Is there really much point

[dcp]

.. in having riding lessons on a horse that is not your own? I'm not sure whether to have a couple of lessons in jumping as I don't know how to jump. My horse still :rolleyes: doesn't jump and I thought getting lessons would help me to know what to do if I'm really wanting to get him jumping so is it really worth it or a complete waste of time to have lessons on a horse that ain't yours?

[chev]

I have lessons every week on horses that are not mine. I think for teaching you to deal with different ways of going there's nothing better; I'm having to learn to deal with all sorts of different types, temperaments, and it's making me much more flexible and adaptable in my approach to a horse.

Sometimes it can be frustrating; it sometimes feels that just as horse and I have sussed each other out and are starting to work well the lesson is over; and not all of what I learn can then be applied to my ponies either. But it does stop me getting stuck in a rut, gets me thinking and reacting rather than just going along doing the same old thing, and has benefited me tremendously.

If you have something you want to address with your horse though I think you really need lessons on your own horse. Learning to jump on a schoolmaster will teach you how to jump, let you work on your position, strides and so on without having to worry about any other issues, but once you have the confidence to do that then imho the best way forward with your own horse is to have lessons with them. That way you can tailor the lessons to suit you both, and hopefully get some practical answers to any problem areas you want to work on.

[dcp]

Hi thanks for your reply. I do sometimes feel stuck in a rut and there is no doubt that having lessons on my own horse would benefit us both. Maybe I'm barking up the wrong tree and getting way ahead of myself. :o

[StephA]

I was going to start a thread a bit like this.

At collage we have 2 hour long lessons a week and I completely hate them. I feel like I am getting no where and I was so upset yesterday I was ready to quit the course. The horses are so horrible to learn on...I spend most of the lesson trying to figure the horse out and dont learn a thing. I wouldnt mind if it was to gain experience but I have to pass an exam at the end of the year!!
Everytime I dismount I feel like a failier and that the people at the collage must think im a crap rider and I know im not :(

I wish I could take Harry up and learn on him because I know if I was doing something right he would listen and respond so I would KNOW I am doing it right rather than ignore me and charge off to the instructor for a polo.

I would love to be able to bring Harry on with what I am learning and start him with his jumping but all I feel like is that I am going backwards, dreading my lessons and getting a bad back from hauling big slow cobs about!!

Sorry for hijacking your thread but I kinda have the same dilema!! :D :rolleyes:

[teabiscuit]

it's a good idea to learn how to jump on a horse that knows what it's doing,i think.then you can teach your own horse how to jump knowing what to do :D

[stevielee]

I have a lesson every week just for a bit of fun really ( my instructor has us doing daft things like no reins and things.) Also because i no as much as you try the RS horses and ponies will not work in an outline and do lateral work properly and things i tend to work on my position. I also have a lesson on my own horse to help me ride her properly.
I think you should have a few lessons to teach you the basics of jumping it's also a change isn't it.

[kedwards]

I used to cancel my lessons if Bud was off for some reason. Then, he ended up being off so often and for so long, that I stopped cancelling my lessons and asked to book them on instructor's horses instead (I take both jumping and dressage lessons with two different instructors).

While it's true that I don't get direct training of Bud out of the deal when I take lessons on other horses, I still can't be happier with my decision. I've found that taking lessons on a variety of horses has been wonderful for identifying and improving my weakest areas.

I think taking lessons on other horses can be a good refresher under any circumstance. However, if you are wanting to learn something that your horse hasn't yet learned himself (such as jumping, in your case), then it's a particularly good idea.