Third Lesson... Confused Already

[Auqeam]

Well I had my third lesson last night (and third instructor?!) and I have to say I am getting a bit confuzzled. The thing is they all have such different teaching methods, and to some extent, riding techniques. There seems to be some contradiction in what is being said, and at the end of the lesson I thought my brain might just explode:D
I realize of course that riding is not 'black and white', but i'm not sure whether this is normal or not? I'm just getting used to rising trot, still quite unbalanced and losing my stirrups sometimes etc (am I the only one with this problem?) when my Instructor asks me would I like to have a canter? I was like...um... ok:eek: But actually I was worried I was going to get thrown off due to being so unbalanced. I did manage a few strides and loved it but i'm just concerned that I should be getting the trot relatively right and should be confident in that before I move on to canter? Or am I just worrying too much?!! How did everyone else do this? The other thing is, the pony I have been riding is relatively 'green' and has a tendancy to cut corners not just a bit but a lot, and will try to come straight back in to stand next to the other pony in the lesson... I'm finding it a struggle to concentrate on sitting right and pull him back in line at the same time...Argh!!
Sorry for sounding like a moaning old woman!! :o

[timmy tiptoes]

Hi

I haven't been riding for long - had lessons in riding school for a while, and have now bought our own horse as it was nearly (well quite nearly!) cheaper than paying for me, my son and daughter to have lessons - and I can ride more than 1/2 hour a week!

I only started cantering in my lessons after I had done loads of sitting trot - with and without stirrups and could change direction, halt etc really well. I have hardly cantered since I have had own horse (had him 3 months) as I want to get confident with all the controls again. It sounds to me like your instructor is pushing too quick - I was getting impatient and did love cantering, but would hate not to feel in control. I have also found instructors are all different, but my advice would be to find a good one and stick with them for a while so you dont get confussed.

Good luck
Jo x

[Shire Monster]

If at all possible ask your school if you can stick to one RI, while you are still at this stage of learning, explain that you find it a bit confusing with the different methods, you could even say that you have no preference with instructors just that they teach different and you are getting a tad confused.

I don't think if you are not confident trotting you should really be cantering at this stage to be honest but really glad you enjoyed it :D

[vieshot]

Id advise having a chat with the yard owner and seeing if its possible to be kept with just one instructor- it may be that they all work different days so they can let you know what instructor is working when.

Also, id recomend private lessons rather than groups- you learn tones more!

The pony cutting the corner isnt green, hes just learnt how to make his job easier! You have to remember, these ponies get ridden by so many different riders for probably a few hours each day- they learn how to take advantage of beginners and that is what he is doing! He knows he can take the p*** because your very novice and dont fully know how to handle him yet- dont worry, with time you will learn how to get bossy with him and he will do as hes told- it just takes some time.

In terms of cantering, if your not confident and dont feel your ready then just say no!

[kusha]

You sound as though you are doing great and glad you enjoyed you little canter.

I too would sort out the problem with the RI's. Far better to have the same one if possible until you have mastered the basics.

Cantering this early again probably depends on the teaching methods of the RI. Some will want you to be confident in the basics before cantering. Others may feel that it is better to get all stages over and done with quickly that way you don't worry about what is ahead. My two daughters started to ride in February (fornightly) and they were jumping small jumps after just a handful of lessons. They are now starting to concentrate more on position, direction, diagonals while trotting.

It will also depend on how confident you are, my girls are only 9 & 10 so don't really worry about things, they haven't fallen off yet and have no concept that it may hurt. As adults we obviously have other thoughts!!!

As for losing your stirrups - yes it happens to us all!! It is something that will get much better as you gain your seat and balance. :D

[SpringySpring]

I did manage a few strides and loved it but i'm just concerned that I should be getting the trot relatively right and should be confident in that before I move on to canter?

Have faith in your instructor! Sometimes it is easier to learn canter first. Personally I think it is an easier gait to balance to, the trot is very choppy and bouncy. It may take you a long time to fully master the trot, but this shouldn't hold you back from trying new things.


the pony I have been riding is relatively 'green' and has a tendancy to cut corners not just a bit but a lot, and will try to come straight back in to stand next to the other pony in the lesson

Naughty pony! Sounds like he is napping to get back to his friends. Ask your instructor for some advice on how to overcome this. Remember to use your leg if he naps, push him back out onto the track with your inside leg and just use a little rein.

