Professional schooling - how long to get benefit

[hedge1]

I'm thinking of paying to have my horse schooled by the riding instructor at my yard, and just wanted people's thoughts and experience of doing this, particularly in terms of how long is reasonable to see some real benefit. Also, do you think fairly intensive schooling (eg every other day) is more beneficial than once or twice a week?

I'm obviously not expecting a perfectly schooled horse after a few weeks by any means, but was wondering if a period of schooling with a professional really does make that much of a difference. I'll still be continuing with lessons alongside so I get better trained too!

Any thoughts would be appreciated

 

[burtondog]

I've had my new (fairly green) horse on 'schooling' livery for the last 8 weeks since I bought him. It wasn't really the plan but dramas at work plus a longer commute to new yard made it difficult to school/ride regularly myself.

The instuctor is a lovely rider and has been schooling him 2-3 times a week + a lunge and I've mostly been doing roadwork on the other days when I can make it.

Work has now eased up and I'm moving to a closer yard so I'll school him myself from now on.

I can see a distinct improvement even after just 8 weeks so I'm pleased I did it plus now I have more time I can just pick up the ride and he's already reasonably fit.

 

[ajn1610]

Sounds like a good plan! My horse has been for a few holidays with my instructor while I was away on mine, he comes back super charged and sparkly after 2 weeks.

 

[jumpthemoon]

I think it depends on the horse, their current level of schooling and what you want to achieve. I sent my horse away for schooling, initially for a week. He ended up staying for a month, the last week I had leesons on him every day. It cost quite a bit, but it was worth every penny - we are still seeing the benefits from it nearly a year later.

 

[dieseldog]

It does depend on the horse but.....

If my instructor rode my horse for 15 mins at the start of my lesson that would last me about a 2 weeks.

He then went away for 2 weeks to someone else andthe effects lasted me a year.

He was basically well schooled - just that my riding allowed bad habits to creep in that just needed removing periodically

 

[pennyh]

my instructor made a noticeable improvement to my new horse in just 5 schooling sessions she did with him whilst i was on holiday