Inspiration

[Kat]

Hi folks, I'm looking for some ideas.

My OH also rides, in fact we met at the stables, but just recently he has been feeling really down about his riding and is talking about giving up all together

We don't have our own horse, and so we have regular riding lessons at a decent yard with a BHSI. Our riding is restricted to the indoor or outdoor schools in winter but in summer we can use the fields. The hacking nearby is not great so although you can book a hack from the yard you pay the same as you do for a lesson and are restricted to a bridlepath which whilst off road is fairly boring, therefore we don't bother.

We have individually shared horses and helped out others with their horses in the past but there is nothing much about at the moment.

Now is not the time for us to buy our own as he is trying hard to get his business to a stage where he can "give up the day job" and I have a very long commute. We are also saving to get married.

He's a great rider and it would be such a shame for him to give up but he says he doesn't feel like he is making any progress and that he his hampered by not having "the right horses" or enough time in the saddle. He is getting really frustrated and is beginning to feel that there is no point paying for lessons when he comes away feeling frustrated and limited.

I can understand the way he feels, it can be frustrating, but I have been riding much longer and have for the most part got used to it and it only bothers me occasionally. I also know that I would not want to stop riding alltogether.

So I am looking for some inspiration to help him get his enthusiasm back.

He doesn't jump but has done some dressage and showing, although the dressage just seems to frustrate him more because he looks at the people turning up to shows on "fancy warmbloods" who have time to train their horses one to one and feels disadvantaged riding a riding school cob that he can only ride once a week and in the meantime gets ridden by anyone and everyone.

Any suggestion would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks

Katt

PS sorry just realised how long that is well done to anyone who made it this far!

 

[oliviacharley]

Go on a riding holiday together....it will def help to realise what riding is about and how fun it can be....
Maybe also having private lessons will help....they are more 1 to 1 and you feel you are moving forward faster.
They are more expensive but well worth it - also how about loaning a horse together....

 

[oliviacharley]

where abouts are you based...?
It might be worth changing riding schools as some can be limited and there are better ones about which can really help improve confidence...

 

[rubytwo]

I went to Castle Lesile in ireland, my partner bought it for my xmas present. It was to encourage me before my BHS exam it was great, i came back all postive. there are loads of different things you can do from indoor lesson, hacks and XC (although i saw he doesnt like jumping, however i have to say my patner cant jump but still came round the XC course and avoided just the jumps). have a look at http://horseridingireland.castleleslie.com/ hope whatever you do works.

 

[Kat]

Thanks for the ideas, he already has private and semi private lessons as well as some group lessons. We are happy with the instruction that we get and the quality of the horses at the yard we ride at is great. There is not a lot of choice of yards locally and the one we go to is one of the best.

The problem with the horses is that as he's 6'2" there are only a small proportion he can comfortably ride and once you take out the real dobbins then he doesn't have much choice to challenge him, and they are all a bit similar.

The idea of a riding holiday is great, we've both done one in the past before we met but never together so that might be a good idea.

I'd love to loan a horse together but at the moment time and money are a bit of a barrier - not enough money for full livery not enought time for DIY!

Really hope I can get him through this phase, it is so nice being able to ride together, and go to horsey things together.

Katt

 

[oliviacharley]

is your instructor freelance...im thinking if you have a friend who could offer you a bigger horse then the instructor could come out and see him....
also might be worth advertising at local saddlery asking for a horse to have lessons on - its surprising what people can offer....
also how about looking for a share for just a couple of days a week with exercise - that way it is on their yard hopefully with a school and the instructor could teach in there....
sometimes people advertise for just riders without payment to help keep their horses fit...might be a good idea also to ask around at local yards if the OH could help exercise the horses on full livery...that way he is getting the experience and making a good bond with a variety of horses....