Normal etiquette at the Riding School??? *whinge alert

[Fools Motto]

My daughter had her riding lesson this evening. She HAS ridden before, but not for 16 months or so. She is capable of rising trot, a bit of steering and doing random balance excersises off the lead (on a quiet pony) and more 'grown up stuff' on the lead including a few steps of canter, a small jump and hacking. It was the first time she has been to this RS, and due to her previous riding, she was on a nice quiet pony, who knows his job inside and out and therefore no need for her to be lead. I wasn't worried.
First thing was, the previous lesson ran over time, no by much, maybe max 5 mins. BUT, as we had arrived nice and early, and were stood waiting for a while not one person came and spoke to us, until it was literally lesson time. Then, my daughter and her friend, led their ponies to the arena - all fine apart from a quick divert to the haylage , and we waited for another few moments while the previous lesson left the arena.
The actual lesson was good, was just the re-introduction my daughter needed.
At 5.28 (according to the clock in the arena) the girls were asked to stop their ponies, get off, run stirrups up and leave the arena... but in the meantime, the next lesson came in! I am all for punctuality, but we waited at the begining, the next lesson didn't. We started 5 mins late, and finished 2 mins early, thus being deprived of 7 mins in total... quite a large amount of time for only a 30 min lesson!??
BUT, anyway, the main thing is the girls enjoyed it, and they weren't clock watching like I was.. a blessing really as both girls want more riding! I just feel slightly short changed.

Now, my by far biggest whinge luckily didn't seem to affect anyone else, but me. The YM is a person whom I know quite well. I used to teach at this RS, and left to have my kids. I saw the RS start from scratch, and its certainly developed massively over the last 8 years or so. Not once did the YM say ANYTHING to us, not that I am expecting her to recognise me personally, but not even hello in passing. Instead, all I could hear throughout the lesson and during walking through the yard was '*** don't bloody well do that, pull his head up, *** get here, what the hell are you doing? and other random ORDERS. Felt like everyone else who works there, or rides there is getting some sort of army drill sergeant training, like it or not.
She was the instructor teaching the next lesson after us, and quite clearly our (very nice, great with the children) instructor HAD to drop what she was doing, put out the red carpet and stand to salute sort of thing!. Felt most odd... respect is one thing, but to the extreme is another. It used to have a friendly atmosphere, but tonight, it felt far from it.

So, anyway, that was my whinge, and wondered if it's like this all over in RS these days. I am so out of touch!

 

[gnubee]

I dont think they're all like that. Some are much friendlier than others, although I think a lot of them aren't really friendly to new people and only start to say hi once they recognise you around the place.
On the timing, you may find its swings and roundabouts, sometimes you will be the lesson that runs 5 mins late and it will work itself out. I agree that losing that much of a half hour lesson is not really on though. If it happens next time and you want to stay at this school then its probably worth discussing it with someone there. Im not entirely convinced that two of my current instructors have clocks.

 

[mashnut]

We do try to do our best to run on time but, admittedly, I'm personally not the best time keeper. With the kids I teach, if something cuts the riding short (and it could be one of a hundred reasons), I fill with stable management. Basics of tacking up/ untacking/ picking out feet. Or if they are really tiny, I take them to see the BIG horses (cos the little don't get to go to the top boxes much).
As for the boss.... Mine is lovely. We toe the line but usually without the need for Sargent Major antics. I promise they aren't all like the one you've met.

 

[baymareb]

I wouldn't be too worked up about nobody talking to you - it sounds like a busy place and you got attended to when it was your turn.

The time thing may or may not be a problem but I would wait to see if it's something that happens regularly. As gnubee said, it may be that you get the extra time next time.

The main thing is that the kids enjoyed themselves and their instructor was good. I'd give it all the benefit of the doubt until you have more time in there.

 

[Pedantic]

The horsey world, don't you just love it.

 

[phoebeast]

Totally seen this before. Used to work for a woman who felt it neccesary to throw her weight and the odd order around purely because she really didn't have a clue beyond the basics .

 

[jesterfaerie]

Unfortunately sometimes lessons run over but the instructor should do their very best to fit as much in as possible and not cut the lesson short. I would speak to the YM if you feel it is happening too often.

However, I turn my riders in at 27-28 minutes past so that leaves a few minutes for the riders to dismount and run their stirrups up, ask any questions and for the ponies to be led out. If they continued to ride up until half past then turned in, every single lesson would run over and in a busy riding school it would cause chaos.
At the RS I work at, if the clients turn up and their pony is in the stable and not in a lesson the yard staff will get them on the horse/pony so they are ready to go straight into the lesson. This makes the instructors job a lot easier in some lessons as it can be quite a task to get 6 riders on and started without cutting a lot of riding time out if the lessons run back to back.

It is a shame that all you could hear her shouting all sort of orders, not the best impression for the customers it also isn't the best way to get the best out of their staff.

 

[PolarSkye]

I think everyone else has addressed the timekeeping issue . . . what throws up more of a red flag for me, however, is the atmosphere you describe. Happy, relaxed yards mean happy, relaxed horses and ponies . . . essential if clients are going to get the most out of their lesson. I have been on yards where there has been chaos, stress and barked orders and it doesn't make for a pleasant place in which to learn - never mind watch. There's being strict and keeping things moving and in order . . . and I don't even mind raised voices sometimes . . . but what you described sounds borderline abusive and bullying.

Only you know what the atmosphere of this yard was really like - we weren't there - but it's certainly something I would be keeping my eye on if I were in your shoes.

Good luck and hope your daughter continues to enjoy reacquainting herself with riding and all things horsey!

P

 

[Kat]

Like the others, I think the not saying hello is irrelevant. As long as the instructor and any staff that you actually interacted with (groom who got the horse ready, person who you paid etc) were friendly and polite that is fine, you can't really expect people to drop everything to chat to every passing client.

As for time keeping, keep an eye on it. You will probably find you don't lose out in the long run, sometimes you will run under, sometimes over, but if you feel you are being short changed have a word. Bear in mind too that sometimes it is better to finish a few minutes early on a good note before horses or riders are too tired than start something new with a couple of minutes to go.

 

[Miss L Toe]

I think you need to find a better place, to be honest there should not be shouting swearing or ordering about in a well run establishment, in our local place everyone gathers at the office, and no one is ever left on their own even if they just happen to turn up at an inconvenient time,
First time people are asked about experience etc when they book, normally have a private or shared lesson for assessment, they are introduced to the pony, normally help with tacking up and are taken in to the arena for a lesson, staff and others always say hello to anyone who is obviously new, or "wandering about" and anyone is free to go round the stables to say hello to horses if they are early, they usually ask to do this, obviously.
As to time, well time has to be allowed for tacking up and general chit chat, then the 30 min lesson, then the pony is usually put away by the rider, with supervision if required [as they progress they like to do it themselves. so a 30 min lesson actually takes about 40 t0 50 mins.
As you recognised the YM/Instructor, she might have at least had time to say hello, and she should have known you were a new client, otherwise what is she managing?

 

[dianeholmes]

My horse is liveried on a yard that is also a BHS registered RS. When staff are busy getting ponies ready etc or have back to back teaching there are often only liveries around. I always smile and say hello but when people are new it is difficult for them to know what status you have. I have often been approached as a staff member in error. I always try to be polite! I can see some people do not like the fact that there is no one to meet and greet them when they arrive early but RS run on a shoestring these days and are unlikely to be over staffed!!

I think the getting on and getting off has to be in the time for a lesson otherwise you would need either additional staff or lessons with 10 mins added on!