Lesson horse problem

[arabluvver]

I ride in a weekly group lesson and have recently (okay, so last week :D)) been upgraded to the more "difficult" horses. I was looking forward to the challenge, but am encountering difficulties with the horse.
I was recommended by a stable person to always carry the crop on the left side. I did this, and found out why-the horse bolts off into the middle of the ring if you don't (and if you do :(). She randomly came off the rail multiple times at the beginning of the lesson for the middle of the arena, and I was screamed at by my instructor to smack her on the shoulder with the crop, kick her on the left side AND pull hard to the right. I was also made to keep a strong contact throughout the lesson-so much that my hands were numb-ish and achy by the end of the lesson. :eek::eek:
Also, as we approached jumps, I could not get her to canter during the courtesy circle, even with the crop. She would just trot until she hit the jump.
I will *probably* have her again this weekend, and equally likely ride her during an approaching two-day camp. Any advice would be much appreciated!

[Echo64]

Is the mare dead sided, or just a bolter or lazy? She sounds a little sour to me, but it's hard to say when we can't see her being ridden.

[Barbie_Girl]

Do try to keep riding her as you may start to understand her better and then you may improve. If you don't enjoy riding her though perhaps ask to ride another horse for a couple of lessons to give you more connfidence in your riding ability?

xxxx Barbie xxxxx

[arabluvver]

Echo: I'm not sure, and I haven't had a lesson with that horse since. Methinks she's a bolter, but she really had no reason to bolt besides a basic desire to be done with the lesson :D, hence heading towards the middle of the ring (dismounting area).
Barbie: Again, I haven't encountered her since, though the horses I have had weren't much better!!!

[SwiftwindSpirit]

Have you tried keeping a strong contact with your left lower leg and right rein to try and make sure she doesn't go off the track? I know how hard it can be when you advance to a more difficult horse. I was advanced to this really, really, really strong horse once that my fingers were aching from holding the reins (I felt like giving up). The strong horse I was just talking about became one of my favourite horses to ride after a few more lessons! :D I learnt her ways and her personality to sort things out. If you perservere though, things work things out soon. Just give it a bit of time.

[ponytude]

In my last show there was a horse like that-couldnt get out of the canter. Its problem was its hooves were shod to short(? if thats how you say it). She could be lazy if you ask with certain cues. be firm with cues and make sure there very clear. other wise just do what your doing I guess(??? not to ggod at this) and hopefully she will setle down and listen fully.

PONYTUDE

[ponytude]

Oh and when she bolts have a confident seat-even before she does. She could just be playing games or something untill shes totally used to you. If you get sores on your hands wear gloves. If you already wear gloves maybe try a thicker pair???