Bad lesson

[marchhare2006]

I know everyone has bad lessons from time to time but I'm really beginning to despair. I've had two fairly good hour long private lessons at my local riding school and the last lesson, I thought that we were really getting somewhere. I have always had a problem tensing up in canter, resulting in a complete inability to keep a horse going if it has a penchant for stopping as my shoulders tense, my legs grip on for dear life and I become completely ineffectual. Basically, last week my instructor took away my reins and made me canter round the arena concentrating on relaxing my shoulders - success, without reins, I loosen up my upper body.

So, today I had a half hour lesson booked as that was the only slot available, but I didn't have the same teacher and ended up on a pony that I couldn't even get to trot. It was humiliating. The instructor, never having seen me ride before,assumed that I was practically a beginner - after all there I was pony club kicking for all my worth and whacking the poor pony with a whip, only for it to amble about the school. To make it worse, all the kids and teenagers were out watching. Great. In the end I got the pony to trot and we tried canter. I had already warned the instructor this was my problem area but of course, since I'm stiff in canter, as soon as I got the transition, the pony stopped, because I tend to fix my hands, so I didn't get to work on it much before the half hour was up.

I feel a failure - the fact is I've been riding for 20 years and I look like I've been riding 6 months. I just don't know how to improve when I get a different instructor each time and have no continuity in my lessons.

In fact, 6 months ago I had a lesson at the same school and was told I should be in the 'improving canter' group class and this time, apparently I'd been put down at the 'improving trot' level judged on my last lesson. So basically, I'm getting worse.

Sorry for the rant

[*toHorse&Away*]

Rant away
I know exactly how you feel and it sounds as though we have similar issues although you obviously have more experience.
Its frustrating and its a confidence bashere.
When I look back on my riding diary to 2 years back (just over) when I restarted I could swear I was doing better then than I am now. I work ten times harder than the horses and end up so knackered I can't keep a canter for more than half the school. Its dispiriting.
OMG! I just realised I am joining you in a rant.
What I mean to say was its a slough of despondency. Its not permanent and you will have good days again. I am where you are at the mo, but then I get a good lesson on my favourite horse and I start to feel like I can ride.
Consistency of instructor can be important, but it should not be thebe all, these people have loads of experience and can suss a rider out very quickly. It sounds like your point was not getting across.
Keep trying.
Chin up asnd all that :)

[marchhare2006]

I know you're right and it takes good days and bad days. I suppose today was so frustrating as I knew I only had a half hour lesson which is so short and I was looking forward to really working on my canter issues but all I ended up doing was booting a horse in the ribs in an effort to get it to trot which really wasn't doing anything for my position or technique. It's so hard because I know when I was 14 (16 years ago, I may add) I could do all the things I want to now - jump, leg yield, turn on the forehand, cantering without stirrups - and was always complimented on my riding - whereas now I am embarrassed to admit that I have been riding since a child. The problem is that I sort of stopped having lessons at age 15 and became a 'happy hacker' and then joined my riding club at work which does a group lesson once a week but doesn't really iron out any bad habits. So when I have a proper lesson I feel useless and I know I look useless too. I dread the question, 'so, how much riding have you done?' cos what do I say? I tend to fall back on the 'I'm very rusty' line a lot!!!!!

[laura jeanne]

I know what you are feeling, believe me. Is there any possibility of you going out on a hack? If not with your current riding school, then someplace else? Even if you just do the whole thing at walk, it will be beneficial since you will be more relaxed and get some confidence about your riding. (plus it will be fun)

One problem I have is that if I am practicing something in my lesson (sitting trot last night), as soon as I am doing it fairly well, my RI will say okay, now do the same thing with some circles or figure 8s. So of course this throws me off completely since I am now thinking about too many things at once and the sitting trot part gets worse.

If you want more consistency, just don't book a lesson unless you get the RI and horse you want. A difficult horse doesn't help either I guess.

[marchhare2006]

I'm fine on hacks. It's just lessons I can't do!!!

[marchhare2006]

It's not really an option not to book a lesson unless I get the instructor I want. I had to wait 6 months even to get into a private lesson slot they are so booked up so it's sort of a question of getting what you're given. Sigh

[KateWooten]

It's not lessons you can't do ... it's lessons with no consistency, without a well-thought-out-plan from your instructor where it's obvious to both you and the instructor where you are on your journey. Nobody can learn most effectively by being passed from one instructor to another, never knowing what horse you're going to ride. It's not you !

Ok, that doesn't help solve the problem, but if you can see it in context, what's actually happening, you can perhaps not be so down on yourself ?

For me, I really started to learn to ride when I bought my own horse. Because it's not about the rider. It's about the horse. You are an effective rider when your horse is going well.... and part of that is a longer term thing than just what's happening here and now in this lesson. Part of it is the long term view, the program, the progression.

Perhpas it is time for you to move on to sharing / loaning / owning ?

[marchhare2006]

Thanks Kate, it's nice to think that maybe I might not be as useless as I seem. I do seem better on more forward going horses. I just seem to go to pot on riding school ponies that don't want to move! I know I should be able to ride them too though!