Happy riding! :)

[JustJas]

Having spent many years having lessons all I can say is if you know which instructor is the one you are most comfy with ask if you can have lessons just with them.

Then assess how you feel your progress is going.

[Auqeam]

Thank you all so much for your replies, it has given me lots to think about. I'm really loving it despite the confusion and understand that these things take time and they know a lot more than I do! Thanks x :) I'll keep you updated!

[qhranger]

I would recommend sticking with the basics before you move on to canter.Control and steering are very important. If the pony is cutting corners and coming in to the other horses he is ignoring your aids and this is bad enough at the jog or trot but really not a good idea at the lope. I personally would tell my instructor that I want to work on the basics and get them down pat before proceeding, for your safety and everyone elses. Good luck!

[Skib]

Is your school BHS recognised?

One of the problems with learning to ride is the staff turnover, and though it is now holiday period, you really should not have had three different instructors in your first three lessons.

I'd speak to the school owner or director to ask why that is. They may say you are so brilliant you have been promoted to their best instructor? But whatever the explanation, see if you can arrange some consistent tuition?

Or change schools. Part of the secret of learning to ride is to shop around for a good school and a skilled teacher. It isnt like a regular school, learning to ride you can try several schools and find one to suit you.

Look particularly for one that is recognised by the British Horse Society as they will have at least one qualified teacher.

My view is that canter at the third lesson is a bit soon, unless it is what you particularly want, and you are young and athletic. It isnt possible to judge without seeing you and knowing more.
But the fact that the decision was taken by someone who had never taught you before does not instil me with confidence.

[H & Bailey]

in my teachng experience it quite usual to have a different instructors for lessons especially if you are going on a weekend as this is their busiest time, you would be more likely to get the same one if you were going on a night during the week.
if you are having a group lesson its also usual for them to let you have a little canter,usually if you have all been working hard on transitions and turns, trotting etc it can be hard work and a little canter at the end de stresses the ponies and gives you a little boost.they must think you can stay on or they would just make you trot.RS ponies are very safe and know their jobs well so if you want to hold ontot the front of the saddle for cantering hold on and enjoy it.
As for cutting corners alot of ponies will do this as they know its easier and quicker to take a short cut, as you advance you will improve on getting the ponies to ride into the corners, try on your lessons to get the ponies to go into the corners easiest way is to ride them 'square' ie ride straight into the corner then turn and try and go straight up the other side , the pony wont want to go straight and will bend round but if your instructor sees you trying to ride the corners they will know you are really trying and be impressed with you. sounds like you are doing fine.. if you can afford it a private lesson might helps loads with your trotting as then you are getting 1 to 1 tuition and you can also ask them direct questions about any problems.

[eml]

Sadly beginners are often allocated to a junior instructor but as others have said you really need to talk to your RS and get a consistant teacher for at least your early lessons.

I have taught the odd person to canter on lesson 3. Generally men coming into riding who only want to hack out at home with partners on quiet horses where all I teach them is how to sit comfortably and safely.

There is a lot more to learn if you really want to 'ride' and so cantering on lesson 3 really isn't necessary and I wouldn't be talked into unless you are totally comfortable. From the other point of view however don't strive for perfection in everything at the outset, feet slipping in stirrups isn't the end of the world and many cheeky RS horses will try it on and cut corners but your RI should be setting you up with exercises to suceed in dealing with this.

[Grinyer224]

i loose my stirrups on seated trot - i can't do rising yet

[Auqeam]

Thanks again everyone for all your time in replying it really helps to have other views on this. The thing is also that so far I have done 2 tues eves and one wed eve, I could understand if it was the weekend and they had a lot of horses and ponies but they have just 5. The RI in my last lesson was the one who told me the pony was green, that he was 4 years old and had not long been broken, she said that it was 'his' school, to which I assume she means he takes the majority of the lessons during the day. Please forgive me if this sounds wrong, but it is what she said, and I was a bit suprised as I've always thought of RS ponies as being older and wiser? I could be wrong of course! She also said she was taught by an army instructor though so maybe it is the way she learnt - she said she has been thrown off many a time and that it's all part of learning. I know everyone has to fall but i'd prefer to have half a chance of staying on first!!:rolleyes:
I'm sure things will get easier when I gain more muscle memory and balance, I think I will have a word next time and see if I can stay with just one RI, and try to book a couple of private lessons:)

[eml]

From your last post I would be looking for a new school.

