just wondered really as i had my first lesson tonight, i used to ride as a child but ive not ridden for over 30 years.
the first school i had booked with were very lax and when i showed up for my lesson tonight they claimed they had tried to phone me to say the instructor hadnt made it in - they had not tried to phone me and i told them that - then they changed their story and the man said he couldnt ring as had locked himself out of the house, and said they would be in touch. Still no call from them, not even an apology.
so at short notice i booked at another school and went for my lesson tonight.
i told them id not ridden for a very very long time and would need to be treated like a total novice.
it was an arena, a very placid horse and i really had a wonderful time, but i just wondered how lessons normally go?
i found i couldnt concentrate on technique because i was trying to keep my horse going, he was lovely and an old hand but in trot he wanted to stop....is it a good idea to learn to control the horse and learn technique at the same time?
im pleased i was let loose to some extent and i think i will learn quickly - alot of it came back to me tonight though i will need tons of practice and im sure alot of this cant be "taught" and has to be learnt on the job as it were.....but i know my balance is awful and though i was told id done really well, it all felt a bit clumsy and i dread to think what i looked like!
how do first lessons normally go?
Discuss horse riding and ownership on our Horse forum.
The tack room
what would you expect from lessons?
ThatVikRinA22 · 30/10/2012 19:29
Well, if you start with that attitude, not a lot will go wrong. 
The only caveat is don't 'overthink' things - go with what feels right (sometimes 'right' will feel strange, but you'll know it's right) rather than the whole 'must have leg here, oh no, it's not right, I can't ride - eek! type thinking (not that I'm guilty of that or anything, oh no).
Long, expensive, but very, very worth it! The best thing is no two days are ever the same, even with the same beastie.
the whole thing felt strange....loose knees but gently 'cuddling' the horses shape with calves....feet....ended up with very achy ankles! but at least now i know how to sit and how my seat should be....problem was as soon as i tried to trot my legs came forward....its going to take some practice to keep the right position....but the point is that at least i know it now - didnt have a clue before!
its going to be slow progress, but i feel like this is progress!
i loved it. slow and steady wins the race as they say! (emphasis on slow!) not bothered how long it takes though....
felt wonderful to be on a horse and learning something.
Awww fantastic Vicar, sounds like she taught you a whole lotta stuff in just one lesson. That's exactly the sort of person you want. Suck up that learning and keep us posted as to how you go .
That sounds brilliant - I'm so pleased you found someone who knows what they're doing!
Marks spot for updates!
Glad you persevered and found somewhere just right. You've prob saved yourself a fortune!
i am really pleased, its all much harder than i realised but im not in any rush, and i want to learn properly, the hardest thing has been finding someone to teach me!
i dont think my ability matches my enthusiasm! not yet anyway!
well - 2nd lesson with my lovely lady tonight....progress being made! i absolutely love my wonderful instructor and the horse she has for me is the most patient lovely beastie - i am trying very hard to work in harmony with my hoss.
managed to get to trot tonight. much better with the reigns too, my lovely horse (meggy) spooked a little in one corner due to the wind but i stayed on ok, and she decided she would rather like a canter, only briefy, but i stayed on then too!
the learning is continuing - i learnt about setting off on the diagonal, and all the while trying hard to concentrate on my feet and leg positions and how the horses position alters during transitions....
i am having the time of my life learning i really am. next week im going to do a bit of grooming and learn to tack up.....
ive also said i would like to volunteer when i am of use.
i absolutely love it. i love being around the horse, learning about the horse, and learning to ride her.
am a happy bunny.
to celebrate?
P.S. - when you do get to the canter lesson - good tip to check you're on the correct lead without looking down is to very slightly loosen your legs and see which one is moving more - if it's the inside one you're correct, and if the outside then drop back to trot for a stride or two to fix it - makes it much easier than dropping your balance/contact when trying to check.
That's great Vicar the more time you spend with horses, the quicker you become in tune with them. Not just the riding part, but the grooming and care is really important too. And yes, the horse does learn to regard you differently when are doing the care.
Happy horsing!
thats perfect actually - 2 years would be perfect for me. Im not in a major rush and i know its a huge commitment.
i am just managing once a week but i look forward to my lesson so much, it makes my week and it gives me something to go to work for (not much joy in my job at the mo)
i know that i will get one, its just a matter of when im ready. i will be led by my instructor.
she has said she wants me to ride different horses but as it stands im on a wonderful patient mare of 14h2.
the next horse she wants me on is 15h 2.
im definitely not going to rush things but its an exciting prospect that one day , maybe just a couple of years down the line, i might have one. it really gives me something to hang on to, and work towards.
thanks for the wise words.
next lesson Friday.
I'm glad someone else is of the same opinion. A lot of people rush in to buying a horse well before they are ready, and then there is the inevitable fall out from that. As Boo said, the standard response for this question is usually 'a couple of years'. And y to 'how long is a piece of string'.
Having said that, there are a number of things that (at least IMHO) any horse rider should aim to have under their belt before they consider horse ownership:
- Can you ride a sensible horse completely on your own, and are you comfortable with the grooming, tacking up, and after care?
- Can you take care of minor injuries to the horse? If the injury is bigger, will you know who to call - instructor, vet or otherwise?
- Do you understand the basic feeding requirements of a horse, and why they are getting certain grains, hay or other types of feed?
- Can you spot lameness if the horse is not quite right? After all, no hoof, no horse.
- Are you able to invest your time and finances into keeping a horse?
I have seen riders buy a horse before they have even got point 1 under their belt, let alone the rest - it never ends well. Above are just a few of the basics, and I am sure there is much more to ponder. Anyway, enjoy you're time in the lessons Vicar, it's great that you have these lovely lessons to look forward to each week.
part of her problem i reckon is that she is not searchable on google - she has no website.
DS is a programmer and im wondering whether to ask if he could rustle her up a site and get her showing up on google searches (he can do stuff like that! he is a clever boy! ) but he is working hard 3rd year at uni and also is worrying his part time boss is gonna get rid of him....
she is truly the best instructor in this area i found, but the others are googleable and she doesnt seem to be....i reckon she popped up on google searches it would help her.
the other schools near here are akin to donkey rides at the seaside compared to her.
she actually teaches something.
i wish i was ready for my own horse, because in her hands i would let her use him/her for schooling, she is so welfare driven and wont tolerate any sort of riding that is bad for the horse (or the rider! she is strict!) if you do something "wrong" she does the equivalent of how it would feel on you - she is brill)
She said today none of her horses are riding school plodders (which is true - you have to ride them properly - they dont do the work for you)
i think if she could get a few more lessons and a livery or two she would be fine but no one knows she is there.
ive waxed lyrical about her on FB but i dont mix with horsey types so not sure how good my advertising is!
dd is coming with me next week.
Don’t want to miss threads like this?
Weekly
Sign up to our weekly round up and get all the best threads sent straight to your inbox!
Log in to update your newsletter preferences.
You've subscribed!
To comment on this thread you need to create a Mumsnet account.