Lessons: School master or mechanical horse?

Ludi-doodi

Ludi-doodi

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I have regular lessons with a great instructor, but haven't had any for about 6weeks due to finance and holidays. Instructor has now broken his collar bone (trying out a horse for another client :eek: not sure whether they bought it!) and is likely to be out of action for at least another month or more if they decide to operate!!

Anyhoo getting to the point, I've been thinking about having some lessons in the meantime and can't decide which would be better - find somewhere that I could have a lesson on schoolmaster or go for lessons on a mechanical horse. I want to concentrate on my position first and then aids - hence the confusion.

In my position what you would you recommend and why?

And if anyone knows of a good place for schoolmaster lessons within an hour of Huddersfield, please let me know. The mechanical horse I know where there is one fairly close by.
 
I would opt for the schoolmaster lesson myself. I have only ever had two lessons on one schoolmaster but they (and he!) were AMAZING. I feel like I have more of an idea of what I am trying to acheive now - he was great in that if you didn't ask/sit correctly he wouldn't do what you wanted.

I had my lessons in portugal, so unless you're off on your hols I can't recommend anywhere, although would suggest the Yorkshire Riding Centre. Depends on what you want really, dressage schoolmaster or more allrounder/jumping :)
 
I guess more dressage/all rounder than jumping. My lower leg position is a bit wobbly and I think my right leg is a bit weak. YRC - of course, thank you! If anyone else has other suggestions though they'd be greatefully received!
 
The moody's do schoolmaster lessons. I thought about going for one but it would be a waste of money for me. Im nowhere near fit enough and im hardly riding.
 
I know that Ledston Equestrian did some kind of andalusian clinic a while ago, where you could ride their horses, can't seem to find any details, but might be worth a ring.

I hear Jane Bartle Wilson from the YRC (I think!) is a very good instructor, she teaches in my RC. although I am yet to have a lesson with her :)
 
I struggled with sitting trot a while ago so over the winter went for lunge lessons at a very good riding centre and went to a mechanical horse. My position improved dramatically! Sitting trot is not a problem & I am so much more effective on my horse that he has also improved dramatically. So if you want to work on your position I suggest lunge lessons - no stirrups or reins, worked for me - and the mechanical horse. I still have a lunge & mechanical horse lesson at least once a month as I find them so beneficial.
 
jacqueline33 said:
Why ask a real horse to put up with your not perfect seat/position/aids?
Click to expand...

Nobody has perfect seat/position/aids, so by that logic, nobody should be riding horses.

I think a mechanical horse is a good way to practise your position but if you want to improve your aids then I think it's probably better to do it on a horse who will respond to them.

Maybe have a couple of both types of lesson and see what works for you.

:D
 
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