Oh how I wish I'd been taught to ride properly...

[Toby_Zaphod]

My wife learned to ride 45 years ago, she was self taught out of books etc. There wasn't the money about then to pay instructors, you went with what worked.

After a break for a few years & the arrival of children they ended up wanting to ride so off they went to a riding school. We knew the problems that my wife had from not being taught properly & we wanted to do it right. The riding school wasn't very good, you basically paid for the rent of the horse & the class followed each other around like donkeys on a beach & didn't learn much.

After a couple of years we moved on & bought our own pony & horses & arranged instruction ourselves. Daughter came on in leaps & bounds & now, she's mid 20s & rides beautifully. She now teaches her mother how to ride correctly & as has been mentioned earlier the hardest battle is to get her mother out of the ingrained bad habits that she pickeds up all those years ago. It is working though..........& they are still friends!

 

[Elbie]

Thanls everyone! I feel like I've had a big HHO hug now lol. So glad to see it isn't just me struggling! I think the only thing I haven't had to change is my hands. New instructor said at first lesson that they are good. So I suppose that's one thing!

Lulup - I have Maxine Kemp. She's based in Colchester (she has a website called Straight Forward Equitation). Would highly recommend. When I had lessons before I always felt a bit like I was "man-handling" the horse. Getting an outline was generally achieved by hands low and wide pulling the head. This is the first time I've had lessons and after you feel like "ahhhhh" instead of "arghhh"!.

Mozzie - That's a great way of thinking. Bring on stage 3!

Saffronwelshcob - We're on the same page! Our day will come!

 

[dark_prince]

Lessons with new instructor focus on how my 'position' dictates what the horse does.

Haven't finished reading the whole thread, but this is exactly what I think. When I have my lessons, and my instructor tells me to correct this, that or the other, usually to keep my elbows in and bent, I immediately notice a more positive response from my horse.

Hate how some people will do anything to get an 'outline', including, as you say, compromising or neglecting their own position in order to achieve this.

 

[kerrieberry2]

QUOTE]

Blimmin hell, how may holes did you put your stirrups down?

 

[Jola]

I have had weekly lessons for 3 years with a terrible teacher. Only found out how bad I was when I got a non plod horse and had a lesson with a friend. There should be something done about people that can't teach because as a beginner you know no difference!

 

[Cortez]

Am I right in thinking that it is not compulsory for riding instructors to be qualified in the UK?

 

[TrasaM]

I have had weekly lessons for 3 years with a terrible teacher. Only found out how bad I was when I got a non plod horse and had a lesson with a friend. There should be something done about people that can't teach because as a beginner you know no difference!

That's quite sad. When I realised that something was wrong with what I was being taught I tried to write down how I thought riding should be taught. The first sentence which came into my mind was " I wouldn't start from here". By this I meant that putting someone who'd never ridden before straight onto the horse without and explanation or demonstration on how the horse moved was not the right thing to do for either student or horse. I cringe now about how I bounced on that poor horse's back during my first weeks (months) of learning to ride. I was learning rising trot in my first lesson. Totally unbalanced, bumping on horses back and probably using my hands and therefore the horses mouth to balance.
I was fortunate enough that I did have a very forward going horse to move on to within my first year and that horse has taught me more than all the other horses I've ridden out together. Pleased that you finally saw the light but it must have been really disheartening to spend that length of time learning to then find out that there were major deficiencies in what you'd been taught.

 

[Cortez]

I do a bit of judging (dressage, ridden hunters/horses and in-hand youngstock), and frequently find myself asking (silently) "Who on earth is teaching these people to ride?", a lot of the riding is appalling! So, who IS teaching people to ride?

 

[TrasaM]

I do a bit of judging (dressage, ridden hunters/horses and in-hand youngstock), and frequently find myself asking (silently) "Who on earth is teaching these people to ride?", a lot of the riding is appalling! So, who IS teaching people to ride?

Very good question. You could pose as a total beginner and go to a few establishments and see what you find out? In fact that's a great idea! Product testing on riding schools.

 

[Cortez]

Unfortunately I spend quite a lot of time at riding schools - I teach a training course that is booked into equestrian centres/riding schools all around the country (Ireland) - and what I see there is 99% truly awful; I was hoping it was better in the UK.................

 

[Penumbra]

Am I right in thinking that it is not compulsory for riding instructors to be qualified in the UK?

