Lesson or get your own?

[Jacksie]

Hi all. Whilst this is my first post, I have been a lurker for years. I have a dilemma and am hoping for your views and input. I’ve ridden for a number of years but still consider myself to be a novice rider. I don’t have my own horse at the moment and decided to take lessons to improve my riding and to complement the hacking I do at a range of other places. I feel as though I am not making much progress in my lessons and am starting to feel disheartend. My instructor, whilst lovely, doesn’t seem as proactive or energetic in pushing/correcting me as I would like and I’m not sure if we have reached a point where it’s not working on that basis anymore. Ive tied a few other schools (privates and groups) and again they’ve not been quite right. Either from a level of instruction or the way they are run etc. I really don’t want to sound whingey but feel as though I’m going through the motions of lessons but not really learning anymore and this is often on horses I feel are not suitable. Each week seems to be a repeat of the week before although it’s not as if there is a focus we are working on or something I’m not getting for us to come back to - unless I’ve totally missed it. The best lessons I’ve had was when I had my own horse and had regular lessons on him. I’m not sure if I just had more to learn then and that is contributing to it. So with this is mind, what would you do - keep having lessons on a variety of horses and learn from the (at times frustrating) experience or get your own? What do you think the route to the most consistent progression is?

 

[SpotsandBays]

I guess it depends on what you want by “more”? Is there a sphere you prefer to do? If yes then perhaps look at centres that are more specifically aimed at that.
Is there a reason you don’t have a horse already? (Without sounding rude!), if no, then why not look at getting one! Whether that be to purchase or a loan/share.
I do wonder whether Instructors at schools etc are just used to people getting to a certain point in their riding and then the subjects move onto their own horses etc. Also whether the horses they use are capable of a higher level in which to teach on. I think the difference with having your own (or loan or share) to ride is that you can explain your goals to a private instructor abit better? Hopefully this is making sense, and don’t just go with what I’m saying as I’m just musing!
But on your own horse for example you might say “I’d love to get out and compete in a Novice dressage test” and then they have something to go off of. Where as I guess that in a school environment “I’d like to be better” could mean anything. Also on your own horse there could be specific weaknesses within the horse/rider combo that need to be ironed out, that would improve riding - but I don’t feel you’d be able to have those experiences if you’re on a different ride every time.
Edited to add: although, the ability to be able to get on various different horses every time and ride without feeling odd is so good! Many people get very used to their own horses way of going and then it takes them a while to settle in on a different horse.

 

[coblets]

Normally I'd say riding school -> share horse -> own horse, but if you've had your own horse, why not buy another? You'll get more of a benefit from riding various horses once you've made the progress you say you're not making at riding schools.

 

[Amun]

To be honest when reading your post my impression was that the problem is not a schoolhorse but simply an unchallenging and maybe a bit "boring" instructor - as you pointed out, each lesson is just a repetition of the previous one, over and over again... I had several instructors just during the last couple of years and it's really a huge difference. So I would keep looking for the right one

 

[LadyGascoyne]

I would see if you can find private lessons on a schoolmaster. I’m actually considering doing the same and I do have my own.

I have a youngster and an effectively retired / very light hacking older mare. Neither give me an opportunity to work on my own riding, as wonderful as they are.

Sometimes you just need someone to put you on a horse that knows what it’s doing and you can be relatively sure that when things go wrong, it’s you ? and to push you to improve and work on your technique.

I’m thinking of popping an ad onto local Facebook groups to see if I can find someone who wouldn’t mind me having lessons on their horse or a private instructor who would let me ride one of theirs. Maybe that would work for you?

 

[Jacksie]

Thanks all. I lost my last horse a few years ago and never replaced him. I suppose I didn’t know what I wanted to do after that and decided to just hack instead at local centres until I had further inspiration. The horse I had was very well schooled and had been there, done it all (prior to me buying him) and I think I took that for granted at the time. I realise it would be difficult to find another like that and especially in the current market. At first I was happy to just hack out but I now feel driven to be braver and maybe do low level xcountry or go hunting (I would need to work to this as am def not quite there yet). It’s been a balance not having my own as it’s been cheaper and less time consuming but I suppose you can’t have it all and maybe I’m being unrealistic. The quality of the lessons I had on him were so much better and I left each lesson feeling as though I had been pushed. I could look at buying again but want to feel clear about the best course of action as feel as though I’m drifting a bit atm

 

[McGrools]

hi there, if you want to do some xc and possibly hunt then you definately need your own horse. Riding schools are generally risk adverse and will not let clients have a go at something that they deem a bit dangerous. Plus at a lower level riding school the ability of the horses is low and they work hard. Where i teach the larger horses are in short supply and none of them have any jumping ability to speak of.
You would need to go to a large training facility such as Talland or Ingestre to find the calibre of horse where you could do a bit more. Xx

 

[Squeak]

From your posts it doesn't sound like you're missing the horse owning side of it apart from for the better lessons? A horse is a huge commitment time and money wise so if the whole of it isn't filling you with excitement at the moment then I'd hold off for a while so that you can get what you want from riding at this stage.

As others have mentioned there are some places that specialise in schoolmaster lessons that might be worth a go. Otherwise how about a share?

 

[Spotherisk]

How about contacting your old instructor and asking if they know of anywhere suitable, as they know your abilities? They also might know of a loan horse.

 

[SantaVera]

its the instructor thats the problem,I think you need to keep searching for a better instructor and when you do have a serious talk with them about what you expect from the lessons. I dont thnin that buying a horse just to improve the lessons is the answer at all. what if the lessons stay boring and unchallenging on your own horse? how would you feel then? I'd try riding schools further afield.

 

[Jacksie]

Yes on further reflection, the prospect of owning another horse is not filling me with excitement I should have. I have a lingering hesitation and think like Backtoblack has said, it’s the ‘what if’ the lessons don’t improve or if the partnership isn’t quite right in terms of where I’m at currently and for where I would like to get to. It’s a huge commitment and I know it needs to be right.

There’s been some really helpful suggestions on here though for me to consider and explore - thanks again