Instructors

[Diana H]

Hello,
as I mentioned on my other thread, I have only just started learning to ride. I have had 3 three lessons so far.

Where I go to is a small stable near to where I live, in the country - nothing overly professional or big.

Yesterday, we were a group of 8 (normally it's less) and we had a different instructor than for the first two lessons; the owner of the place, who is a lady.
And I was seriously taken aback at HER style.

The entire lesson she screamed at the top of her voice, especially when someone would not understand and act on her instructions straight away - like myself - and constantly urged us to 'kick harder'; in one instance, when my and another horse would not behave, she kicked one with the foot and slashed the other, mine, with the whip so that I got also hit rather hard.

Now, I don't want to be unjust, and maybe she just had a bad day, but this sort of behaviour strikes me as odd, and unjustified.

Obviously one is there to learn, and to take directions - sometimes given in a stern tone, which I think is ok - but I cannot help but disagree with the experience I had yesterday eve.

I was very near to cancelling my next lessons and give up.

I should very much appreciate your opinions on the matter, as I am lacking experience to judge whether or not I have picked a 'bad instructor' or if this is the norm.

Thanks,
Diana

[CarolineR]

Change Schools.

Even if the other instructors are OK, if the owner of the Yard behaves in such a way, you can guarantee that this dissapates itself down to the yard, the horses, their management, the feed etc etc, you may also find that instructors and staff move on at quite a rate which is not a good sign.

Hitting a horse from the ground with a whip should never be done, especially with a rider on board and a beginner at that. What if the horse spooked, reared or bucked, then as a beginner would you have known what to do. You must put your safety first.

Do not give up riding, take time out to search for a good riding school and watch a lesson that you would participate in before you book anything. Speak to the Instructor who would be taking your class. Take time to look around the yard, are the horses happy, are the stables clean and tidy do the owners take pride in their yard. If not then it is unlikey that the quality for a beginner will be suitable.

[KarinUS]

Try out a couple more stables and pick the one that suits you best.
I myself wouldn't like that screaming and whipping either.
Don't give up on riding all together. Just go somewhere else. I tried out about 4 different stables. Only one had an owner/ instructor that yelled. That's definitely not the norm and I haven't been back there either.
I am new to horses myself (just started in January), but from working with dogs I can assume that a person that is trying to control an animal in an effective manner must first and foremost have control of themselves and not act like a lunatic. ;)

[Roz]

If I were you I'd go looking for another place to ride.Remember even if you are a beginner you are still paying this woman to teach you not abuse you,like you don't mind being shouted at to a certain extent but being hut with a whip well thats extreme.The sad thing about this person teaching people is that some people will think this is the way to get a horse to do something,thank goodness you seem caring enough to realise this.But please don't give up just change your instructor,it's your money after all.

[horselover]

If I were you, not only would I find another stable, I would give the lady a good talking to. Some nerve she has! What she did was not only dangerous and irresponsible, it was also rude and unprofessional. If you decide to leave, she should know the reason why, so that maybe in the future, she will think twice before doing something like this again.

[Kerry's Partner!!]

The horses do NOT deserve to be treated in that way. I would REPORT it - because otherwise the horses will continue to be mistreated and will suffer for it. I would certainly not take my business there again - but I would let them know why too. It is not because it is a school in the country, or because it's small - neither being a reason for what you've experienced. I'm sorry to sound so harsh but I had to undergo a nightmare experience with my horse because I believe she had previously been kicked and kicked harder to "go" - but my experience cannot have been anything like the extent of what I believe she went through.

[Wally]

Go with what you feel is good, what you have described is VERY wrong, you are right to question the methods.

You should NEVER be shouted at N-E-V-E-R!
To hit a horse that someone else is on is irresponsible and dangerous! Leave and find a better place.

[Diana H]

Thanks to all of you for your advice; it's been a great help !

I was worried I was overreacting because I am rather involved in animal welfare/rights issues on the side and have seen some horrible things done to animals.
I keep thinking that if riding means that I have to beat an animal I'd rather lave it altogether.
I am glad that your views have confirmed that this is not the right way at all.

Actually, I've even had the 'mad' idea of buying this sorry creature I rode on and make sure he's never beaten again. But that is of course an animal lover's dream. I wish.

Thanks again for your help.

Regards,
Diana