Yep. If you run a BHS riding school, obviously they require you to have BHS qualifications- A BHS AI at a minimum must supervise all lessons even if they are not directly teaching, I believe, and the ASBR do ask for some qualifications of their instructors such as UKCC, but a riding school can run without being part of either of these bodies. RDA also require a BHS AI supervising, I believe. The licence granted by the council to run a riding establishment does not require any instructors to have qualifications, it is mostly based around horse welfare. They do look at rider safety but do not consider the quality of instruction. Most of the assessors will not be equine specialists, and the vet does not have to be either, so they wouldn't know good riding instruction anyway.

To be a freelance instructor, I am pretty sure all you need is insurance, but not 100% sure on this. I don't know if Pony Club ask for any qualifications of their instructors.

I worked at a riding school this summer during my uni holidays. One week we had a school come for enrichment week. There were three children there with their own ponies. One rode well, one was terribly nervous, and one was full of confidence but couldn't see a stride into a jump and couldn't be allowed to ride anything even a bit sensitive, as she only knew how to use her leg one way (very strong!).

I am not saying the instruction at the RS is perfect, btw, although the YO is very keen on riding from the seat and with your legs, rather than using your hands.

I also think as an RI it is important not to overwhelm people (especially novice children) with criticism, so it is easy to let bad habits creep in which then have to be corrected in people later on. I do think it is very hard to teach young children how to ride "correctly". If you give them too much bad feedback, they often get bored and don't want to come back- or worse, burst into tears!

 

[Elbie]

Thought I'd ressurect this thread to add a photo that I put together showing how I used ot ride compared to now. The "then" picture is from July 2010 but this is pretty much what we looked like up until I had lessons starting November 2012.

Improvement still needed but I think there is an improvement. Excuse the tinsel, it was Christmas Eve!

BTW, the picture on the right, my stirrups are a little bit shorter than I would normally ride with now. I just shortened them as we were hacking and wanted to be preparred in the event of any "wahoo" moments. Same goes for the bit! Normally ride in a snaffle

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[Exploding Chestnuts]

That statement seems odd, when hacking out on a sharp horse, I would lengthen my stirrups, and I got so used to this, my instructor had to tell me I was riding too long!

 

[charlie76]

That statement seems odd, when hacking out on a sharp horse, I would lengthen my stirrups, and I got so used to this, my instructor had to tell me I was riding too long!

I would always put my stirrups up if hacking , gives you a more secure lower leg.

 

[Biska]

You look more relaxed and confident with a much better seat and position in the "after" pic. Interesting thread, Thank You.

 

[SarahF]

Bloomin 'Eck. I've just read this thread & basically the way I was taught to ride is also all wrong. Now I'm riding again after about 15 years out - in a place with no riding instructors!
Hm, anyone know of any websites that instruct how to ride properly?!? :/
(mind you, the horses here aren't trained with the same finess as "horsey" countries so not sure how much difference it will make...are they naturally inclined to respond better to certain rider postures etc?)

 

[Pearlsasinger]

My lovely instructor says she feels ashamed that she used to teach like we were all taught, its only in the last few years that she has changed through attending training and conferences on horse and rider biomechanics

I don't understand this and many other coments. Fifty years ago I was taught to ride by a couple who ran a fairly run of the mill rs. They also hunted and showed and taught at PC. I was taught to ride along classical Monday, always riding from the seat and legs, in fa ct my fault has always been washing line reins. Most of the other local schools taught in a similar manner.
What went wrong in the meantime?


Eta Monday? Should say lines - stoopid tablet!

 

[TigerTail]

Riding with shorter stirrups does not give you a more stable lower leg!!! If it did all dressage riders would ride like jockeys!
A longer stirrup lowers your centre of gravity, gives you more contact with the horse so more warning of movement and doesn't give you a spring board pair of knees to ping off from.

I too wish I knew then what I know now but that's life!

 

[madmav]

The old ways were not so great. The new ways are much better. I rode as a child, teenager, no problem, except I fell off quite a lot. Came back into it, much later. Then a very many lessons, instructors, shared horses. All quite all right. But didn't progress. Until I found someone who does it at a high level and is intelligent enough to explain what to do. She transformed my riding. Finding the right instructor is the key.

 

[Elbie]

You look more relaxed and confident with a much better seat and position in the "after" pic. Interesting thread, Thank You.

Thanks!

 

[Kaylum]

As well as being taught properly its about how fit a person is. You cannot teach an unfit person how to ride properly. It's about getting yourself fit before you even consider riding. Core muscles are used and if they aren't strong enough to help the rest of your body your not helping yourself or your horse and you will never get the best out of a lesson.

