Private verses group lessons - what is your preference?

[kiwigirl]

I am a private lesson girl. I find in groups that sometimes I end up following a horse therefore don't have to put much effort into keeping my horse going. Also it can be frustrating when the horse in front suddenly stops , slows - especially when doing transitions and you haven't quite reached the point where you want to give the transition and slow!

Its funny when I first started riding I preferred groups as I think I could hide behind others or if I was struggling then my horse would keep going folllowing!

The other comment I would make about group lessons is that sometimes you get pushed a bit more if there are more advanced riders.

[gone24now]

Definitely private. I find that I learn a lot more in a one hour private, that several group lessons. Also, the RI can focus on what you and only you need to focus or work on. In a group the lesson can often be a bit generic and may not touch so much on your individual strengths and weaknesses. Also, I don't need to have other people and horses around to distract either me or my gelding from the lesson. I find it so much more laid back, open in any direction that it may lead me, and I'm better able to connect with my horse and the instructor. My son on the other hand is in group lessons, he's young and I wanted him to be in with a group of kids so it can be educational, but also social and fun!

[horse_crazy]

private all the way. all though I do like to have a group lesson every once and a wile cause it's fun!

[Joyscarer]

I am very self concious and self doubting. I don't like the pressure I put on myself when riding in company.

So it's private all the way for me. I'm more relaxed and I get all attention on me so I find that I progress more quickly. For me with lessons it's about quality time in the saddle rather than quantity of time :)

[Mistertron]

I have never had group lessons and i thought that when i had mastered the basics i would look to join a group because you ride for longer and its cheaper. However i think i will stick to privates now as you get the focus on you and as Joyscarer mentioned i think i would be self conscience in a group.

[**KEZZIE**]

Both!
In private lessons i find the intensive individual focus combined with tuition closely taylored to my particular needs is very benificial. It provides a chance to work on particular issues in detail.

However, in group lessons i've found the lack of such intensive attention combined with the fact that the horse looks after itself a bit more (by mostly following the others) gives me more time to relax and to focus on some of the basics, such as position.

In addition, watching some riders can be inspirational ( I'm going to try to do it like that...) while watching others can sometimes make me feel better about my own mistakes and bad habits! Group lessons also really test ability to control (or lack of it) - can i get the pony to canter, trot and then canter again when all it wants to do is speed straight round and join the back of the ride! (The answer to this one is, err...no... :o)

And group lessons can be great fun! I suppose it really depends on the instructor, some group lessons are so unimaginative, with bored intructors, bored horses and bored riders learning nothing.

I'm lucky enough to be able to have both individual and group lessons and i'm finding they complement each other beautifully. :)

[Iron Maiden]

I always had group lessons before I became a horse owner. I found I learned as much watching other people as I did being taught myself, there was also a good camraderie - if one person in the group managed something it inspired us all to have a go. Since I've had a horse I've preferred individual lessons, but that's because I can practice the things I've learned in between lessons so I like to really pick my instructors brains & get my money's worth!

[Rhapsody]

Personally I prefer private lessons although I am sure it can help to have group lessons aswell.

[Crazyhorse]

I prefer privates and think that on the whole they provide better value for money. They stop little errors creeping in to your position, which may be missed in a group environment, and you get the chance to have the lesson tailored to your needs/the needs of the horse. I also believe they make you think a lot more, as there is no bum in front to stop you, so you know in a private it is your aids that dictate the gait and pace. A group lesson every now and then does help to learn to ride properly in company, though.

[Shootingstar]

I go to the Riding school to learn to ride, and I always find I learn more in private lessons. I also find that I get to ride a more diverse range of horses, as in groups instructors often stick to 'old faithfulls' to ensure that the lesson isn't held up by a young, green pony that's playing up.

[LindaAd]

It's interesting that everyone assumes group lessons means you just follow the horse in front and stop when it stops ... In my RS, no-one follows anyone; the ride is split so that if the person in front goes on the right rein you go on the left, and people are expected to overtake the slower ones and to pass each other, left shoulder to left shoulder, when necessary. Also we do a lot of individual work, all change the rein across the school, or ride a circles where you are for example - it's a big outdoor school, with lots of jumps scattered around. Also we do a lot individually - a person will do a round of jumps or part of a dressage test alone while the others watch. This does mean it's not as strenous as a private lesson, because you aren't actually riding every minute, but you do learn a lot from watching the others and from seeing how the horses go for other people It works because there aren't usually more than three or four people in a lesson, and sometimes the others are the yard helpers, riding young or problem horses - they're even more interesting to watch.

It's different if you've got your own horse, though; I always used to have private lessons then, although I always went to group lessons if the riding club or someone offered them.

[Bay Mare]

Private for learning, group for social.

Even when I've been in a group working in open order I still think that I get better value for money out of a private.

[vimto92]

I think how the lessons are really depend on your RS.

For instance I've had some private lessons and didn't learn too much to be honest... maybe because it was an assessment to see which group I was to be placed in though....

I currently ride in a group lesson, I really enjoy it and I think its great watching others ride etc. For some parts of the lesson we do work as a ride such as warm up etc but its not all "following the horse in front". We work on some more advanced stuff and are now focusing on the horses way of going, we each do the exercise one at a time, and it works fine for all of us to be honest.:)

When I get my own horse, yes.. when, Im definately having one! No doubt about that!;):D I will probably have both group and private as I think I benefit from both,:)

[tiger28]

hi kiwigirl
i have only ever had private lessons--although i think a group lesson or two would probably get me over my fear of other horses in the ring with me. for the first time, at yesterdays lesson another rider came in and was sharing the ring with me and i was so nervous that she would crash into me, or cause my horse to spook that it was hard for me to concentrate. but it was kind of neat being able to watch someone else riding

[Kathryn128]

private lesson if you really want to learn lots, and get better value for money

group lesson to learn how to behave around other horses and riders (the whole passing left to left thing TOTALLY threw me when I first had a group lesson) and for the social aspects

I have such a thing against group lessons these days, having come across a riding school where 20 odd horses, of all levels, would be in a 20x60 school at once :eek:, and standing around waiting to jump instead of actually jumping

xx

[loopyh]

I totally agree with Kezzie. I like the one to one sometimes if I want to work on something specific but then I like my group (especially now I've ridden with the same group for a few weeks) because its not as intense and we have a bit of laugh. It also makes me feel better knowing other people make the same mistakes as me.

[molly1973jade]

I do enjoy both and both have their drawbacks .

Private. I learn more, more chance to have a canter and one to one tuition

Group. I have made some good friends and can have a laugh with other girls in my class