As to a share, well, I did try a shared horse in January. She was lovely - 15 hh 20 year old Arab who was as placid as a lamb but very much off the leg. Again, we didn't get on so well in canter - she did the arab trick of shoving her head in the air and hollowing her back - but we were doing fine in trot and jumping little jumps even. The thing is, she was based an hour's drive from my house in London and it was just too much to do the 2 hour round trip 3 times a week, so after the trial period, I decided not to keep her as a share. It was such a shame as she's ideal.

This is the problem for me generally. I live in West London and most people offering share horses are at least an hour's drive away. It's really too far to commit to getting to 3 times a week.

[Lou-lou]

Hi - just to say, I used to be at a riding school like that - I think it's a particular issue around London where they get so ridiculously busy. It's very difficult to learn consistently if you aren't being taught consistently - don't beat yourself up. My solution was to move out of London but maybe that's a bit drastic! Good luck - it will get better. I'm just coming out of my own despondent tensing up in canter for no good reason spell. It's weird how we regress sometimes - I've been extra rubbish all through winter. I swear that has something to do with it!

[marchhare2006]

Thanks Lou Lou. I'm glad it's not just me! And you've all cheered me up no end with your reassurance.

[Mistertron]

Hi there - sorry to hear about your bad lesson. I had a similar lesson once i was suppposed to be trying canter for the first time but couldnt even get the RS horse to trot! very fustrusting - but happens to us all :) . What i actually wanted to post about was having a different instructor - at my RS you never know who you are going to be with and i have had about 6 different instructors, however i think this helps as they all have their own methods and work in different ways and i think this helps.

[marchhare2006]

But don't you find that it's difficult working on specific problems that way? I started having private lessons to target my problems but some of the instructors seem to just have basic lesson patterns that they go through because they don't know you as a rider or what you were working on last week.

[Mina]

Hi Marchhare,

Are you able to ride the same horse for a few lessons, even if you can't have the same teacher? I often tense up terribly in canter in lessons (fine on hacks !) but I've found that it does improve after two or three lessons on the same horse.

I'm only able to ride once a week, and it helps to have that consistency to work on 'feel' on a particular horse for a few lessons in a row; the first week is usually rather iffy, but over the following couple of lessons I generally see an improvement. Having said that, it always seems like starting again when I then try a different horse!

I always find that my worst tensing is when riding the more 'reluctant' horses as I tighten up trying to get them to move, and then it's all downhill from there! My current 'mission' is to keep relaxed whilst using more leg, but the results are still a bit variable :rolleyes: .

I'm sure that you are improving and you are nowhere near as bad as you think! Teachers can sometimes seem quick to judge, and for all those things which you don't feel you're doing well I'm sure there are just as many that you're doing right; they just haven't thought to tell you! :)

Oh, and I second Lou-lou re riding in London; I too know how difficult it can be (not to mention expensive), but there are lovely places outside London. If you do have a car maybe you could treat yourself to the odd individual lesson elsewhere?

[marchhare2006]

Thanks Mina. Yes, maybe I could try the odd lesson outside London. I might try and aim for a once a month somewhere else.

[Mina]

Hopefully you'll find that a couple of relaxed individual lessons somewhere will help no end. If you did all that riding before then I'm sure it's all 'in there somewhere', and you just need a chance to rediscover it :) . Good luck, and keep us posted!

[sophie33]

I do sympathise. I started learning (from scratch) in a London riding school and felt like I spent years getting nowhere. I never got the hang of canter! I am luckier though being fairly near the Eastern edge of London. I am now sharing a pony that is 30-40 mins drive from me. Has its own problems (my nerves, his youth) but I am learning faster and my RI builds lessons round me and spike - not just following a routine. Sorry this doesn't help you does it (except to say it definitely isn't you but the lessons)?
Anyway the treat outside of London sounds like a good plan. I am actually going away on a four day intensive course next week! Bit of a life times dream. Maybe you could save up for something like that?

[marchhare2006]

Further to this - can anyone recommend a good riding school who will take people for constructive occasional individual lessons not too far outside London? I'm in West London so leaving the city on the M4 or North Circular are the quickest ways out.

Also, Sophie33, where are you having your intensive course? I've been thinking about doing something like that for a while but a recommendation would be good!

[Trilogy]

Very interested in this too! I also ride in west London and while I am enjoying my lessons (although we also have that unmotivatable pony to deal with!) I would love to do some hacking or other type lessons as well.

What is it then about London and having trouble with the canter I wonder? :confused: Maybe as hacking is at a premium we can't just canter for fun - it is always a lesson and therefore critiqued?

[marchhare2006]

Well, I don't have a problem with cantering out on hacks cos I spend most of these canters in 2 point. Also, the horse doesn't need much persuading to go faster! I actually think it was too much hacking without lessons over the years that has led to my poor 'upright' canter. I think I can ride cos I can gallop over a field, but put me in an enclosed arena and I go to pot!

[marchhare2006]

Trilogy, I wonder if we ride at the same place?

