Regular lessons on own horse?

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trundle

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Lis's post reminded me of something one of my friends said recently. She said that since she got her own horse a couple of years back, she'd not had more than about two or three lessons.

Is this the norm? Once you get your own horse, do most people stop having regular weekly lessons or whatever, and work on their own? Or do people still carry on with the weekly/monthly lessons?

I would guess that the main reason for stopping lessons would be cost, first and foremost - if you've got to pay livery as well, lessons are a very expensive extra.
 
I have lessons as and when I can afford them I try to have at least one a month but my instructor has just had a baby so it has been a little difficult to fit in at the moment. I used to have them weekly when I did not pay livery but now I do and with competition fees it gets a bit much,
 
I didn't have regular lessons before i got mine! Before i got Blue and Holly i'd been riding dealers at a dealer yard for 5 years and not had any lessons since before then when i used to go to a riding school so its been umm.... about roughly 10 years since i had regular lessons at the age of 11 or 12!!!
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It does seem to be fairly common unfortunately. I teach at various places and at some there will be 1-2 people who have regular lessons and the rest of the yard (10-15 people) rides on their own. It would be fine if they actually rode well but there are so many bad habits that creep in and many people are not at all bothered to work on improving their riding.

I also teach at a couple riding schools and to be honest some peole there classed as, lets say, Novice Intermediate, ride much better than many horse owners.

I personally don't understand people who, being Novices, buy a horse and then say they have no money for lessons. If they have no money for training/improving and in turn being better for their horses than they shouldn't venture into buying them but continue in riding centres instead.

I have no problem with advanced people not having regular weekly lessons but I can't see how it does them much good.

Riding is a funny sport and the more you know the more you realise how little you know; you learn to ride all your life and even then there are still things you don't know.
 
I have a weekly lesson at my riding school on school horses and I also was having a fortnightly lesson on my own horse until my instructor got ill
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. Hopefully will be able to restart them again soon, but I agree it does work out expensive.
 
i would like to think that if i did get my own horse (perhaps one day it would be Frankie!) that i would still carry on lessons, maybe not every week, but once or twice a month.

even though i have been riding a while what i do on his back affects the horse so i would always want to keep learning, so i can maximise mine and the horses potential! *oohhh big words*
 
Ive had my mare for 6years first three years had regular lessons then she was off for a bout 2 years, had a year of starting things again and now have a lesson once a week.
Turned Grade B to dressgae superstar so cant be bad!
 
I wouldn't buy a horse if I couldn't afford at least 1 lesson a month on it! I just think you end up going round in circles without lessons, and it does you and your horse no end of good to have a decent instructor. Once you are established and working well together I think they are not so neccessary.
 
I try and have a lesson every two weeks in the summer - has done me no end of good as I have gotten much more confident riding my ned. I will continue to have lessons as I get a lot out of them.
 
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I try and have a lesson every two weeks in the summer - has done me no end of good as I have gotten much more confident riding my ned. I will continue to have lessons as I get a lot out of them.

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im the same, when my instructor went away for a few weeks i was like 'noooooooooooo, come back!' even though we had no mishaps when she was away i love my lessons because i think it benefits not only Frankie but me as well, and it has done my confidence the world of good.

*i just need my instructor to come hacking with me, then maybe ill get some confidence out in the big wide world!*
 
Although I've been riding for 30years I am still pretty cr*p and as George is my first horse I definately need lessons! For the first month I had a lesson a week to get me and him started together and now we have one a fortnight, but I can ring my instructor up and ask her advice in between which I often do, I must drive her nuts!
 
It is very common as a lot of people think that once theybe got a horse they can ride and that you dont need lessons.
I have weekly lessons with my horse, and seriously benefit from all of them.
 
Me too! I keep trying but I don't think I'm getting anywhere
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. I've always had fortnightly lessons on my own horses. I don't think anyone should leave me to my own devices as I get very negative and stuck in a rut when on my own
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Lessons give me back some confidence and also I think it's good to have someone who's been there, done that to help give suggestions.

Plus I absolutely LOVE learning. I just want to devour everything an instructor can teach me!!
 
i had quite a few on my old horse as he hadn't done any flatwork and neither had i at the time so we concentrated on the dressage and over a few years got to medium level. On My new boy i have had some lessons when i first got him just to polish me up really and help get us going but haven't had any for a few months now. Last one was XC as that was our next challenge. I think i'd tend to have a few together and then take a break and concentrate on practicing what i've been taught then have a few more and so on. As said when we get to anything new e.g corners then i'll def have some more. I think having one every week is a little OTT since you need time to solidify what you;ve learnt plu it does get v expensive when you've got all those bills as well.!
 
