Is this right? Not sure about instructor

[Kris]

Hi everyone,

I've just had my first few lessons. I tried out two different instructors. The lesson with one instructor was really great, but this other instructor was sort of mean to me--she got very irritated whenever I would ask questions. She kept saying to the horse, "Don't worry, it'll be over soon" but I had this feeling she was talking to herself! She also pulled my legs around the barrel of the horse to show me how much I had to wrap my legs around, and when I told her it hurt (she was practically pulling out my kneecap) and that I couldn't do that naturally because I have rather short legs, she just said very harshly "Well, you're going to have to if you want to ride". To "improve my form" she made me trot on a lunge without stirrups with my toes pointing downwards and told me to grip with my whole leg. I asked her if I should try to move to sit the trot or something, and she said "No, I am trying to get you to develope a secure seat." So basically I was just hanging on for dear life and trying not to bounce out of the saddle while we went round and round. Anyways, my question is, has anyone else's instructor made them do this and is it really necessary? After every lesson with her, my back is awfully sore from bouncing around! With the other better instructor I was learning posting and only my thighs hurt. I guess I am offended by her rudeness, but I'd just like to know whether her training practices are sound or not. Thanks!

[floppy]

well reading waht you said i would not have any more lessons fromt his brutal instructor that is trying to give you perminent damamage by popping your knee caps out! and being rude to you too ... you dont pay a riding instructor to be rude to you you pay them to answer questions and teach you all you want to know about horses and riding!go back to the nice instrcutor if you can or look for a new one.
As for the trottign without stirrups etc...she should have done this with you on a lunge line first so you didnt have to worry about controlling the horse....it takes time to perfect and the only way to learn it is without stirrups...when i was learnign to ride as a kid i was taught two ways...one was to just let your legs hang gripping with your upper thighs and the other was to try and maintain the same postiion as if i was riding with stirrups (toes pointing forward)
It shouldnt cause you pain to do this and after soem NICE advice from another instructor you will find that either the other instrcutor was just being brutal to you making you hurt or that you might be a bit stiff aroudn the knee area ?
but good luck and go find a new isntrcutor :)

[rocketman]

That much trotting without stirrups for a beginner is NOT customary. If you are just getting started, trotting on the lunge should be slow and steady with frequent rest periods at the walk. I have never heard of taking a beginner's stirrups away from them at such an early stage. What IS normal, is allowing the student to hold onto the front of the saddle to pull himself deeper into the seat while getting accustomed to the movement of the horse. Riding is about balance, not hanging on for grim death. Gripping with the entire leg is just plain wrong. No wonder your muscles are sore. The lower leg is not used to grip, only the thigh, and it doesn't need to done with much force. The more you tighten up your muscles, the stiffer your body becomes and the more you bounce and need to hang on. It's a vicious circle. That's also what's making your back hurt. Learning to ride should be fun. You need to find an instructor who explains everything to you, helps you relax and become confident, and takes you forward in small, easy steps. Why would anyone pay to be treated rudely and put through this abuse?

[hilite]

I don't see any reasons why you should stay with this instructor when you've found a nice one. I know there are some instructors who like to start people riding without stirrups early because it helps them develop a very good seat, and then you're not worried about riding stirrupless later on. But, I don't think the way your instructor was doing this was right at all. She should listen to you, answer all your questions, and make sure that you feel comfortable riding without stirrups. A good teacher never makes you do something that hurts (ie, the kneecap incident)... also, why did she make you point your toes down? This goes against one of the basic rules of horseback riding, which is heels down. She shouldn't be making you do this, especially when it doesn't even seem to be teaching you anything except that the instructor is fairly evil.

Anywho, I don't think this instructor is going to help your riding, the first one you described sounds really nice though- remember that it's your money and you should have the best person teaching you. :)

[Bebe]

Any instructor who expects you to develop a secure seat by gripping with their legs needs to be chased around the arena with a lunge whip (just kidding!). Gripping is a surefire way to find yourself bouncing all over the place and eventually right out of the saddle. It will also result in a horse that flies around the arena at 100mph because the tension in your body upsets them.

As for the kneecap thing. She's right about you needing to be able to drape your leg around the horses barrel but you shouldn't be expected to develop it over night and there are lots of stretches and ridden exercises that when done correctly will allow you to do this gradually and without damaging yourself in the process.

I say ditch her.

Amanda

[Wally]

Short amounts of good quality work are what is wanted not an hour of hanging on for grim death!

How dare this instructor treat you so badly.

Nothing is ever acheived by fear and pain, either by horse or rider.

I'd tell you so called instructor where to get off, what a rude unfeeling person. You, as the paying client, should be calling the tune.

