The value of a good Instructor

[TicTac]

I have only had my new horse for just over 3 months. She is a dutch warmblood mare. She is beautifull and very well bred but she does have a bit of attitude. She can put in a good buck if put under pressure and can be nappy to hack alone. However I know the reason she can behave like this is because of the treatment she received from her previous owner in the form of a big stick.

To deal with the napping I get my husband to come out with me on his bike and she's fine or I take her out for walks around the lanes in just a headcollar and long rope and she is fine. Not bothered by anything.

I also have lessons on her from a very good Instructor whom I can't praise enough. She is firm but not rough and persistant but not a bully. Today I had a lesson and the horse was being a right Missy cow, throwing everything at us. I had to get off and my instructor then lunged her for about 10 mins and then she got on. After more high jinks at which point I'm thinking I'll take the first offer that comes along, the horse settles and she goes absolutely brilliantly. Soft into the contact, round and forward. My instructor tells me to get back on and the mare is soft and forward for me too.

I have had my doubts about this horse as I have never owned a mare before and she is different but always a sweetie to handle etc. My instructor is encouraging and effective and I have never seen her resort to rough methods in any way. So if you find yourself a good one, look after and treasure them because they can help to turn you and your horses life around.

 

[OakeyT]

I'm in full support of that!

My ex-racing TB has anxiety problems which were getting worse and worse, he was napping at everything when schooling and bolting when out hacking. I took him back to ground work and basic schooling (with my fab instructor) and we recently did our first dressage competition! He still has tantrums but I now have the confidence to deal with them-even when I am alone with him.

Big thanks to my instructor who has turned our lives around.

 

[kizzywiz]

Big thanks from me too to our sj trainer, had completely lost my confidence, pony was nappy, spooky & generally horrid. Now I have improved immensely, my confidence is just growing all the time, & the pony is so much better behaved. We have had a marble fitted which has no doubt helped a lot, but I no longer get on & hold my breath waiting for her to misbehave. Thanks Paul

 

[CorvusCorax]

After each lesson, I hurt everywhere and curse her name for days afterwards.

However my riding has never been better and hell, I'm a lot fitter than I used to be