Help!!

[CrazyfurAnimals]

I need some help. I went to my second riding lesson today. The instructor had me make him walk around the ring a couple of times. Well, I hate to say this, but he was walking like a mule!! But it was my fault! I tried squeezing his sides, clucking my tongue to him, and kicking him lightly on the sides. He didn't do anything. He was just walking REALLY slow around the ring. And then when she had me make him trot, he suddenly lurched forward really fast. I was really scared. Usually this horse is really good mannered, but today he was acting strangely. Please help!:(

[liz--y]

it was only your second lesson, dont expect mericles it takes time.
did you ride the same horse last time, if it was the same one perhaps he had done more work today or he was just on a off day. dont be scared to talk to your instructer if your worried about anything, thats what there there for to help you.
good luck, happy riding:)

[Silvia]

Don't worry. This was only your second lesson it is perfectly normal that your aids don't work very well yet. Many school horses are also a little lazy and don't walk fast unless they really have to. When the horse trots very fast you probably kicked him a little too hard. And I can only second lizy - when something seems strange or you are uncomfortable tell your instructor.
Happy riding!

[CrazyfurAnimals]

Yeah, it was the same horse that I rode the second time. Its an appaloosa named Hoosier. He's 20 years old. Do you think that could also be the reason he is walking slower?
I'm going to my riding lessons next week again. But now I feel a little nervous. I know I shouldn't, because theres nothing to be scared about, but its just that I feel so small on the horse. My instructor said that he probably can sense that I'm a beginner and that is why he didn't listen to my aids very well.
You don't think she'll have me start cantering next week do you? I don't think I'm ready for that yet.

[Silvia]

No, I don't believe you will have to canter in your third lesson. Usually you start canter after you have learnt to do sitting trot and rising trot and feel comfortable with it.
If you are nervous tell your instructor, so she knows and does not ask too much of you right now. After a few lessons the horse won't feel as big and scary as now - it's just a matter of getting used to it.
Good luck for your next lesson!

[Peace]

Don't worry, 20 is not all that old for a horse. I know a 29 year old who still manages a pretty good gallop when the mood strikes him! As Sylvia says, most instructors want you to be confident with your balance at the trot before you try the canter. My first instructor tried to get me to lope (western name for a canter) on my second lesson. Bad, bad idea. I changed schools, and let my second instructor know I was a bit nervous. She told me we'd canter when both she and I felt I was ready (she said three to six months of once a week lessons was the norm before she let anyone canter). My nerves got a lot better after that, and I'm sure yours will too after a few more lessons. Enjoy!

[Liz M]

20 definitely shouldn't be the reason for walking slowly, I used to ride a 22 year old and he loved a good canter - he would have galloped too, but i was too much of a beginner for that! He used to get a look in his eye which meant he wanted to be cheeky - the only time he plodded was when he thought he had to do serpentines, (probably a slight reaction to my feelings!) and when he thought he had to finish a hack!
Liz
Ps - As for canter it took me five months - and I had lessons by myself ,I had lessons most weeks.
Your instructor shouldn't make you do anything you're not comfortable with.

[floppy]

plodding horses can be a common thing amongst riding school horses used for beginners so i shouldnt worry.
You may find more forward going horses a bit daunting if you a bit nervous! the only annoying bit is if you cant get the horse to go into trot. But relax - take it easy- sometiems when you try too hard and dont get any results form the horse its makes you more depressed and upset after your lesson but just remember you are a 'new rider' and it iwll take a while to get used to everything and which 'buttons' you need to press for the horse to 'wake-up'.
you may fidn that either the horse was ridden a lesson before your lesson which would either make him more lazy or wake him up better...or you were the first to ride him that day and so he was lazy. it can swing both ways ..just look forward to your next lesson :)

[CrazyfurAnimals]

Thank you Floppy. That really helped out. Your right. I was disapointed after I left. I felt kind of embarrased too, because my instructor kept telling me that I was slouching in the saddle. I know she was just trying to help, but I was kind of getting nervous, and frustrated all at the same time.
Thanks everyone. You all are helping me out a great deal. :) :)

[fionahogg]

Well if a 20-year-old horse has been in a riding school all his life then this could well be the reason why he is a little slow.

Fiona.