Many schools will have young horses from time to time but they shouldn't be giving first lessons, to start with you need a horse that understands what you are trying to tell it at least. The average age of my 'beginner' horses is about 16, old enough to know what to do, not to old to do it!

Falling off will happen eventually but not because of the attitude of this instructor but because of a freak mistake, it is no longer considered neccessary to fall to learn.

I once employed an instructor straight out of the army, ladies flocked to his lessons for about three weeks and then started making excuses to come back to mine ...he too was taking this attitude and scaring them by placing them outside the level they were safe with. There is a big difference between stretching comfort and confronting danger!!

[Skib]

Frankly it isnt essential to fall off - The insurance company might look askance at that. Occasionally people get killed that way.
My OH hasnt yet fallen off. I myself havent fallen in a lesson for years.
It is not clear to me whether you came on NR looking for reassurance that things were fine at your current school?
Or because you are worried that they may not be. That it has not met your expectations of a riding school.
From what you have posted, I would say this is not a good school for you. And I would look for somewhere else.

[Kittycat]

It sounds worrying for a school to be using a young, green horse for a beginner. As a beginner you want a horse who will be sensible and be unlikely to do anything unexpected, plus you need one who will understand your aids.

When I started to ride 2 years ago the horse I learnt on would stop whenever I got unsecure in my seat and started to slip. He knew that a shriek meant I was in trouble so he'd slow down and stop carefully so I didn't hit the deck. That's useful!:p

If I were you I would either move to a different RS, or if that is not possible, insist on an older horse more suitable to a beginner and a different instructor.

Good luck.

[Auqeam]

Yes Thank you, I think deep down I am looking for reassurance that this is the right thing, and although I am enjoying it, part of me is worried that in the not too distant future I will become out of my depth and will fall and lose confidence, or worse. As pretty much a totally new rider, I am unsure of what is acceptable and what is not, it's something which I simply have no knowlegde. I have always wanted to learn this and will contimue to do so but want to do it in the safest way possible, and on Wednesday, despite the fun of cantering for the first time, I only felt 50% in control and this is my worry. I'm still working on halting properly, and the pony seems hard work sometimes. After I had tried to canter on mine, the RI asked if I would like to have a go on the one my friend rides, as his canter is much slower, and he would not try to leave the track as mine does, honestly, it was like a dream to ride in comparison! Halted lovely, nice into the corners and stayed on the outside track. I felt I could really learn on him as it was not a battle to keep him in line... ah well, i'm off to have a look for different RS's. I will give the benefit of the doubt next week but if it is the same I think you're right, shop around, so to speak! Thanks all, you're all stars for giving me great advice x :):):)

[KIATUMAHIA]

I started out riding at a riding school i lived near in Ramsey Cambs. I was paying a considerable amount for lessons but i quickly became concerned with the standard of teaching. I was also somewhat surprised to get bucked off a horse during a routine lesson. I later found out that despite claims to the contrary, the riding school was not and had not been ABRS approved for years... They had the badge on the door! The woman who owned the place claimed to be qualified to teach, but there was no record of that with the BHS. Infact it transpired that some of the people who took my lessons had been hired as general stable staff, and some could barely ride themselves.

I think the lesson here is that if you have concerns you should definitely question the service you are getting. You are paying for a qualified instructor to teach you on a horse that is safe and suitable for that purpose. No, riding isn't black and white as such, but the basic technique should remain the same to a greater or lesser degree depending on your mount of course.

You're paying good money for this service, so if you are not happy with it, ask if you can stick to one prefered instructor, and check that they are properly qualified. You wouldn't want a driving lesson from someone who had only just started driving! And let's face it, horse riding can be dangerous. Get what you have paid for, don't let yourself feel over-whelmed because you are unfamiliar with the subject.