Feeling deflated!! :-(

[stephlouise]

Just got back from first lesson at a new RS, explained to YO over the phone about my capabilities and experience: walk, trot, canter but at a Hacking level, no formal schooling since i was about 12 so well over 10 years ago! I have been hacking/riding out quite confidentally so thought about time for some 'real' lessons again.

Ha what a joke i was!! I could barely keep the horse to the track, struggled to get her to trot, felt bad as it was obvious she just didn't want to go! I used the correct aids, even had to use the whip which i hate, RI kept shouting 'boot her boot her, harder harder! :-( I didn't want to but as she wasn't going for me, i reluctantly agreed to try his way, horse still not going!! No response what so ever!!!! I now feel like a complete dunce as i was clearly the worst in the lesson and could feel the others groans stabbing into my back.

Some advice please?? Am i being over sensitive as i feel like i really didn't get my money's worth and made to feel like poo in the process!

[denisextilly]

Could you maybe have a couple of private lessons first,just to get you back into it :):D

[carthorse]

Can you find a different school? I have my doubts about the quality of the instruction if the main advice was "'boot her boot her, harder harder!" :eek::mad:

[stephlouise]

Yeah i've just had a think about that, the only thing is the cost!:eek::eek:

[denisextilly]

Mmmm did you have an hour in your group lesson ?? If so maybe you could just have half an hour private ??:D

[stephlouise]

That's exactly what i thought at the time!! The horse seemed completely unresponsive to the leg aid, small or big! I'm in central London so finding a RS is pretty hard.

[twigs]

when I returned last year after a 20 yr break, I had the same problem, in my head, Id mount the horse and carry on riding like I did in the past, however that wasnt the case:p my reins were too long, and the horse wouldnt budge, once he did get trotting, it was as you said, cutting corners off, i wasnt in control at all, and nothing would get him into canter! Gladly thats all changed now and I can just about manage a small course of jumps, as long as theres a good distance between each one, so dont worry, it will all come back! Think your RS telling you to boot the horse is a little un PC:rolleyes:

[hot.to.trot]

i know thtafeelin gwhen you just KNOW people talking about you,, and not in a good way! dont beat youself up riding school horses arent easy! and that instructor dosent sound that good! :eek:

[Crazyhorse]

I know that feeling only too well! I would say go for a private too. I think a private every two weeks is much more use than a group each week. After a few privates you would probably feel tons more confident to go back in to the group and make them eat their groans ;) I used to live in London, what riding school are you going to?

[rtk]

Doesn't sound like your fault at all. I wouldn't want to do a whole lesson on something I had to "boot"

Why not continue your hacking and then save up for an occasional lesson at a good school with some decent horses. I think you would actually learn far more.

[kturner]

They usually put you on the slowest horse if it is first time back, or first lesson ever, so that they are less lightly to run off with you.

Ask for a more forward going horse which is more responsive next time, a kind of in between one, not too much too handle as you are a bit rusty. This may give you more confidence as it will respond better, but whatever you DONT kick a responsive horse too hard, as you will end up in the next county. Take it slow and get used to how much pressure you need. Mine goes from the slightest squeeze or lift of seat. If you booted mine he would have you off for being rude.

Good luck.

[stephlouise]

Thanks for the advice everyone, i have booked a private lesson at another school, further away from me but seems much more professional and the horses seem much happier etc.

Crazy Horse: the school is in West London, dont really want to say in case someone is on here :rolleyes::rolleyes: but i am trying out Trent Park for the Private lesson so fingers crossed!! I am not going to give up no chance of that, just did not like that schools attitude!