 

[Elbie]

That statement seems odd, when hacking out on a sharp horse, I would lengthen my stirrups, and I got so used to this, my instructor had to tell me I was riding too long!

If I was going to do faster work or wanted to be preparred for any hijinx then I would shorten a little bit, same as I would if I was going to jump. I'm not entirely 100% confident riding out with longer stirrups just yet so prefer to ride longer (or now my usual length!) in the school and will just shorten a bit for hacking. One day I'll be brave enough to not change them!

 

[poops]

Thank you for this thread! I had some lessons a few years back. I booked them thinking I was just having "refresher lessons" to realise that I knew nothing. Felt embarrassed and very stupid, rather than improving my riding, it really knocked my confidence. Wish I had been taught the modern way as a child!

 

[TrasaM]

Bloomin 'Eck. I've just read this thread & basically the way I was taught to ride is also all wrong. Now I'm riding again after about 15 years out - in a place with no riding instructors!
Hm, anyone know of any websites that instruct how to ride properly?!? :/
(mind you, the horses here aren't trained with the same finess as "horsey" countries so not sure how much difference it will make...are they naturally inclined to respond better to certain rider postures etc?)

I used the Sue Morris website a lot when I first started riding. I really like how she explains things.. http://www.classicaldressage.co.uk

 

[TrasaM]

If I was going to do faster work or wanted to be preparred for any hijinx then I would shorten a little bit, same as I would if I was going to jump. I'm not entirely 100% confident riding out with longer stirrups just yet so prefer to ride longer (or now my usual length!) in the school and will just shorten a bit for hacking. One day I'll be brave enough to not change them!

Well done.. You look much more relaxed now and you don't seem to be arching your back. Really pleased it's going well for you. It's nice when it works

 

[siennamum]

The old ways were not so great. The new ways are much better. I rode as a child, teenager, no problem, except I fell off quite a lot. Came back into it, much later. Then a very many lessons, instructors, shared horses. All quite all right. But didn't progress. Until I found someone who does it at a high level and is intelligent enough to explain what to do. She transformed my riding. Finding the right instructor is the key.

I think people should be aware that the 'old ways' did not include riding in the way people are describing here. There were some odd theories about, but if you look at any old text book, the basics of good riding are the same. I thank the lord for my old trainers who instilled in me the basics of a correct position and seat. I think a big problem is that lots of people are trying to get a horse to work in an outline - incorrectly. At least in the bad old days we were less concerned with outline and so there weren't loads of horses being hauled around with their chins on their chests like you see now.

The secret as you say is to find a good instructor.

 

[Sussexbythesea]

Riding with shorter stirrups does not give you a more stable lower leg!!! If it did all dressage riders would ride like jockeys!
A longer stirrup lowers your centre of gravity, gives you more contact with the horse so more warning of movement and doesn't give you a spring board pair of knees to ping off from.

I too wish I knew then what I know now but that's life!

I think eventers and hunters would disagree.

 

[JillA]

I think it may be time to start a thread telling people who are the instructors we recommend? I have spent a fortune on instructors who honestly think they are good, they are affiliated to one school or another, but leave much to be desired. Like the one who was trying to get me to get my horse in self carriage by forcing an outline then dropping the contact, or the other one who bullied me into dragging my horse around without giving him time to learn. I want to know who are the ones worth investing in, because I too am a victim of "the good old days"!

 

[Exploding Chestnuts]

Riding with shorter stirrups does not give you a more stable lower leg!!! If it did all dressage riders would ride like jockeys!
A longer stirrup lowers your centre of gravity, gives you more contact with the horse so more warning of movement and doesn't give you a spring board pair of knees to ping off from.

I too wish I knew then what I know now but that's life!

When I rode out [racehorses] we used to say......... "the longer you ride the longer you live" .......... and we rode some sharp horses!
I can usually tell who will be jet propelled soonest by the way they ride: after a day's hunting your seat should be deeper.
I had to tell a well known eventer [not well known to me at the time!] to lengthen her stirrups at the trot and shorten them at the canter .......... this caused great hilarity in the yard at the time, but she did go on to win Badminton, so it did not do her any harm!

 

[be positive]

When I rode out [racehorses] we used to say......... the longer you ride the longer you live .......... and they were professionals!

It's all relative though, a jockey even riding long will not have stirrups the length of a dressage rider, if starting from a long dressage length most riders will hitch up a few holes to go hacking especially if going out to canter or do hill work, it is better for the horses back to be able to get forward and out of the saddle at times. Having stirrups too long so you are having to reach for them combined with a sharp horse can be more of a problem than having them a hole too short and more weight in your heels.