New RI. I hope this Works Out.

[NoviceNic]

I have a new RI. I am fed up with trying to explain to RI's what I want and I seem to feel as if I am getting nowhere with even the basics. Anyway the new RI has been twice and ridden Captain. I made sure she understood that Captain is not the easiest horse to ride. He is lazy and stubborn. First lesson she rode him and thinks he is quite tense when ridden. Then she assessed myself and said that I also ride tense. No surprises there. She has introduced some new exercises for Captain and I. The barrel swing, breathing and neck exercises using a carrot for bribes. Lesson 2 and I felt myself relax for the first time in 2 yrs. Of course I didnt stay relaxed but I felt what it was like. I will hopefully be able to improve from now on. My aim is to be able to give Captain more confidence. I have relied on him so far it is now my turn to pay back the favour. Then I would like to be able to have more control on hacks encouraging extended and collected gaits. Oh and then we take over the world.:D

[Tangle]

Oh and then we take over the world.:D
Well it's always good to have a goal :D Glad to hear you've found an instructor you seem to be able to communicate with :)

[NoviceNic]

I'm hoping I can finally start to improve. I am hoping that the new RI will stick around. My other RI's have been a complete let down. She seems to teach the correct way to ride but also realises when to bring in a bit of compromise and natural horsemanship to help Captain overcome his stubborness.:p

[kedwards]

In my experience, the right instructor can make all the difference. I've made some mistakes in the past staying with instructors long past the point at which I knew it wasn't working out.

Hope your lessons go great with the new instructor!

[cazrider]

I so agree with Kedwards. A good instructor can make all the difference. Julie, my instructor is a "ride with your mind" instructor, and i've learnt more with a few lessons with her than I've done in most of my previous horsey years.

So, best of luck NN, and also best of luck with your world domination plans.:D

[Wobblydeb]

That sounds like a really encouraging start :) I hope things keep going well for you :D

[NoviceNic]

best of luck with your world domination plans.:D


I just hope that one day people will look at Captain and I and think WOW look how far they have come. Instead of look at the state of that cob and cr*p rider. :p

[kedwards]

NN, more than likely they'll forget your roots and assume you two had always been there. (I'd put a smiley face here, but it won't seem to let me insert them these days.)

[Supercali]

I remember when I had lessons where I was constantly screamed at and me and the horse were tense and of course, weren't improving!

When I bought my (stubborn!) cob I realised I needed help and now have a trainer who has shown us groundwork and now riding, where we are all relaxed and enjoy it! I know myself when I haven't done something right and get upset - not the instructor, she is calm. We do have some days, ike last week when cob tries to be cunning and get avoid doing things, like cantering! but we work through this.

I look forward to my lessons now :D

[NoviceNic]

Kedwards - You say the nicest things. :D

Supercali - I know what you mean about looking forward to your lessons. For a little while I lost the bug. But then I got myself a new RI and I am trying to remember that Captain needs a day off. :rolleyes: