Riding School Riders?

I don't think that they are rubbish like you say but i agree with what someone else said, i had my friend who rides in an rs over to ride with me, we went in the school and i got on with schooling my horse, noticed she is just walking round and round and round, i asked if shes alright and she just explained that she isn't used to this, she's used to having someone in the middle telling her what to do all the time so she really has no idea what to do with the horse. I think this is the biggest difference :)
 
Would edit. On phone so can't. Too exaggerated and basic. Forward transitions only. No understanding of lateral movements or how aids acheive them so steering is just pull rein, no seat or leg involved.
 
I started at a riding school when I was 10 and learnt so much there, I don't think you can tar them all with the same brush, you just have to find a good one. I learnt everything there from the stable management side to riding. I was recently riding back at riding school in the last 2 years while i was saving for my own and certainly didn't plod round on a beginner type horse. A good school has a variety of horses and decent instructors our lessons were varried and were always spent working on getting the horses to work correctly and ensuring we had an effective and correct position. Flat weeks we would be doing anything from leg yields to flying changes we always got the young green horses as they would put them on the advanced classes first.

I've seen many a horse owner over the years who didn't have a clue how to get their horse working correctly or owned a quiet old thing that never put a foot out of place and put either of these types on anything else and they wouldn't have a clue, being a horse owner doens't make you a good rider and i don't buy the whole you don't learn to ride until you buy a horse, my 4 year old is a pleasure to bring on and I have ridden much more difficult and challenging horses in riding schools. A good rider is somebody who can get on any horse and improve the way the horse goes doesn't matter if thats somebody who rides at a riding school or not.
 
shiny-ISH said:
I don't think that they are rubbish like you say but i agree with what someone else said, i had my friend who rides in an rs over to ride with me, we went in the school and i got on with schooling my horse, noticed she is just walking round and round and round, i asked if shes alright and she just explained that she isn't used to this, she's used to having someone in the middle telling her what to do all the time so she really has no idea what to do with the horse. I think this is the biggest difference :)
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I'd say she needs to find a better riding school, when i rode at riding schools we were actively encouraged to work in open order and work the horse in ourselves and then discuss what we felt would help improve the horse and work on it from there with the instructor offering help and support.
 
I think the major difference between RS riders and those who have their own horses is the RESPONSIBILITY. The responsibility for your own horse is constant, daily, present even when you are not with the horse and is certainly not confined to riding.
Even I, who have had multiple horses for years and keep them at home, so am completely responsible for them, do not feel the same responsibility for RS horses, if I go to a RS (which I do periodically). I know that the RI will not expect the horse to do anything of which it is not capable. I have no responsibility for its care/feeding/shoeing/dentistry/
worming etc.
I certainly do not expect any-one to be born knowing how to ride, that is not what I was saying, further up. I think that an excellent RS is a very good place to start riding. The trouble is that excellence is very hard to find. I'm afraid that mediocre, if not downright dangerous, seems to be the norm. My point was that it is relatively easy to spot RS riders from their posts on here, because of the way they talk about the horses, the yard, their riding, which is very different in most cases from the way horse owners discuss things. Most horse- owners talk more about the horses personality than anything else.
 
I think a lot depends on the riding school, as some will only offer very basic instruction, with horses that aren't schooled to a very high standard, then there are others that offer a very high standard of instruction with well schooled horses. I think the main down fall is a lot of places hand over horse ready to go and if your lucky you may get to untack after you've ridden. The best riding school I ever went to, you were expected to groom and tack up before your lesson, and if the horse was still out had to catch it in to, then after the lesson sort the horse out to. They were an old couple who did all the work themselves and were very old school, but all there horses were well school and the instruction was very good. I think it's a shame more riding schools don't do this, as it gives you a chance to be more hands on
 
yes and I think most of us would openly agree that we knew less overall as riders when we were in a RS environment, although it did give me the opportunity to ride lots of different ponies. I spent 14 years as a RS rider.
 
