk trot canter and possibly popping the odd jump by now. If you were getting a proper lesson your confidence would grow more quickly too. I too would object to always riding the kids ponies. ?

That is what I'm aiming for. I thought that it's a shame as I really like my instructor but I don't think they even have an arena!

 

[Barton Bounty]

Let people know where in the country roughly you are and they will probably recommend some good places! You should be having a ball ?

 

[Starzaan]

I trained a few people who now work at Chelmsford Equestrian Centre and speak very highly of it. I would go for that as a starting point if you can.

You absolutely should be doing much more than you are currently. This is an expensive hobby, especially if you aren't getting much out of it!

 

[Merry neddy man]

The British Horse Society www.bhs.org.uk regulate riding schools throughout England, look on their web site to find a riding school near you, sensible horses and quality instructors.

 

[ownedbyaconnie]

I’d look somewhere else with a school.

I’m 5ft2 and always got put on the little ponies too. They’ll save the bigger horses for taller people that can’t ride smaller ones. There’s nothing wrong with a pony! That wouldn’t put me off, but not having an arena would.

 

[Skib]

I would look for somewhere with an arena, you should be walk trot canter and possibly popping the odd jump by now.

I didnt canter for well over a year. I had 2 lessons a week (BHS school) and my lesson was always in a shared indoor school. OH with a different teacher cantered about a year after starting.
However, I eventually learned to canter out hacking and many people regarded that as easier. There is a vicious circle here. One is not supposed to hack till one can canter and yet one needs to hack to get the feel of cantering.

 

[Barton Bounty]

I didnt canter for well over a year. I had 2 lessons a week (BHS school) and my lesson was always in a shared indoor school. OH with a different teacher cantered about a year after starting.
However, I eventually learned to canter out hacking and many people regarded that as easier. There is a vicious circle here. One is not supposed to hack till one can canter and yet one needs to hack to get the feel of cantering.

Yeah , I think mixing it up is the key, getting you out hacking gives you confidence to push that little bit more doesnt it. But you can’t really hack till you know the basics ?

 

[pinkcauliflowercat]

Yeah , I think mixing it up is the key, getting you out hacking gives you confidence to push that little bit more doesnt it. But you can’t really hack till you know the basics ?

It doesn't even feel like hacking! It's just a little plod walk along with a 5 second trot at the beginning and end. I think I need to be in an arena

 

[Barton Bounty]

It doesn't even feel like hacking! It's just a little plod walk along with a 5 second trot at the beginning and end. I think I need to be in an arena

Defo look at the place @Starzaan suggested then ?

 

[pinkcauliflowercat]

Defo look at the place @Starzaan suggested then ?

Unfortunately Chelmsford is a bit far away from me with traffic it would be about 45 mins each way so I will have to keep looking

 

[Barton Bounty]

Unfortunately Chelmsford is a bit far away from me with traffic it would be about 45 mins each way so I will have to keep looking

Ahhh thats a shame. Are you more the herts side?

 

[pinkcauliflowercat]

Ahhh thats a shame. Are you more the herts side?

Southend way! Ragwood riding centre has been recommended to me, so might give them a call.

 

[Barton Bounty]

Southend way! Ragwood riding centre has been recommended to me, so might give them a call.

Nice part of the country! Yeah worth a try ?

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

Shopland Equestrian is Rochford I think they have a pretty good reputation.

 

[Nari]

@Skib I think most people would be looking at cantering sooner than that, in an arena on a good school horse some instructors may even be looking at giving the OP the feel of a few strides on the straight by now if they're balanced and confident. It all depends on the rider though, but one thinng is certain, the OP isn't going to learn much on the rides she describes.

 

[Kunoichi73]

The small pony riding wouldn't put me off, but the rest of it would!

I'm 4ft 11" and can ride most of what my RS has, from the smaller ponies up to the ex police horse. It means, as you get better, you have a wider range of horses to get experience on. Some of the ponies can be more challenging than the bigger horses, as they get away with a lot with the kiddies and not many adults can ride them.

That said, as a beginner, you need to learn the basics and it doesn't seem like you're getting much instruction where you are at the moment.

 

[Bob notacob]

You are SO LUCKY to be small enough to ride ponies. (I Therefore now hate you lol) Some of us are forced by our size and weight to ride humungous monsters with appetites to match . It hurts so much less falling off a pony . You don't have time to reach terminal velocity . You merely get a bit dusty but "impact crater" doesn't enter into the equation. On a big horse you get hit by every low branch (or as once happened to me, the shirt ripped off your back) Ponies are cute ,have character ,and teach you to stay on. Bless their hairy socks!

 

[SO1]

I wonder if you have time if it is worth going on a learn to ride riding holiday. I think some places like in the saddle or unicorn trails offer these types of holiday.

Then at least you can go back to your woodlands school being able to canter and enjoy some hacks.

With regards to size of horse it is better to learn on a horse or pony that is best suited to your height and weight. A small horse pony might be better if you have shorter legs yourself.

 

[Bob notacob]

Also considering ponies . Are you aware of a pony called stroller,14.1 hh .Jumped in the olympic games with Marian Coakes. Go ponies Go!!!!!!!!

 

[ester]

Ponies are great, but I wouldn't call what you are describing a lesson in any way shape or form.

SO1 free rein do the learn to ride holiday thing too, it sounded like some were probably a bit bonkers ? but fair play to them!

 

[pinkcauliflowercat]

OP here, Just an update...I had an assessment lesson at another riding school yesterday! It had an indoor arena and I was very impressed the instructor was amazing and I think I learnt more in the 5 months I've been riding in one lesson lol. I am defo going to persue riding there now, it is a bit more expensive but I think it's worth it. I'm so happy, she was asking about my goals and how far I wanted to go so we will see! Thanks

 

[Chuffy99]

Sounds a great improvement, we’re looking forward to hearing about your new experiences

 

[SilverLinings]

That sounds great OP, good luck with your lessons at the new school

 

[outinthefens88]

OP here, Just an update...I had an assessment lesson at another riding school yesterday! It had an indoor arena and I was very impressed the instructor was amazing and I think I learnt more in the 5 months I've been riding in one lesson lol. I am defo going to persue riding there now, it is a bit more expensive but I think it's worth it. I'm so happy, she was asking about my goals and how far I wanted to go so we will see! Thanks

Having an instructor that you 'gel' with is so very important. In the last decade or so I must have had around 6 different ones at different times through different circumstances. Currently use three on and off as yard owner also teaches and is really good at getting the best out of anyone - another runs regular jumping clinics and another one has been teaching and running Pony Club for about 40 years.

 

[eggs]

Great that you have found a new school that better meets your needs. The place you were at was not teaching you - you were paying for a rather dull hack.

Ponies are great and will teach you a lot