Riding instructors - opinions please

[Tayto]

So.... I have been riding for 3 years (not very long, I know). I have always had the same instructor and when I bought my own horse 6 months ago, I continued to use my riding instructor for lesssons as my horse is quite green in the school and as a novice I wanted to ensure I was teaching her correctly so she will make a nice allrounder.

Anyways - in the lessons I was feeling like we were always working very much on my hands and legs controlling the horse. There was never any mention of using my seat - infact, the whole time I have been learning with her, we have never worked on my seat.

I heard from a few girls on the yard that there was a good riding instructor comes on a weekly basis. She has over 40 years experience, she is a british dressage registered trainer and she trained for 15 years at The Scottish Classical Dressage Centre.

Now, as a novice rider, I was worried that she would expect a higher level of rider than I was but booked a lesson anyways. We had her lesson last night and I explained that I was concerned that I was only using my legs and hands and really wanted to work on using my seat and training my horse "correctly". We started the lesson and within 5 minutes she picked up that I definately was not using my seat to influence the horse and was relying on my hands far too much. I was also sitting crooked and leaning to my left side too much.

We worked throughout the lesson and WOW - what a difference in 45 mins. Turns out my horse reacts very well to using my seat correctly but OMG it was hard work!

For 3 years I have been taught - "hands up and together" but the instructor got my working with my hands low and wide. I have been taught to hold a tight contact with my outside rein and use a lighter contact with occasional squeezing with my inside rein. When I did this in the lesson I got told off!

I suspected that my horse was very much on the forehand and and the instructor confirmed this - this is not something my other instructor had ever discussed with me. The new instructor said we could work on this and get her working from behind a lot more.

SO - is this just different teaching styles or is my new instructor teaching me a better way of riding?

As mentioned, I have always had the same instructor so I feel loyal to her but having tried someone else and feeling like I got good results I am considering changing to the new instructor....

What do you guys think?

 

[TigerTail]

The way the rider rides has a huge impact on the horse, and mostly ends up blocking him/her tbh. Classical instructors do tend to look at a bigger picture and work on ur seat so theres no need to be kicking + pulling (the lovely bhs way of riding!)

Hands wide would to me be for a purpose and I would expect your hands to be returning to neutral once the horse can respond to a milder aid, but you have o start of somewhere.

Get some vids of urslef if you can its really helpful

 

[Pearlsasinger]

Your new instructor is teaching you a better way of riding, as witnessed by the improvement in your horse's way of going in just 45 mins. Definitely change instructors, you will both improve immensely.

 

[Tayto]

My partner has taken a few vids of me - I was horrified! Haha! I am the first to admit that I have ALOT to learn and I am very willing to take instruction.

It's going to be tough cos what she wanted me to do was against everything I have ever learned! My other instructor is from a local riding school who are very BHS focused....

My horse also must of found it all very hard brain work as she threw a little tantrum - apparently she has "character" which will make things a bit more difficult for me but character isnt a bad thing..... hmmm, last night, I could of being doing with a bit less character haha!

 

[misterjinglejay]

I teach my pupils to use their seat and rely very little on their reins. This is the way my old instructor taught me, after years of riding BHS stylee (not critising, merely another way to achieve the same ends). I feel it works better with the horse, and although my pupils slide to the ground with aching butts afterwards, all the feedback is very positive. Most of them have been taught the bhs way.
Every instructor will teach the way that makes sense to them; every instructor does not suit every pupil -it's often a case of trying a few before settling on one that works for you and your horse.
If your new trainers methods make sense to you, stick with her.

 

[Jingleballs]

I'm going through a similar "revelation" having recently had some lessons with a Classical instructor. The approach is very different to what I've previously been taught. It's done at a much slower pace but with absolute focus on how I ask my horse to do something rather than just telling him what to do.

I find the lessons very challenging as it puts the focus back onto me rather than the horse but my cob responds brilliantly to it whereas he can be resistant to some other methods.

If you and your horse are happy with this new approach and you feel that you are learning and progressing more then stick with it

 

[Goldenstar]

Well I did BHS training and I was definatly trained to train people to use their seats .
OP it sounds like the new trainer will be great for you so go for it feeling is believing .
It's also usually a good sign when you find it hard work riding well is hard work.
Good luck and have fun .

 

[MissTyc]

I am an instructor ... and I also take lessons.

I encourage my students to seek advice from other instructors and I likewise have lessons from both a BE accredited coach and from a very classical dressage rider. The styles are completely different but having access to both sets of eyes has enabled me to pick and choose the things I feel work best for my horses. Lessons should be about discussion as well ...