There is no way a beginner rider can get into the right position straight away, your muscles will not be either strong or long enough, it should be worked on slowly, over time.


You seem to have a very bad instructor, with no feeling or empathy, find a kinder one. Good luck.

[Kris]

I'm definitely going to stick with the better instructor. Thanks for all your support. I've really learned that your instructor really does matter in whether or not your riding experience is successful and enjoyable!

[Katie_85]

Oh my, toes down, that's dangerous! Or so says my instructor. I asked to ride without stirrups, (western saddle very comfy) and she said yes, just as long as my toes didn't go down. Find a new instructor ASAP!

[Hevz2001]

I don't understand why your instructor wanted you to point your toes downwards?! Sounds a bit dodgy to me! And being rude to you aswell?! I'm glad your sticking with the nice instructor!!!
Oh well
I gtg now!!!
Happy Riding with your new nice instructor!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Byeeeeeeeee
Heather

[Joshua]

Sounds like you need a new instructer. Beginners need an instructer with patience. Most instructers will point out your major faults. An instructer that never says your faults is also a waste of money. Just remember your riding to learn more so if they just send you round the school they're no good either. In english riding dressage instructers can be good but picky on your faults. I rather have an instructer that tells my faults as thats what you paying them for. Ones that can't communicate well maybe fine but you'll learn slowly. I have seen people who have never ridden before and who are reasonably fit be taught to ride in 20-30 half hour lessons to the extent that they can walk trot and canter safely. Seems a little strange some of the things your instructer is saying. 'Heels down is what its supposed to be". But if your without stirrups I wouldn't say its dangerous I'd just say its not teaching you correctly.

A horse is dangerous at both ends and uncomfortable in the middle.:D

[Hargate119]

I echo the sentiments expressed in a number of replies above when they say that trotting, as with many other areas of riding is a case of balance and relaxation, not tension and gripping, which both upsets the horse and often just levers you up out of the saddle.

A good instructor knows that its vital to make the novice rider feel relaxed and secure, as that they will not make any real progress until they are.

Yes a good instructor will gentle encourage a rider to move on, but would never make them do something they were not ready for or find painful. This will simply stress you out and then to add insulting behaviour to this as well is simply disgusting!

As a teacher myself I was know that knowing your subject is one thing. Being able to put it across effectively is quite another. Whilst there are many excellent instructors out there and I am fortunate enough to have found one myself, there are also a minority which possess the riding skills without doubt, but have not got a clue as to how to 'teach' this effectively to their 'students'.

[SweetHillsGurly]

that instructor..... bringing a bad name to instructors everywhere! that is what an instructor is supposed to be like, absolutely..... NOT! it's heels down. why would she make you do toes down?*confused* anyway.... i do think that no stirrup work is great, but not in that way! stay with the nice one......

[kurlysmam]

I agree with every thing they have said. You are paying money to learn hoiw to ride properly. she shouldn't be rude to you or hurt you in any way.
ditch her and find some one who will teach you properly.:rolleyes:

[Dizzy]

Oh dear me, you poor thing, this womans a sadist. Listen to everyone on here, believe it or not learning to ride can be fun. Ditch the witch, and complain to the School owner, if its her,even if it isn't her, tell her her teaching methods stink and belong in the dark ages.

Don't waste your hard earned cash on her, ask for a different instructor or try somewhere else.

Good luck

Lesley

[Kris]

Hey everyone! Thanks all for your advice--I took it and decided to go with another instructor. I sort of just told the bad one I was going away for a while......Anyhow, my new instructor is wonderful. I love her teaching philosophy and style. I feel like I'm improving a lot and it's all so great.

Happy riding!

Kristie

[KarlR]

Excellent! A wise decision indeed, and I'm so glad that you have found such a nice new instructor. :)

It can be very difficult to leave and get a new instructor, but often, as in this case, very necessary. Congratulations! :)

[Moonlightrider]

Evil instructor!!! I've had a lot of bad ones. But that's more then bad. I've also been taught two ways without stirrups, staying relaxed (where you just let your legs hang) and equitation-style.

It's hard to move - I should know, I've moved several times to get away from evil instructors (the one who doesn't want you to count strides to a jump... the one that wants you to trot around with your eyes closed in the middle of a crowded ring... the one that says, oh, that horse won't bite, he's just pretending, and you don't have an arm later).

Hope you find a good one.

BTW, I've been told to get my toes further down.... to get your weight into your heels rather then thrust them down... but it doesn't seem like your instructor meant that.

[kurlysmam]

well done.
im so glad that you havefound someone you like.

good luck:D