Pearlsasinger: That's a very good point. I am 99.999r% sure that I could put in the time for my own horse, as if I could, I'd be up with Ned during all my spare time, so I was planning to loan him full time for just one month, to see if I could afford it, time and money wise!

The-mad-cat-lady: Yes, I often get upset that my horsey friends get to go places and do what they like, when they like and it gets me down :(
But, at least I get to see ponios, I guess!
 
I just wrote out the biggest essay and then it logged me out and I lost it all! I will now try to remember what I put...

I learnt the basics at a riding school when I was young because my parents (although horsey) felt I would benefit more from starting out somewhere with a qualified instructor who was used to beginners on a suitable pony. It was the perfect start and although I was young I do feel the things I learnt have been extremely beneficial. I then progressed onto my own pony and this is where you really do learn a hell of a lot. What riding schools don't offer is the chance to progress and learn with each other. Generally Riding school horses (although brilliant for their purpose) know pretty much everything they're ever going to know, they know their job and do as they're told (this is generalising somewhat). There isn't the opportunity to learn with your horse and progress together, thus learning how to really really ride. You can learn the basics and a general idea of how to ride at a RS but it really is limited as to what you can get out of a horse, if this is making any sense. I think many riders at a RS hit a brick wall after a few years and feel that the only way to progress onwards is to own/loan, you don't quite know what it's like to ride a horse of your own until you've got one.

I have absolutely nothing against riding schools, they're fantastic for their purpose and teaching riders the basics etc, they're invaluable really for the majority of riders - no matter what people say most riders have started out at a riding school and this is where the fundamental parts of becoming a rider start out. There is a stigma attached and there is a LOT of snobbery, I think people forget how important riding schools actually are to every rider really, and how we all have to start from somewhere no matter who we are. If you enjoy riding at your RS then don't let anyone change that, it's only your opinion that matters really, don't worry about what anyone else thinks!
 
My first riding school when around 10 was mainly just lessons, half hour private and the occasional 1 hour group. Mostly in a school, but a few times we went into the cross country field and I did a couple of jumps. However I did then ask if I could start helping and used to groom some horses before my lesson. Didn't have a lot of time as mum didn't want to hang around and wouldn't leave me there either.
Other schools that followed involved own a pony days when we did mucking out, grooming, riding and hacking. Not really shown a hell of a lot though on the horse management side though.
Then I went mainly hacking at schools in a wide variety of places in the area. Some were pub or picnic rides.
Also spent a day with a reknowned 'horse' lady in the area who has since passed away. Known for her get back to basics techniques with horses and used herbal remedies etc on horses. I was a young teen at the time and enjoyed a hack and some jumping and also led a girl's pony on a hack too.
Went to college later and we had riding lessons as part of the sport's afternoon at another location which was good.
Another riding school used to let you ride out alone in a field with jumps and do pretty much what you wanted to do.
Same school also allowed you to go in pairs to local woods for a hack if you were a competent rider.
Years later as an adult I had a few lessons again and saw that the children helping out at the yard was very much in the same mould as the own a pony days of my younger years, although these were doing more such as filling nets, mucking out and bringing in and turning out ponies.
I would say that I have learned more about day to day care of horses since owning mine which will be 6 years for me this year.
I would also say that my riding has gained experience since having my own as I have been placed in situations in which I have had to deal with alone, such as a napping horse.
Something which I would never have experienced on riding school horses.
I have experienced a bolting horse at a riding school though and also on honeymoon hack when a horse decided to go the wrong way around a puddle at speed on a verge despite leg and hands telling it otherwise and it almost planting me on the windscreen of a car.
Not as idiotic as it sounds. Ride was beside a beach down a track that only led to a landfill/tip site. Idea was a short canter down the grass and then to turn down onto the moorland to ride across. Following the instructor from the yard the horse was supposed to do the same and didn't! A hairy moment and thank gawd for a good seat too.
I think that the grounding of riding and good instructors on a one to one basis has helped. All those exercises I had to do, around the world and so on. Rising trot, with no stirrups. Canter with no reins or stirrups ( but on a lunge) and fast work, jumping with no stirrups as a child has set me up as an adult. Luckily have not had many falls at all and up until 2 years ago had not suffered a fall from a horse for around 9 years. I don't think it is due to riding good horses as they have not always been good. But I believe it is due to the grounding of establishing balance which was drilled into me.
I could imagine that the children of today whose patience is not as much as those of years gone by after being spoiled by video games and computers - rather than games of hide and seek and kiss chase which the likes of children of my generation played, would rather run before they walk. I am not sure of the lengths of instruction on a weekly basis of how quickly children advance in their riding skills these days? Do they still have the same groundings of balance which I received back in the early 80's? Or if they do is it for the same duration. I have very still hands when I ride and have been told by people that my hands are very balanced, I believe this is due to being taught correctly in the first place. I wonder if the same is true of today's lessons, are riders taught the same principles for as long, ie to sit back in seat, sit up straight, not grip with the knees and don't lean on your hands?
Sorry for long post, hope it is on topic lol
 
Vibella said:
I'd say she needs to find a better riding school, when i rode at riding schools we were actively encouraged to work in open order and work the horse in ourselves and then discuss what we felt would help improve the horse and work on it from there with the instructor offering help and support.
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Ditto although I think you out grow riding schools. I went back to riding schools after loaning several ponies and although some of the instructors encouraged the above some did not which when you know better can be very frustrating and I also totally shattered my confidence jumping but that's another story. I think RS are a part of the journey that many riders have but you do reach a plateau when you stop learning and it's time to move on.
 
I wouldn't be so quick to judge rs riders. I spent much of my childhood helping out at a local school riding a huge variety of horse far far more than most horse owners will ride in their lifetime. There were those who would turn up for there lessons ride for an hr and then leave some of them were ok riders but wouldnt know where to start when it came to basic horsemanship however i have also come across lots of people who have their horses on full livery or have grooms who do all the work and they simply turn up and ride the horse!

personally i have been riding for 18years and been a horse owner for less than 2. During my time at the riding school I gained a huge amount of experience having dealt with everything from day to day mucking out and bringing horses in/out to full blown accidents with horses scattered everywhere and people being rushed to hospital. I do not pretend to be an expert but nor will I sit back and be told that i must know nothing because i went to a riding school for 16 years!
 
I rode at a riding school as a child, until I was about 15, an excellent school with a variety of ponies and horses, some who were the competition ponies of the RS owners children. The quality of instruction was good, as was the qualitiy of the equines. The nature of the care of the horses is a good indicator, with good quality english leather tack and good regular farriery being two of the most obvious.
However it is a steep learning curve when you own your own and it is all down to you. It will be you camping in the stable overnight in a case of colic, it will be you mending the fence in a gale, ensuring that forage, bedding, feed, wormers, foot care is all organised round your full time job, which pays for all the above. There are many hidden time users which you do not know about when you go to an RS
 
rhino said:
I think one of the main factors is the inability of a lot of rs riders to plan and carry out successful schooling/jumping sessions without being 'taught'. The number of times I have seen people aimlessly wandering around the school with only the occasional change of pace or circle or cantering round and round (and round and round) the school over one or two jumps just for the sake of it. Bit of a giveaway :) There have been a number of videos on HHO in recent months where the riders have been far too 'passive' and seem unaware of what to do next or how to 'improve' the horse's way of going.

I don't think this is a skill you can learn easily when you only ride once a week and the horse is ridden by a variety of different riders. You don't get the level of 'feel' as when you have your own horse and ride every day :)
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However, having your own horses all your life doesn't automatically mean you will be able to do this - I know someone who had a pony from when she was 18 months old, is now in her 30's, and has no idea about schooling. She does exactly what you say above. I learned at a riding school, didn't have my own horse until I was 27, yet I can improve my horse's way of going because I have put the effort in to learn - I don't see myself as an infallable and perfect rider like the other girl I mentioned.

