Not the best lesson

[lcs]

Haven't ridden for 6 weeks due to various things...my last lesson (back in May) was brilliant, felt really happy and in control and I left with my confidence high and back up to where it should be. Things have slowly been getting better, and this lesson was the icing on the cake. So I was looking forward to today's lesson...except it was terrible.

I was on a horse who made it plain he didn't care to ridden on a friday afternoon (the horses are normally ridden in the morning only) and he was incredible dead to the leg, even a tap with a crop didn't do much. In the end my RI came up beside us and tried to get us going...not much luck! The horse decided that he had had enough, reared, span and then bucked. I managed (somehow) to stay on board for the rear, but the spin made me lose my already unsettled balance and the buck did for me - I came off onto my head...ouch! :eek::eek:

Got back on, although had a pounding headache. finished the lesson early as I didn't feel as though I could trust the horse not to try and get me off again...so dismounted, and as I was leading the horse out of the school, he bolted! It took me and RI to get control again...:eek:

So, my confidence has plummeted back to zero (again) which is realyl frustrating as after the last few months I really thought I was getting somewhere...and I have a nasty headache :(

But on the upside I guess I get to go shopping for a new hat!!

[Cazie]

Awww... I hate lessons, But too have to put up with that for an hour would just about finish me off for ever. Insist on a another horse, one that you can actually have a lesson on. There could be lots of reasons the horse acted like he did, but it does sound to me like he just wasn't up for the game that afternoon, especially if he could see his buddies grazing.

Just put it behind you, get another lesson booked asap and hopefully it will be a good one and the old horrid lesson will just be a memory.

[jacs205]

Poor you, I've been there with a horse that just didn't want to be in the ring and I think you are probably right, he/she didn't want to be working when buddies were resting. I try to have my lessons in the morning now but also after they've had breakfast but I know that isn't always possible. I hope that you aren't too sore and that your next lesson goes much better x

[ginageorge]

:mad:Oh dear sorry to hear your lesson didnt go well,iam sure next time will be better:mad:

[lcs]

Thanks! My head and neck are still really sore, but the staff are going to make sure that I'm not on that horse again for a while. I'm going to be on the lunge for the next lesson as well - whilst I know the lunge is good, I'm not sure it is the right thing for me. I know that I can ride, and my position is fairly good, just not with that particular horse (we've never hit it off) but I suppose it might give me a chance to 'relax' and concentrate on feeling happy in the saddle after the fall, rather than trying to get an obstinate evasive horse working and not feeling as though I can 'trust' him...

We'll see...at the moment I'm looking at new hats...

[Skib]

I am another London rider and there are things in this thread and some of your previous posts which disturb me.

Your profile does not state your age nor your riding experience, but I myself would not expect to resume riding after a six week break at the same level as my previous lesson. If a lesson was itself above average, one cant necessaily recoup it the following week. Let alone after 6 weeks.

Even after two or three weeks without riding, I'll resume gradually and build up from there. It is not a question of knowing how to ride. It is a physical thing, that my body needs to re-familiarise itself, become supple again and provide instant unthought reactions. Doesn't matter how you get back to your previous level - starting just walk and trot and, if that feels good, building up to canter.
After a bad fall, I too might go on the lunge. But lunge lessons with our RI are not regarded in a negative way. They serve a positive purpose to improve one's seat or re-establish balance, stability and flexibility.

I have to have my hair in a bun

This post undermined my confidence in your RS.
No one should be obliged to wear a bun.
I too have long hair. I know from sad experience that if you fall off with your hair in a bun at the nape of your neck, you risk a sharp chop on the back of your neck from the bun - like a guillotine before your head tips back and hits the ground. I cannot imagine why any RS obliges you to wear your hair like this. It is perfectly in order to plait your hair.

The next thing is, that for medical reasons, no one should ride with a head that is still sore from a previous knock. The head and brain may recover from a first impact; but there is risk of serious problems if there is a second blow before the first one has properly healed. The riding school should know this too. Your head may feel fine, but if it hurts when you put on a riding hat, you shouldnt be riding at all.

Now it may be that you are an experienced rider and are taking these decisions for yourself. But, if you are a newish rider or returning older rider, I would have serious questions about the guidance you are being given at the RS and the way you are being taught.

Agree with your opinion - I have a fairly resigned outlook to falling off (most recently it has been 'here we go again'!) but normally its something of the lines of 'if it happens, it happens!'

It is not surprising you are nervous in these circumstances. It isn't a psychological problem. You posts suggest that you are being put at risk.

I wouldnt like anyone on NR to imagine that this is the only way to learn ride. There is a stark contrast between your story and that of my elderly OH who has never fallen off. He has been well taught on good horses and after 15 months gently hacks and canters without worry.
Please take care of yourself.

[lcs]

Skib, I'm not riding at a RS, but at a private yard. I've pm'd you.