I've come so far, but have soo far to go!

[Ellie Mae]

I just returned home from a tough riding lesson. I have been riding school horses until tonight when I rode a horse that will be offered for sale. The instructor thought we might work out well. He is a 3 year old gelding and had some new experiences for me. Every time I gave him some leg pressure he would toss his head. He was not neck reining at all so I had to pull his head around turns and when we cantored, I could hardly steer him at all. Of course, I got scared and flustered which made him nervous and then I couldn't get him back into the sand of the arena. The instructor told me to get control of him and kick him while pulling his head to the right. EverytimeI kicked him I was afraid he would rear with me. Mostly it was my inexperience because the instructor put her daughter on him and he did fine. But I realize how far I have to go yet. The insructor agreed she probably put me on him too soon. I know so much of riding is mental, because I knew he was young and not a school horse and I let that knowledge intimidate me. I did ride him better after her daughter but I didn't cantor. Its just so frustrating sometimes! Thanks for listening .... I think I just needed to vent!

[virtuallyhorses]

What is it with instructors who put students on green horses?! :eek:

Ellie May, you don't say how long you've been riding but unless you're very experienced I wouldn't even consider getting on a 3 year old (in some cases, getting even near a 3year old) they're just babies at that age (horses aren't mature until around 6 years) and know very little.

The instructor told me to get control of him and kick him while pulling his head to the right. and what sort of instruction is that ?? Having someone kick and pull his head this way or that, is probably not a very promising start for him, unfortunately.

I don't think you should be blaming yourself, or even feeling frustrated at all, but considering the wisdom of your instructor instead.

[Mehitabel]

i completely agree with virtuallyhorses. in england, it's illegal to use horses under 4 on a riding school because they're mentally so immature and likely to give students a bad start, as well as having a bad start themselves.

[quarterhorse11]

agreed!

express your feelings to your instructor! speak up if you are not comfortable on a horse. remember - it is YOUR money. you are there to learn NOT work someone elses GREEN horse!

[Jay.o]

someone said above that you should ride a 3 year old or even go near one.

sorry but i have a 4 year old stallion and he i ride him nearly perfectly well [hes not frisky or anything]. i have been riding him for about 1 month and been riding in total for 2 and half years or a couple months over. he is calm and quiet and even quieter than some of the riding school horses.

all i am saying is not all young horses are frisky and you shouldnt be dead against buying a young horse. they aent all the same.

[Helen_G]

I don't think she was trying to say they were all frisky but they shouldn't be ridden at such a young age as they may not have physically and mentally matured in which case it could lead to more complications later in life.

[cvb]

i thought it was just about use in riding lessons rather than a general comment ?

[KarinUS]

i ride him perfectly
ah, to be young again and not question oneself ('s ability)... ;)

But seriously, Jay, your comment doesn't really 'go' with anything virtuallyhorses has said...

[virtuallyhorses]

Well said Karin!... I've been riding 3 years now, and just had a fabulous lesson where the big bright light finally went off for something I've been struggling with all that time! DOH!!! must be a slow learner not to be perfect by now huh? :D

Just to clarify, my comments regarding the riding of a 3 year old were certainly directed at the use of a 3 year old in a 'lesson' - and a little at the idea of selling a 3 year old to a 'learner', although its not clear whether Ellie was riding the horse as a potential purchase or just a lesson. I'm not saying that Ellie May isn't a capable rider, but I think that anyone getting a riding lesson deserves to at least ride a horse who's learned how to control its own body (and emotions) and even the most mature 3 year old is still doing that, esp with a rider on board.

No matter how calm or pleasant the horse I personally couldn't take on a young horse simply because I don't have the experience and even if I thought I was capable of the ground work, I know (in my heart of hearts) that my aids\riding are not consistent enough to give a young horse the sort of training it deserves. I would think that having multiple riders at a young age could be quite confusing for a young horse, but anyway that's just my opinion. - and I've never claimed to be the source of all horse knowledge ;)

Jay.O - you may well have a wonderful generous 4 year old stallion, but 1months experience with him hasn't even scratched the surface of all his personality traits, fears and phobias and he's only just entering his 'stalliony' years. I've had my horse for 9mths now and I think that I'm only just, really getting to know him - and he can still surprise me sometimes ;)

[Ellie Mae]

Just to clarify to virtuallyhorses, yes I was on a proper lesson. I truly feel that the instructor jumped the gun and had me ride him because we had been discussing her helping locate a horse of my own. She felt he might work well with me as (her words) he has an old horse's disposition. I don't think she would have put me on him if I wasn't looking to buy. Anyway we both learned alot. It confirmed to me that I stilll need lots of instruction. I've been taking lessons about 2 months with earlier informal lessons from a friend. I had been doing rather well on the school horses but now I know a horse of my own may not be as predictable. Those school horses know the ropes (walk, trot, cantor, turn, etc.) and probably my sucess had a lot to do with the horse knowing what was expected. I certainly don't feel I'm an accomplished rider and have a long way to go! I don't falt the instructor tho', that is part of how she makes a living.

[Crazy horse2601]

hi!
you've only been riding 4 2 months! Wow and u already wanna get a horse? Maybe I'm wrong but I rekon you need a lot more instruction than that! good luck wit your search thou! :)

[Ellie Mae]

Yep! I need alot more lessons! Although I've only been taking lessons there for 2 months, I've taken them elsewhere in the past, but I still feel I haven't scratched the surface. I will probably buy next year sometime. We purchased a farm and are getting it ready for horses. I figure it doesn't hurt to keep my eyes open now for that perfect horse. My instructor will help train both the horse & me! I'm most eager to have a personal relationship with a horse.

[Crazy horse2601]

hi!
well good luck. I'm might be part sharing a horse soon! I would love a horse that you can get to know and it will get to know you! I must be brilliant. good luck!