[sophie33]

Hi,
My intensive course is at Murthwaite Green in Cumbria. I've picked it because a) the scenery looks beautiful and i get to gallop on the beach as well as have lessons and b) lots of recommendations from people on here, including others who are a bit nervous sometimes (like me!). I'll report when I get back on here but I have a feeling it might not be the best for a more advanced rider - I doubt the horses can do many advanced dressage moves for example - :p but for me it looked perfect! Don't think I can help on the riding school. I went down to Surrey to meet Faerie Rider and have a go on Syd the riding simulator the other day. I didn't try the real horses (I think a few people on here ride there though) but it struck me as a very well run riding school and the RI was excellent. However, Surrey is probably too far out for you even for a one off.

[marchhare2006]

Don't worry - I'm not a more advanced rider! As I said, I'm having trouble even getting a horse to trot at the moment!

[marchhare2006]

Oooh, Sophie33, Murthwaite Green looks lovely! I've been looking on their website and their courses look great. It's really good that you get to look after your pony and do the stable management as well. I miss all that now I'm an adult and can't hang around my riding stables so easily!

Let me know how you get on cos I'm very tempted!!!

[sophie33]

Will do! It does sound like the sort of riding holiday I used to dream of as a kid doesn't it! I always feel like I'm about 12 as soon as get to a stables :p

[marchhare2006]

I've also been looking at the riding school with the equisimator in Surrey. It's actually only about an hour's drive away and I thought maybe the equisimalator might help my canter issues - tensing up and all that. I think I'm going to give them a ring tomorrow and book a lesson for next month!

[Trilogy]

well if the pony you are talking about is Oscar...maybe we do ride at the same place! ;)

[marchhare2006]

No, her name was Megan.

[marchhare2006]

Yay!!! I've just booked a lesson on the horse simulator at the school in Surrey! They sounded very nice on the phone and I explained my awful canter issues so hopefully they'll help! I'm looking forward to meeting Syd!

[Mistertron]

But don't you find that it's difficult working on specific problems that way? I started having private lessons to target my problems but some of the instructors seem to just have basic lesson patterns that they go through because they don't know you as a rider or what you were working on last week.

Hi there - sorry for the delay in replying!. Yeah i see what you are saying but all my RI's seem very good at judging your level early on in the lesson and i feel i can also say 'i'm having trouble with....' and they can then focus on the problem. Unfortunatley i don't think i can pick my RI and even if i go at the same time each week it depends on who is teaching.

[*toHorse&Away*]

Well, I don't have a problem with cantering out on hacks cos I spend most of these canters in 2 point. Also, the horse doesn't need much persuading to go faster! I actually think it was too much hacking without lessons over the years that has led to my poor 'upright' canter. I think I can ride cos I can gallop over a field, but put me in an enclosed arena and I go to pot!

What you said, and your opening post - thats me too!:p
It can't help but get you down.
The private lesson i had the other night was a real eye opener and the key turned for canter big time - I didn't realise I was too much outsdie leg and not riding the rhythm, no wonder its all over the place, plus was gripping even though not nervous in canter - I had just developed a habit.:(

[marchhare2006]

yep, sounds like me!

[*toHorse&Away*]

Marchhare, are you riding in London?
I used to go hacking at a brilliant school in the Ham bit of Richmond. They had the most beautiful horses and we had some lovely hacks.
I know you are concentrating on your lessons but sometimes its nice to get on a hack and remind yourself how much fun it all is :D
I use the rusty line a lot as I am too :o

[marchhare2006]

Hi Horse&Away,

yes, I ride in London. I think I've seen that school in Richmond and thought about trying hacks there over the summer. They are a bit pricey to go regularly though. But yes, they sound amazing. At the moment I'm trying to find somewhere to go riding regularly and start to improve as I've tried a lot of different places in the London area over the years and never really clicked at any.

[Crazy Mare]

Hi there :)

I just want to let you know that I understand what you're going through.

I'm on top of the world with my riding at the minute because I've just conquered cantering in an enclosed arena - for the second time :rolleyes:

Like so many others have said I've been ok cantering outside on a hack but for some reason in the school, when I've been asking for canter on a corner I was just tensing up.

After months of tears and determination I conquered cantering in the school but then after a fall just before Christmas I started tensing up again!

The past few months I've been getting so depressed about my riding that I came close to just giving up but then 2 weeks ago everything just fell into place and I got my school horse to canter and made a pretty decent transition of it too. And he's a notoriously difficult horse to ride :D:D:D

Learning to ride is a journey and lots of the time it can feel like you're taking one step forward and two steps back but when it all comes together it feels like all the tears and frustration have been worth it.

Best of luck with your riding Xx

[rhsw]

Hi Marchhare,

I am new and have been reading your posts, I am shocked to say the least re different teachers? I only ever have the same one, and we work on my problem areas as and when they come up, and from your talk, being based in london, I agree do try and get some lessons with the same teacher, if you can hack out, etc, you are a good rider to able to do this, I feel its the teachers knocking you down and down, and you are now knocking yourself down, stop it, move riding school and see what happens from there ok. Keep it up, you can ride, :)