ETA - I am no way a brilliant rider either, but starting at a riding school gave me a foundation for progressing my riding when I did get my own horse. When I was at the riding schools, I got to ride all sorts of naughty horses - oh to be young and brave again!!
 
Annielusian said:
Thinking about it...this all reminds me of a similar thing on the arty side of my life...

People often think, unless you have photoshop, or a tablet, you'll never be as skilled as a 'proper' digital artist...well, tell that to my buddy Maquenda! She did this all with that rubbish MSPaint program! http://fanart.lionking.org/Artists/Maquenda/Sarabisarafina10.png
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Oh yes, that's exactly the same. I mean a horse is just like another piece of software, right :cool:
 
fjordhorsefan said:
However, having your own horses all your life doesn't automatically mean you will be able to do this - I know someone who had a pony from when she was 18 months old, is now in her 30's, and has no idea about schooling. She does exactly what you say above. I learned at a riding school, didn't have my own horse until I was 27, yet I can improve my horse's way of going because I have put the effort in to learn - I don't see myself as an infallable and perfect rider like the other girl I mentioned.
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You're quite right! There's some interesting discussion on another thread about this
http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=508028
:)
 
kirsty17 said:
It's more so the temperament of the horse. At a riding school your unlikely to come a cross the naughty or awkward or the youngster. At the time you make think the rs 'bucker' is badly mannered. A rs is never going to have something as naughty which could be a liability.
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Maybe not in Health and Safety climate, but when I learnt to ride in London in a riding school, they had the maddest bunch of horses for the experienced riders, as well as the plods. Really some terrible people hating beasts!

I have had my own horse for only 8 months after having had a youth of helping and riding in schools. Riding schools are all some people can experience (in big cities and due to lack of finances) however passionate they are about horses. And in those circumstances, even at a riding school, a real horse mad child or adult will grab as much experience as they can. And that can be a lot and on loads of different types of horses.

It is different owning your own horse and I have learnt a vast amount. But I wouldn't dismiss all riding school customers quite so swiftly.
 
Pearlsasinger said:
It is usually fairly easy to spot RS riders on here, from their posts.
Which says it all really.

Of course this could just be because of a lack of experience, which can only come from being involved with horses for years and years, in whatever capacity. Most RS riders do not have much experience.
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Wow cool riding school!

xxRachelxx said:
Sounds like a good riding school to me! Although do all riders have to do all that you mentioned or do you do that because you enjoy it?

I have worked in riding schools where the rider has the horse bought to them in the school and then has them taken off them at the end of the ride so they literally know nothing other than the riding aspect. It was lovely when a rider turned up early to help tack up or stayed late to help untack and turnout!
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This was more like the riding school I first learnt at, then I went to help out at a smaller stables/riding school got into the way that it wasn't just tacking up, getting on and doing your thing before passing the horse off to someone else. It would be great if more riding schools were like the first one mentioned!
 
Lolo said:
However, amusingly, from your description I wouldn't class your RS as a good one! At best normal, with the line about hacking turning into a downright dangerous one... And your descriptions of the ponies often leaves me worried!

.
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Must say I agree with this. I was concerned earlier when you posted a picture of "Ned" and hadn't realised how badly overgrown his hooves were, and you hadn't been taught that if he was expected to school, hack (like hunting!), xc and sj, how much pressure was being put on his joints with such badly treated hooves.

I would suggest that you go and look at other RS to see for yourself if your RS is actually as good as you think.
 
I've been riding since I was 9-ish I think, nearly 18 and I'm still not very good! :o I try hard, and I want to learn. I still wobble, I get scared, but I am making (slow) progress, and while focussing on exams right now, am still trying to ride once a month to clear my head and have some fun. I've had the same instructor for a good long time now, we get on fantastically :) She doesn't let me get away with anything, pushes me to achieve and get past my fears, as well as having fun. There's no point doing it if you don't enjoy it!

Have been a 'helper' at the yard for a couple of years now, we catch in, turn out, groom, tack up, muck out, clean tack, sweep the yard, do waters, fill haynets, make feeds - any of the jobs we would be doing if we had our own horses.

