Thinking about loaning a horse

[Wildthing1784693]

Hello all,

I am looking to part-loan a horse and I am going to view one tomorrow.

I have quite a lot of years of riding experience, and did loan ponies when I was younger, plus will only loan the horse 2-3 days per week. I am confident in looking after a horse.

I have however only ever ridden in lessons, so I am used to someone giving me direction on what to do and how to spend my time in the saddle.

I wondered if anyone would be able to give me an idea of what they do when riding? Any exercises that are good to keep the horse and rider motivated? There is great hacking around the area I live in so I will likely hack once a week, so will need to use my initiative in the school the other two days.

Don't think I quite realized how much I rely on my instructor until I faced the prospect of riding without her! Thank you in advance for any ideas or inspiration

 

[Floxie]

I have a lesson every week or every two weeks - like you I find I really need someone setting me goals and keeping me on track. I also do online dressage competitions to give me a target and things to improve. The 101 Schooling Excercise books are good for ideas, as are the downloadable audio lessons from Sound Schooling.
Best of luck and have fun!

 

[Fides]

Oooo you have yet to experience your first hack on your own - I will never forget that feeling, it's a bit like when you first drive your car after passing your test

As for in the school think of what you want to achieve and plan your ride around it. Plenty of circles, figures of eight, changes of rein, serpentines, spiralling in and out on circles, transitions.

 

[Emmac82]

Hi it is a bit strange riding without an instructor there the first few times. Have a loan 2-3 days to and use at least one day to practise what I learn in lessons. Def helps having extra time to practise and helps you progress to! Hope it works out for you and take full advantage of the good hacking

 

[EmmaC78]

I am always a bit stuck as to what to practice in the school so quite often used to just pick a dressage test to practice even if I wasn't going to a competition. It was good to improve accuracy and transitions rather than just wondeing around the school aimlessly.