First lesson of 2004

[SuziSue]

Hello all,

I'm now getting rather nervous as in two days I am having my first lesson of 2004!! The riding school has been closed for two weeks over Christmas and being the Christmas period I haven't done any excercise so the lesson (1 hour) is going to kill me. Also my last lesson of 2003 was a disaster and I could feel my confidence seeping away with every minute I was on my horse. So as you can imagine I am now building myself up for my lesson worrying about which horse I will be riding, are they going to be fresh after their two weeks off and whats going to have happened to my position!!! Aaah! I really am overhyping this and making myself more and more anxious. Has anyone else had worries about going back to their lessons or is it just me? :(

[sallym]

I wouldn't worry too much about the horses being fresh - I expect they will have done quite a lot of work on Saturday! Maybe have a word with your instructor beforehand if your not feeling too confident on the day, but try to relax, think positive and enjoy it. Those butterflies have a habit of disappearing once you're on board and riding.

Good luck

Sally

[gail_rose]

Suzie,
in September I went for my first riding lesson since I was 18 (4 years). I had convinced myself that I wouldn't be able to do rising trot, canter or anything at all anymore but everything came back as soon as I was in the saddle.
Haven't been for many more lessons due to no money & loads of work at uni, but I'll be going more regularly from now on as I have a part time job now so i can afford it.
Just relax and forget about your last lesson - everyone has their off days!!
Let us know how you get on!

Gail x

[Scarlett 001]

I'm a bit worried about getting back to my next lesson as the horse I ride, Madonna, did 3 little spooks and 2 bigger ones in just one lesson the last time I rode her (situation seemed to be part of the cause - too many other advanced riders in the arena during my lesson - I was told that in future the more advanced riders would not be in the arena when I have my lesson). Still, I am a bit nervous as my lesson was cancelled the week after this happened, so it will have been 2 weeks. I am going to ride another horse (very calm gelding) next lesson as I am anxious after what happened and I am worried Madonna would sense my nervousness and it would happen all over again. I'll wait a couple of weeks before I ride her again.

So you have company in your anxiety of your next riding lesson. Let us know how it goes!!! :)

[SuziSue]

Hey all,

One word would describe my lesson on Sunday 'Terrifying'!! I have never been scared riding before but I was on Sunday.

The horses hadn't been ridden for just under three weeks and the wind was blowing so hard we couldn't hear the instructor.

One of the ladies in my lesson got cantered off with three times by the school 'bombproof beginners horse' thats how hyper they were. She managed to hang on the first two time but the third time he turned to quickly for her in the corner and she came off. I think it was a combination of general unbalance and jumping for freedom - her horse was being a pain. My horse, who is the spookiet horse in the school, for once didn't spook but had more upward movement than forward and seemed to have completely forgotten that he could trot. We had to go everywhere in canter. Which usually wouldn't bother me cos he has got a nice canter but he refused to go anywhere near the corners and kept getting faster and faster until it seemed as though we were cantering about a ten metre circle at 100mph (slight exageration but thats how it felt!)

When I saw the other lady come off her horse unfortunatley I took it as my excuse and I gave up for the day. I got off!! One of the more experienced guys got on and took him for a good canter round the school and then tried to take him over a jump at which point the horse refused and the poor guy ended up on the floor. :eek: Felt quite guilty about this but then he did offer to get on. Needless to say the poor horse was taken for the ride of his life round the school (only one little smack with the whip) but he didn't refuse again. ;)

Regretting slightly that I got off but feeling good that I knew when I was in too deep and was able to admit I couldn't handle the horse as he was. Surely its better that way than one or both of us getting hurt.

I have arranged for some extra lesson on one of the horses I trust completley to try and regain some of my lost confidence. Thanks for your words of wisdom and encouragment but I didn't get so far as to actually use them, but will still listen to your advice in my next lesson. Thanks again guys and I willkeep you posted. :p

[gail_rose]

I have a question - were the horses excercised or let out to excercise themselves at all in the 3 weeks they weren't being ridden?

[CityGirl]

Sounds like you made a wise decision! As an adult (I refuse to be mature:D ) rider, my motto is "discretion is the better part of valor." If you think you're going to come off, its better to get off under your own power! This shouldn't be happening often (if it is, look for a new trainer/school) but there is nothing wrong with making a decision that this isn't something you're comfortable with doing. For me, knowing that I can get off makes it rare that I will get off. Just knowing I have the option makes me feel better;)

Sounds like you made the right decision.