What to do? - Lesson advice please!

[lcs]

I've just heard that my RI is going to be unable to teach for a while early in the new year. It's really disappointing but unavoidable. They're off on a course, and although they aren't going to be there for long (probably about 6-8 weeks) and will be coming back to teach, I'm going to be a bit stuck for lessons. There is no one else at the yard who will teach, and I'm not yet allowed out to hack on my own so I'm basically not going to be riding for about 2 months.
I'm a bit concerned as I've only been riding since about the middle of October (after a long break) so I'm still quite 'novicey'. I'm worried that I'm going to regress whilst I'm not having lessons and just need your advice/thoughts on the matter. Am I best to try and book in with a riding school to have lessons for 2 months elsewhere, or do you think I will be alright if I don't ride for the 2 months? Has anyone else had periods like this? Did you find it difficult after the gap to get back into the swing of things again, or am I just making a mountain out of a molehill?

[Back2Black]

Have you considered maybe having some lessons at another yard? I am sure it wouldn't push you back but you will probably miss it :)

[Skib]

Is this yard a livery yard or a riding school that has only one teacher?

If one is ill or gets injured one may well find one has to take a 6 weeks break from riding and it isnt the end of the world. I had to take a break early on after breaking my ankle out hiking.
BUT this is different. You are having a break forced on you and your post doesnt make it clear why?
What is your tie to this particular teacher?
And her particular horse?

If a good teacher is unable to find a cover to subsittute for her while she is away, I would recommend finding another school and taking a weekly lesson there.

Apart from anything else, a change of horse and teacher can often be a good thing for anyone - broadening your knowledge both of horses and riding. As my RI says, one can almost always learn something from anyone new.
That doesnt mean you have to ride that way for the rest of your life - But since you've only been riding such a short time, I would find lessons somewhere else for a time, and then reconsider?

[Gruntfuttock]

This is one time i would say just bite the bullet, accept that your usual RI will be away and either find another school to take lessons for a bit, or find somewhere simply to hack while your instructor is away. You may actually find it helpful to have a break from lessons and schooling, and can use the hacking time to focus on your position, the movement of the horse under you, etc - all things that are hard to do in a lesson situation.

You might even be able to ride in "normal" clothes !:D

[Nazdaq]

I had a break of about 3 months last summer and I didn't regress in my riding at all, stayed exactly the same. Hope that helps. :D

[lcs]

Skib - I've pm'd you to explain my situation a bit further!

B2B - I think you could be right, I hadn't really factored in how much I'm going to miss riding (a lot, even though it hasn't been long since I started again!) I'm going to have a look at some schools near me - the one that is nearest is Mudchute...has anyone heard of that?

Gruntfuttock - Hacking sounds like a nice idea, but where in London does hacking? And yes, I think I'll have to invest in some normal clothes!

Nazdaq - Interesting what you say about staying the same, how long had you been riding for prior to your break? I'm worried about my body too, everytime I come back after riding I always have to have long hot radox soak in the bath; I'd probably be so stiff after not riding that I'd have to be in the bath for a week!

It's a little way off yet, so I suppose I will be further along in riding/hours in the saddle etc...might investigate hacking/trekking places outside of London as possible things to do at the weekend with the OH!

[Gruntfuttock]

B2B - I think you could be right, I hadn't really factored in how much I'm going to miss riding (a lot, even though it hasn't been long since I started again!) I'm going to have a look at some schools near me - the one that is nearest is Mudchute...has anyone heard of that?

Mudchute? Holy cow that IS a trek. I'm frightened of East London :) You could always amble north of the park for a change and try either Ross Nye or Hyde Park Stables? They are not cheap, either of them, but for some reason, a hack in Hyde Park appeals much more than a lesson on the Isle of Dogs....just can call me Mrs Snobby-Pants !

[lcs]

Mudchute? Holy cow that IS a trek. I'm frightened of East London

Well some of us have the misfortune to live there! :rolleyes: So I didn't think Mudchute was too far away, and has the advantage of being a tube ride away (in sensible clothes!)..The place where I currently ride lets me hack in Hyde Park - it just depends on what RI thinks the horse should do as to whether I hack or work in the school! Must say, there is nothing like having abuse shouted at you by a Polish roller-skater at 7am in the morning! :eek: So what if there is horse poo on the road, this is a Royal Park and what I pay tax for surely? :p
Sorry, got sidetracked, I had a look on the good old web, does anyone know anything about Westway stables?