I feel like I've been so lucky to find them. They've given me such wonderful opportunities! I got to do a dressage test, and jump a small course of jumps, something I wouldn't normally have the chance to do. Part of the advanced pony week (some may remember my pony week diary posts :D ), we had to turn out ourselves and our horses properly, and compete against eachother. My dressage test was eventful (went fantastically wrong and ended up having it called for me by the yard manager from the car!) but it was the jumping that really was unforgettable for me.

It may seem like such a small thing, but with being so so scared of even the smallest cross poles, I nearly backed out. But all the staff put the jumps down for me, and with no knocked poles (and one fall :o ) I did it! I'm not afraid to say I burst into tears quite horribly when I'd finished :D Everyone at the yard cheering me on, my parent's watching.. It's was the most amazing feeling. And I have my only ever pro pic to prove I did it!

So not all Riding Schools are the same - mine's muddy and busy, but the horses are happy, and so am I :)

Eta: I feel very priveleged to be able to ride and very thankful my parents pay for it :o Dad will even hold a horse for me, while Mum tends to stay hidden in the car :D
 
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Some people on here are downright rude about riding schools and riding school clients. I get very sick of it.

Yes there are some rubbish ones out there, and some dangerous ones too, but there are also fabulous ones.

I was a riding school rider until 10 months ago when I bought my first horse.

I've ridden long term at two riding schools. The first a rough and ready sort of place in the eighties. Then later a "good" riding school, a bhs where to train yard. I have also ridden occasionally at other places, riding schools, trecking centres, places abroad etc.

I have learnt so much over the years. Not everything, I know my limitations, but I don't under estimate what a good riding school can teach you.

It teaches you how to quickly assess a horse and make a plan, how to ride a huge variety of horses, how to ride in a shared arena, etc.

During my time as a riding school client I have been taught by an fbhs, three excellent bhsi, the runner up in the young instructor of the year award and several bhsii and bhsai. I have also been taught by people who have worked for top people like Richard Davidson and Michael Whitaker. The horses have ranged from rough and ready youngsters straight from Ireland or ex-racers to those with serious competition records, including horses needing reschooling.

I could never have gained the same experience as a single horse owner.
 
Kat said:
Some people on here are downright rude about riding schools and riding school clients. I get very sick of it.

Yes there are some rubbish ones out there, and some dangerous ones too, but there are also fabulous ones.

I was a riding school rider until 10 months ago when I bought my first horse.

I've ridden long term at two riding schools. The first a rough and ready sort of place in the eighties. Then later a "good" riding school, a bhs where to train yard. I have also ridden occasionally at other places, riding schools, trecking centres, places abroad etc.

I have learnt so much over the years. Not everything, I know my limitations, but I don't under estimate what a good riding school can teach you.

It teaches you how to quickly assess a horse and make a plan, how to ride a huge variety of horses, how to ride in a shared arena, etc.

During my time as a riding school client I have been taught by an fbhs, three excellent bhsi, the runner up in the young instructor of the year award and several bhsii and bhsai. I have also been taught by people who have worked for top people like Richard Davidson and Michael Whitaker. The horses have ranged from rough and ready youngsters straight from Ireland or ex-racers to those with serious competition records, including horses needing reschooling.

I could never have gained the same experience as a single horse owner.
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This post is perfection :)
 
No one said that all RS are rubbish, just that there is usually a difference between those who have only ridden at an RS and those who have kept their own horses. As for being taught by a variety of people who have worked for famous names, I have had many lessons, both at RS and on my own horses by those who taught some of the 'names' (In our area 40 years ago it was hard not to be!) I still maintain that ones real equine education is what happens after you have the basic building blocks in place from the RS, when you have sole responsibility, this may of course not be the case if you are on a big livery yard where most things are done for you, but never having been on one of these, I wouldn't like to say.
 
I have just realised that I am having a Donald Rumsfeld moment :D People do not realise that they do not know what they do not know, because they don't know that they do not know :D
 
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