Instructors

[Tootsie4U]

I had my first lesson with my new instructor. Things went as expected; not well.

I have only been riding since June (7 months) but have progressed quite decently. My original instructor was obtained just for exposure and to learn the basics. I always had intentions of switching to a more "thorough" instructor once I got my confidence and could at least hold my own at the trot and canter.

My "new" instructor is a personal friend, empolyer, and the woman who I bought my horse from. She is a very stern person, but is extremely knowledgeable - and certified. During my lesson, she expected me to just know the whys and hows - afterall, I've been working with her and assisting in recognized shows for over two years now.... (her opinion). She critisized EVERYTHING I had previously learned from the original instructor. It was a very upsetting and disappointing lesson.

She is well known in the area and, as I said, very knowledgable about horses and riding. I aim to become a serious rider and think that sticking it out with her will prove beneficial. But, the idea of "mixing business with pleasure" has me cautious.

Any opinions?

[Wally]

Nobody will learn anything, not horse, not rider, adult or child unless they are happy and relaxed.

It seems you have run into a common problem where new riders are concerned. The least qualified person and least knowledgeable usually gets the raw novices to teach. They don't teach you the whys and wherefores at the start, so when you go up to a more experienced instructor who assumes you know the basics you don't simply because you were never taught them.

What you really need for your first lessons is a good knowledgeable instructor who can start you off properly, then you don't get the smack in the teeth after riding for a year and not really having the foundations in place.

What she is telling you stands a chance of being the truth. You may well have had the exposure and gained the knack of staying on, but have you learned to ride the horse? Don't think of it as a bad lesson or be disappointed, it is a learning curve and you are on the up and up now.

What you need to do now is compare what you were taught and what you are now being taught, does it make sense to you, does the horse go better, does it feel great? If you can answer yes to all the questions then you are on to a good thing.

[Tootsie4U]

Hi Wally, thanks for the reply.

I gather that every instructor has "their way" of doing things so her picking my riding apart doesnt necessarily come as a surprise.

What you said that really struck a cord with me was your first statement about being relaxed. I dont know if I ever will be able to be relaxed with this new instructor. I hold her in such high esteem (due to her knowledge or the horse world) that I'll be self conscious of every little thing. In addition, because I work for her, she holds me in a higher esteem also. I feel "pushed" (which is maybe a good thing) but like you said, is it the best situation for learning?

And what if things go sour!! Seems trivial, but I really am worried about this.

No doubt my riding will improve over time with her. You are also pretty much right that with my other instructor, all I learned was how to hang on. It really wasnt a good schooling choice for learning the whys (they even taught see-sawing - which I recognized to be WRONG).

I guess there is no answer other than to just "ride it out" :D and see how it goes. I am just rambling mostly, but it certainly helps to get such helpful and thoughtful opinions.

Tootsie

[Miriam]

Have to agree with Wally. When I was at the riding school we had a variety of instructors all teaching differently. When I came to ride my friends horse she said that I had not been taught to ride properly. I have also had lessons from a girl on our yard who has her AI/AII (something along that line) and her first words were 'I don't know how you manage to stay on that horse riding the way you do'

[Tootsie4U]

Its funny, you dont really think (at least I didnt anyway) about the severity of choosing your (first) instructor until you realize you love it and want to become a serious rider.

I guess I gotta take all the money I spent on those lessons since June, and toss it out the window. Looks like Im at square one. On the other hand... this was a good learning experience. (trying to be positive - trying hard :( )

[Wally]

Never look upon ANY experience in life as wasted!!

[kelsey]

Tootsie4U - I can sympathize as I spent over a year having western lessons at my last barn, during which time neither myself nor my horse learned one thing.

All we did during the lessons was walk, jog, lope and trot over poles (all of which I could do back when I rode as a child).

I have been at my current place for three months and have learned so much I could kick myself for not moving sooner.

I think the problem is that sometimes people who know how to ride very well have no idea how to teach others, yet their reputation is built on their own riding. My current instructor was certified in Germany, where there is a very high standard - they don't pass if they don't know how to explain the mechanics of everything.

I know that when I ride, her corrections to me are instantaneous and make a huge difference. For example, she will tell me exactly what adjustments to make to my aids while I am circling - after a couple of times only, it starts to come naturally.

At the other place, it was more along the lines of "Kick him" or "Slow down".