Just had a shocker of a lesson

[kiwigirl]

Well a lesson not too ride on Sundays - too many people! Unfortunately for me the horse I was meant to ride was sick and as I was the most advanced (I know who would of thought!) I got put on the new RS horse. So intially felt chuffed that they thought I could cope along with saying I would be helping with her training.
Well.... she was a right little **## almost impossible to keep straight along the fence at trot, kept trying to bolt back to the group of horses with beginners on, and when I did get bossy with her would kick her heels in the air:eek: So although not much enjoyable riding I guess it was good to experience a horse really trying it on, although felt a bit down that I was not good enough to really get her responding.
On a positive note Friday I rode a horse I had rode 3 times when I first started and it was brilliant to compare how much I had improved. He was really listening to me through the reins so at times had him on the bit. Did some rising trot without stirrups as my leg was still naff at times (loves to sneak forward!) And I even managed to canter him a few times.
There seem to be alot of ups and downs with horseriding (although more ups:)

[Joyscarer]

You may not have enjoyed you lesson but just think what valuable experience it gave you. ;)

Riding on easy horses isn't that much of a challenge because you mainly just think about your riding rather than how the horse is going.

Riding on something more difficult gives you more to get your teeth into and starts bringing you up towards the next lesson.

In short, well done for coping so well. It's a tribute to your abilities that the RS wanted you above the others to take on that ride :D

[Kate F.]

So although not much enjoyable riding I guess it was good to experience a horse really trying it on, although felt a bit down that I was not good enough to really get her responding.

Just to put it from the horse's point of view - the horse is new, and therefore feels insecure. Horses find security in the herd, therefore she kept trying to get to the other horses. She wasn't "trying it on" - she was doing what her instincts tell her will save her life.

If I were introducing a new horse to a riding school environment, the first students I'd put on would be those who would stay calm if the horse felt insecure, not the ones who would either panic or try to "sort her out". There's a very fine line between being calmy assertive and giving the horse the confidence to perform well, and pushing too hard and appearing aggressive to the horse and making the whole thing worse - as you found when you tried to get bossy!

It was good and important experience - and the instructor may not have given you the horse in the expectation that you would get it going well, but more in the expectation that you would help build her confidence by not panicking yourself. :)

[Mistertron]

Did some rising trot without stirrups as my leg was still naff at times (loves to sneak forward!)


ooh yeah i hear you!! well at least you got experience of riding a different horse who may act more like a loan\share one you may get in the future. I think we get a bit spoilt with the highly trained RS horses and forget that they arent all like that! :)

[eml]

Don't feel shocked ..feel honoured.

Whenever I have a new horse in the school after it is ridden in rides by the staff I select the best riders from the group I want to try it in. Yes it may not be your best ride but possible the first where you knew more than the horse. As you get more experienced you will enjoy that more and more.

[lindiak007]

Well a lesson not too ride on Sundays - too many people! Unfortunately for me the horse I was meant to ride was sick and as I was the most advanced (I know who would of thought!) I got put on the new RS horse. So intially felt chuffed that they thought I could cope along with saying I would be helping with her training.
Well.... she was a right little **## almost impossible to keep straight along the fence at trot, kept trying to bolt back to the group of horses with beginners on, and when I did get bossy with her would kick her heels in the air:eek: So although not much enjoyable riding I guess it was good to experience a horse really trying it on, although felt a bit down that I was not good enough to really get her responding.
On a positive note Friday I rode a horse I had rode 3 times when I first started and it was brilliant to compare how much I had improved. He was really listening to me through the reins so at times had him on the bit. Did some rising trot without stirrups as my leg was still naff at times (loves to sneak forward!) And I even managed to canter him a few times.
There seem to be alot of ups and downs with horseriding (although more ups:)


I know how you feel, because I have those kind of lessons pretty often....The horses try to get away with anything every other minute. It is very flustruating...I nearly cried one time. Of course, my teacher tries to ride them as well, when she sees what they do. The thing is that they kicked her;-(.So, then she decides that we do some training on a trail;-)))that was perfect most of the time afterwards

[lindiak007]

Don't feel shocked ..feel honoured.

Whenever I have a new horse in the school after it is ridden in rides by the staff I select the best riders from the group I want to try it in. Yes it may not be your best ride but possible the first where you knew more than the horse. As you get more experienced you will enjoy that more and more.


so it is looks like my rodeo riding lessons aren't such a bad experience then;-)))