Schooling of horses

[Bonniebute]

My 6yr old is being schooled at the moment and I'm finding it difficult to ride now.

Would this affect its behaviour when I'm riding because I'm novice?

The instructor who schools my horse is a fully trained rider with a strong seat and leg.

Do horses know the difference. I only want the horse for hacking and flat work but the schooling it is getting is x-poles and forward going work.

Please help with advice.

[Bay Mare]

What are you finding difficult? Is there anything specific?

Whether you're novice or not it's very easy to block a horse's movement if you're not sitting correctly or are twisting, sinking into one hip etc. A young horse may still be finding his balance so it's important that the rider is as balanced as possible so that they don't hinder them.

Obviously things like an inconsistent or too strong contact are going to affect the horse too, especially a youngster. Older horses who are used to being ridden by novice riders are generally more forgiving of our mistakes.

A horse should be responsive to your leg aids which is what I presume the personal schooling him is doing. Is this what you're finding difficult? Maybe it's not so much the strength in your legs that's causing the problem but their stability?

Are you still having lessons for yourself?

[Bonniebute]

Thanks for your comments. I am still having lessons in flatwork, walk, trot, canter but the instructor prefers straight into trot without first walking round. It seems all the schooling my horse is getting is all forward going stuff and my novice type riding where I was always taught to walk round and let the horse stretch of etc. then into trot. Now when I ride myself it seems the horse feels its GO GO GO or he wont settle. When I try to keep him steady he is spooking forward in anticipation of me asking before I do. He never done this before and Im worried the schooling is a bad idea or is it me.??What do you think???

[horseygirl123]

I'm going through the same thing with tara, she too is 6 and has had very little schooling, I am having her schooled by a professional 3 times a week, she gives me a lesson twice a week and the other day I ride her 'on my own' practicing what she has shown me.

I found it very very helpful to watch what the trainer is doing with your horse, and get her/him to talk you through what she is doing and why and what to do yourself to better the horses balance and also yours.

We are working at the moment on transistions and circles, bending etc. So, now when I ride I am constantly trying to get her to bend and go off on my leg straight away.

You will find that the nice 'laid back' horse you did have turns into a more responsive and willing horse, which is what I have found.

Tara used to take ages to get to canter and would do that running trot thing first, but with less than 2 weeks of schooling and today I rode her, gave a slight squeeze and she was off, which was such a difference and alot easier I might add !!!

Definately if you can, watch what the trainer is doing with your horse, and ask LOTS of questions, then if possible get the trainer to watch you ride, and maybe give you a few lessons

Hope that helped :)

[emlybob]

If you don't mind me asking why are you sending your horse for schooling? If you are a novice type rider and want your horse steadier then maybe it is a bad idea. You want your horse right for you to ride not someone else. And if you are now struggling to ride him then maybe think about not having your instructor schooling him. Try and progress together not have your horse progressing quicker then you can learn to ride the morse forward work.

Yes horses do know the difference between experienced stronger riders and novice riders

[Bonniebute]

Hi folks,

Thankyou so much for your comments. It really helps answer questions my trainer doesnt.

Forward is her word. Asked her today to do some trotting poles and bending round cones but she thinks this is a backward step for my horse. All I want is to add fun and variety into my day and she thinks this will bore him....
What do you think????

[emlybob]

I think it is your horse and you do what YOU want to with her to enjoy riding her. If you do not like the way that she is being schooled or are not happy with her now that she is being schooled then i would stop the schooling work. A lot of the time we forget that OUR horses are there for our own enjoyment and pleasure. If you are not enjoying her at the moment then you need to do something about it. Your mare will tell you if she is bored but sounds to me that without your instructor you still have lots of variety. Stick with it, she is your girl and you do what you think is right for her and YOU

[NoviceNic]

Ditto what Emlybob has put above..

When I first bought Captain it was for safe, sane hacking and a bit of manege work. Nothing fast, just fun riding. My confidence has built up, down and back up again over the last 3 years. Now I am ready for a little more and have got a RI in to help me and school my horse. Maybe this is something you should consider.????

ps.....you are paying your RI's wages thus you are in charge of what needs to be done with your horse. I would only suspect that the RI needs to jump in if you are putting yourself or your horse at risk.;)

[Bonniebute]

I'm glad to see your replies because thats what Ive been hoping for. I think lessons as a partnership would do us both good, me and my horse. I dont mind paying the money but I want to be happy again and feel my horse is too.

Having the horse in constant anticipation to go forward is very strange after what it was like before. As you say I should decide whats what and not my instructor.

I will try extra lessons and less schooling and see if that helps.

What a stressful month this has been..Thanks so muchxxx

[Lexter]

I have a friend with the same problem as yourself. I think that the best thing would be to have lessons on your horse to build up your confidence and know what is going on with your horse. I personally do not see anything wrong with putting poles in and putting cones in and using it as a fun time to play with your horse but practicing transitions and turning at the same time. This gets the horse listening to you. Some people unfortunately like "forward going" horses and some people do not. I am one of the ones who prefer life at a slower pace and not at break neck speed. I am also getting my boy schooled at the minute but after 8th June will be doing the work with him myself as at least I know what he is doing. The only thing I would really like my RI to do is take him out for a hack to desensitise him but she has not donee that yet! Best of luck X

[chunky monkey]

I think it should be you on the horse most of the time, its your horse and you should be in harmony with him. Maybe your RI is being too forward. It's nice for the horse to have some schooling, and for someone else to ride him on occassions but if your not ready for a faster pace then why do it. You put yourself at risk.
If your trainer isn't answering your questions then I would question whether they are the right person for you. You want someone to help you to improve, although you need to move on it should be at your speed with a little bit of force. If they don't force you then you will never improve. The RI should be telling you where you are going wrong and what you should be doing to correct problems. Don't be frightened to ask questions if you don't understand the advice. Thats what you are paying them for.
If the horse is only using 2nd, 3rd and 4th gear, and never uses 1st for a novice its an accident waiting to happen.