how many lessons

[sherry]

Hi, I am new here. What a wonderful site!
I replied to 'riding Lessons" I hope someone will read it and reply.
More questions: I have read a few theads and see that some of you have been taking lessons for years. Are you specializing? Or was I naive to think I could learn 'enough' in 4 or 5 lessons? Wow I can not afford that many lessons! not just that but time management and family issues just won't allow it without a fight from me.
Well , one day at a time anyway right.

[LadyLimerik]

No matter how long or how often you ride there always seems to be something to learn or perfect. It really depends on how quick you learn. Some people can get alot out of 5 lessons and some need alot more. After you learn a bit you can always just take lessons every once in a while to sharpen up your skills. having someone watch from the ground helps see what you don't notice while riding.

[katyptaty]

Hi

You can learn enough in a few lessons to 'get by' but you need to put this into practice, then have refresher lessons.... even the best riders still have lessons, and instructors continue to have lessons. Then again, it depends why you are riding; if it's just to go out with the local school for hacks, then you should be fine.

Just to give you an idea - I've been riding for 15 years, now have my own horse and take lessons once a month to refresh, otherwise everything goes down the pan!!I only hack and do not compete. I just want to learn more! it's so enlightening!

Just take refresher lessons. You'll win the arguments with the family too once you start getting the bug!

have a great time!

[Wally]

Riding isn't just a case of learning to balance and steer a horse. You have a whole new set of muscle groups you need to tone and shape before you can hope to be a balanced safe rider. It is the same as any sport you need time and a sensible routine to develope the tone needed without damaging yourself.

Don't be impatient, every time you get on a horse you will learn something and that goes for everyone no matter how long they have been riding. Even if you only ride once a week you will improve.

Ask yourself what you want from your riding, is it competition or pleasure?

[kedwards]

Well, you mentioned that your horse needs a "little work."

This is different than simply taking lessons to learn the basics of riding. You want to learn some basic retraining of your horse.

See what your instructor says after she gets a chance to evaluate you and your horse. If there's some major retraining that needs to be done, it really would be adviseable to have a knowledgeable horseperson guiding you two.

Do keep the possibility open of having regular sessions (even if just monthly). It sure would be easier to catch a problem before it started, than to deal with the consequences later.

[sherry]

I AM quite exited.
All I am really hoping for at the moment is to improve my confidence in that with instruction I will know that I am doing it right or not. I have ridden a few horses but even when I felt it went well I did not know if I had done things wrong. Reading is fine but i'm sure it is no substitute for instruction from a professional. I've wanted to do this for a long time. and I finally am.
why I want to ride? - Pure Pleasure! but ,-who knows - once I start I may want more and more. Competition is not for me, though.
I have already discussed with the instructor when i went to make my appt. the possibility of bring my horse for lessons later on, right now the specific things I know she has a problem with is SOMETINMES when I lead her she rushes ahead and although I try to make her 'pay attention' I don't want to get in the habit of 'picking at her'. but because she does not do it all the time makes me wonder if it is something I am doing??? So I will be asking about that too. the other thing is when i am riding her she insists on looking behind her to her left. and I have made a conscios study NOT to have pressure on the reins and if I put some pressure on hte right she just moves over to the right with her head still bent. but when she trots, it is much less pronounced. and the last thing -when I ride her she seems to want to trot all the time and i am constantly (checking?) her back to a walk: when my husband rides her he has to coax her to go faster. If anything i am light handed and he is probably a bit heavy handed. He is the 'just get on and ride' type. I am the 'I want to know how first' type. but i am not overly timid with horses, just cautious with each new one I encounter. anyway from reading some of the posts, I guess It is possible that my goals can change in time but I, too, have a bad right knee and hip and i figure that will probably keep me from wanting TOO much more.
And , yes, 4 or 5 in a row and then perhaps monthly or so - we all here can probably handle that! THANKS AGAIN.:)

[fionahogg]

I've had lessons for years now - since I got my own horse, they serve several purposes:
1) to enable me to receive help in training my horse
2) to teach me how to ride new movements
3) to remind me of basics so I don't develop bad habits.
I normally don't have more than 2 lessons a month unless I've got a big competition coming then I might have as many as 2 a week. But to keep us ticking over, once a month is fine.
I think it depends very much on the rider, the horse, and the instructor as to how much you gain from the lesson, but there is one thing for sure, no matter how many lessons you have, there will always be more to learn!

Fiona

[skewbald]

youknow that you said you won't be able to aFFord lessons why don't you work out an arrangement with the yard owner and work there FOR free or discounted rides?

[julie biggs]

sherry......that bit about you and your husband riding out together...well i thought i had wrote it! i have exactly the same problem...i have only had six lessons up to yet, my other halfs the get on and ride type too, he's never had a lesson and his horse hasnt either...but they seem to just get on with it..now me on the other hand am constantly battling with my horse, i feel like i have just had a fight or somthing when i get back, i'm exhausted! my boy keeps jogging too, as well as shaking his head, pulling at the reins etc, etc, etc,. it's really annoying is'nt it, i just want to go out on a quiet hack so i can concentrate on what i been taught.....but no.....maverick turns it into a battle, my husband just laughs as he plods peacefully along holding his reins in one hand totally relaxed....i think i'm going to sell them both!

[Donna H]

Hi my name is DOnna
It depends on the standard of lessons you are having as to how quick you learn. I find that private lessons are the only way forward myself especially for beginners. As you have time to answer the riders indivdual questions and work on any problems the might have or work towards what they are interested in.
What have you learnt after 5 lessons?
I ould think after 5 lessons you are walking and trotting and having ago at rising trot.
Lunge lessons would help at this stage as they would do the balance wonders.
Riding is i life time commitment and i have been riding all my life and i would still benifit from lessons as would every rider.