I have a lesson every week mainly as it takes ages to keep getting off and on to do the grids( i am working on a 4 year old) and also i like a view from the ground. Will go to once a fornight though once he starts to compete due to money!

I wish i could have more lessons as i love it, My instructor has really helped me alot. The other thing is i look forward to each week achieving something that she helped me to do as i might not have on my own so quickly. She is good for boosting you.
 
I try & have 2 SJ & 2 dressage lessons per month, v expensive but so worth it, feeling a bit lost this week as SJ trainer is all booked up & dressage trainer in Spain, ho hum!!
 
I have lessons when I have time and can afford it. Recently started with a new instructor who's given me a different perspective on things and getting great results, so trying to do once a week with him. With my usual instructor I probably usually do once every 3 weeks, depending on if i'm working towards something. If I have any problems I have lessons more often. sometimes it's weekly, totally depends on what else I have going on.

But to answer the question, I wouldn't stop having lessons on my own horse. I like to have lessons elsewhere too, recently went up to Talland for one on an advanced schoolmaster and would like to get up there about once every 6 weeks.
 
since having my mare i have only had a hand full of lessons (if you can call them that lol) my friend works at a stables and when she needs help i am off up there and get a ride (normally on a youngster or one that needs schooling). She was also teaching me dressage on one of her horses i have never had a lesson on my own horse which is a bit silly but its cost factor so i might ask her if she will give me a few
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what are friends for????
 
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I have lessons when I have time and can afford it. Recently started with a new instructor who's given me a different perspective on things and getting great results, so trying to do once a week with him. With my usual instructor I probably usually do once every 3 weeks, depending on if i'm working towards something. If I have any problems I have lessons more often. sometimes it's weekly, totally depends on what else I have going on.

But to answer the question, I wouldn't stop having lessons on my own horse. I like to have lessons elsewhere too, recently went up to Talland for one on an advanced schoolmaster and would like to get up there about once every 6 weeks.

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i agree with the last statement, although i have lessons every week on Frankie i like to go up to a riding school - wouldnt call it local, but its about 22 miles away - for jump lessons on another horse and a different instructor. when me and Frankie start jumping i'll probably take him up there once a month if i can afford it.

its just nice to do something different! xx
 
I have one a week (more if I'm working on something difficult). I can't always afford them really, but I consider them an essential expense! I started riding late and want to be as good as I can be, as soon as I can be!
 
I have tried to have lessons regularly but when I went to Boarding school so would only get lessons at home during the summer holidays but I did have lessons at school with my horse.
I am now at uni and only ride when I am home but I do have lessons regularly however I am finding that with the instructor I have at the moment I am not achieving that much and not really progressing. I am now having a break from lessons with her at the moment. I find it hard to get consistant lessons as I am always moving between places due to school or uni.
 
I have a weekly lesson to get my horse schooled more. he is doing fab! In 4 weeks he has gone to being very tense with his head in the air, to calm and relaxed and working in a consistent outline! If thats the improvement in a month, cant wait to see what he will be like 6 months down the line!

The person who is giving me lessons is a qualified BHSI. I used to loan horses from her so she is giving me a discounted rate of £10 for 1/2hr though its more like 45mins by the time weve finished. Most of it is trot so im not sure whos more tired, me or the horse
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Then i have a lesson at my RS where i work at on a sunday (now by the same instructor as old one left, and other 1 is replacement!)
 
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I don't think you can afford not to have lessons on your own horse.

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Was that aimed at me? I've had him so long now that I don't feel I need such regular lessons. When I first bought him I had lessons twice a week on him. Now unfortunately I have other committments, such a house, tax on the company car that is supposedly a "benefit", that swallow up money.

When the new horse comes I will have more regular lessons but my boy is going nicely and more than well enough for the people who are taking him on loan.

I'm sure you didn't mean it that way but that post came across quite rude! It would be lovely to have the money to spend on lessons every week but most of us don't have that luxury.
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I love having lessons on my own horses, it makes it even more special plus if you have a good instructor they aren't just helping you but giving you tips to help the horse too.
 
I feel that regular lessons are very important with your own horse. Since I have been having lessons, Charlie has gone from not being placed at dressage shows, to now being placed nearly every time out. Without lessons we would not have made these improvements to our scores.
 
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