lesson with a new instructor.....advise needed please

Angua2

Angua2

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Following the comments from my old RI in the vein of I cannot ride etc, I now have a lesson arranged with a new instructor. The problem is that It has been so long since I have had a new instructor that I am now not sure what a first lesson involves and also what on earth do I need to tell her.

Should I take along some of our dressage tests so that she can get an independant assesment, that she can use along with her own??

Would it be thought of as too forward to say what I think I am stuggling with and where I want to be in say x months time?

Ahhh.... I was up untill about 30 minutes ago really looking forward to this, but now I am really worried.

The other thing is that I am now boxing to the instructors yard. This is something that I have never had to do before so have no idea of etiquette.
 
As an instructor I always have a good chat to new clients before I begin the lesson. This involves:

Age of the horse
How long the partnership has been together
Any previous injuries to either horse or rider
What you have been doing recently
Any particular problem areas
Short term and long term goals
Anything else they would like to get out of the lessons
Tack check, and ask why they are using the tack they are wearing (eg if the horse has a flash i'll ask if the horse tends to open his mouth!)

Then I will watch them warm up (how they would normally warm up!) in walk, trot and canter (saying very little) so I can get a feel for the way the combination works, and begin to see any weak points. From there I will have a discussion with the rider about what I see, then I normally have about 30 mins (assuming lesson is 1 hour) to actually start working with the horse and rider. I always warn new clients I won't say much for the first few minutes, as I am assessing them, not ignoring them!!!!!!!

As far as the etiquette is concerned, just make sure you clear up any droppings your horse does on the yard, or in the car park! I'm sure they won't bite if you have to ask for a shovel!!!!!!

Main thing is to go and enjoy yourself, i'm sure you will be fine!!!!!!!!
 
im sure they will want to watch you warm up (do this as you usually would don't rush it) and then just see what they think and go from there, tell them your aims/ambitions, past successes, good points and points you would like to work on. And as for your old RI saying that well thats out of order and the pics in your signature look great. As for travelling to the yard, make sure you park with as minimal fuss as possible and somewhere where you wont block anywhere off, don't be nervous im sure you'll have a great time :)
 
Angua2 said:
Would it be thought of as too forward to say what I think I am stuggling with and where I want to be in say x months time?.
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Erm, unless they do mind-reading as a side line :D , no not too forward,how are they supposed to know. They should ask of course, but does no harm in telling them too!

Sounds like your previous instructor wasn't great with helpful, confident boosting comments, like you can't ride:eek: This can't be any worse and if you don't like this person, you don't have to have another. Just keep plugging away until you find one you like.
 
Ludi-doodi said:
Erm, unless they do mind-reading as a side line :D , no not too forward,how are they supposed to know. They should ask of course, but does no harm in telling them too!
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:D Yes you do have a point

As an instructor I always have a good chat to new clients before I begin the lesson. This involves:

Age of the horse
How long the partnership has been together
Any previous injuries to either horse or rider
What you have been doing recently
Any particular problem areas
Short term and long term goals
Anything else they would like to get out of the lessons
Tack check, and ask why they are using the tack they are wearing (eg if the horse has a flash i'll ask if the horse tends to open his mouth!)
Click to expand...

Thanks this really helps..... at least I know what to expect, and if it isn't forthcoming ( which when I think about it, I have never ever been asked) I will bring it all up.

I will now go away and have a think on all your points so that at least I sound intelligent!!.... that anything else question makes me quite thoughtful
 
[Following the comments from my old RI in the vein of I cannot ride etc, I now have a lesson arranged with a new instructor. The problem is that It has been so long since I have had a new instructor that I am now not sure what a first lesson involves and also what on earth do I need to tell her.]


I am quite shocked that an instructor is telling a student that they cannot ride!!
The job of the instructor imho is to help the rider to improve and build a partnership with their horse not to knock everything out of them by telling them they can't ride! This doesn't seem like a good instructor to me
I hope you have a better relationship with your new instructor.
 
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REMEMBER YOUR A PAYING CUSTOMERIf they make you uncomfy with stupid comments they are crraap at their job, move on and find someone else
 
Angua2 said:
Following the comments from my old RI in the vein of I cannot ride etc, I now have a lesson arranged with a new instructor. The problem is that It has been so long since I have had a new instructor that I am now not sure what a first lesson involves and also what on earth do I need to tell her.
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What?!?! :o
An Ri is suposed to help you improve,if you are having regular lessons and still "cant ride" they should be questioning their ability as a teacher....

Hopefully your new RI will be a sane and sensable person who will want to help you imporve your weak areas,the more info you give them the more they will be able to do that.
Try and remember to enjoy yourself :D
 
horselib said:
[Following the comments from my old RI in the vein of I cannot ride etc, I now have a lesson arranged with a new instructor. The problem is that It has been so long since I have had a new instructor that I am now not sure what a first lesson involves and also what on earth do I need to tell her.]


I am quite shocked that an instructor is telling a student that they cannot ride!!
The job of the instructor imho is to help the rider to improve and build a partnership with their horse not to knock everything out of them by telling them they can't ride! This doesn't seem like a good instructor to me
I hope you have a better relationship with your new instructor.
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LOL I was introducing sidesaddle at the time, and the words yelled across the yard were " i don't know why you are F****** well doing that, you can't F****** well ride at the best of times ( I cleaned the original post up!!), which was followed up by "mad" as she walked passed me

She then had a very public show down with me the following day over it, saying that it was a "joke" and trying to wriggle out of it and blame me over an ambiguous facebook entry......

*sigh*

Actually it was probably for the best, as I took the opportunity to watch a day of her lessons again (on and off), and all the students were still doing the same things I saw them doing over a year ago, and her sister is now affiliating at elementary level...... Hum!!

Well..... hopefully fingers crossed things will be better now, and that a good relationship can now be forged and we can achive the things that I would like this year.

Thanks Mrs M * takes the hot choccy and carefully returns the hug*. No jelly tots here but I have some toffee crisp bites
 
Having just started having lessons with new ri on my horse, mine went back to basics as she didnt know what i could/not do first lesson was walk and halt and circles and little bending .Im on my third and started cantering things are going well and shes introduced excersises i can practise in areana which ive not done in trot etc,and i know the difference between my first and third one !Been really good ! I was nervous though all week though the second lesson, just nervous at the last minute .You will know if lessons are benefiting you pretty quick.
 
Angua2 said:
Yep!!

http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=370956
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Oh how horrid, but i really wouldn't worry about her or anyone else. I can pretty much assure 100% when people say nasty non helpful comments it really means THEY are insecure. Literally if there were ever a way to tell the secure from the non-secure this is it guaranteed.

So instead take a moment to pity them and get back to enjoying your horse!

xxx
 
heidirusso said:
Oh how horrid, but i really wouldn't worry about her or anyone else. I can pretty much assure 100% when people say nasty non helpful comments it really means THEY are insecure. Literally if there were ever a way to tell the secure from the non-secure this is it guaranteed.

So instead take a moment to pity them and get back to enjoying your horse!

xxx
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Blimey Heidi, that is deep and it isn't gone midnight and as far as I know no alcohol has been consumed!!

But you are totally right!
 
Angua2 said:
Blimey Heidi, that is deep and it isn't gone midnight and as far as I know no alcohol has been consumed!!

But you are totally right!
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LOL... How funny, unfortunately i have come back from the pub with my boyfriend (and dog!) and yes alcohol was consumed... It was either browse on H&H or finish my coursework.. lol (I'm 27 so should no better!)

xxx
 
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