Difficult Lesson

[Rob26]

My lesson didin't go too well... It's a bit windy down this way today so my RI decided not to put me on Rosie because she can get a bit lively in the wind.. so they put me on this little one, barely 15hh.. i'm over 6' and used to being on rosie who's over 16hh.

I had nothing but grief from this little monkey all lesson.. i'd almost say it was a pointless lesson but I try to look for the good in all situations so I wont.

He was just rude and nappy, was hell bent on grinding my leg into the side of the school, didn't want to halt, didn't want to trot.. didn't want to do anything for that matter.. he was heavy in my hands and was just an all round little git! I'm not comfortable with kicking the hell out of a horse just to get it to move up to trot.

Every time I gave him a kick he'd bring his head right up and swish his tail. My RI got on him to try to sort him out but just managed to wind him right up, he worked better for her as would be expected but she's very firm indeed! but he threw in a massive buck with her on and kicked out at the side of the school.

So this has been my first experience of a total little so and so.. I'm trying to view this as a good experience!

It's funny because at the end of the lesson... and I use the word lesson very loosely.. I gave him a really long rein and we just walked round so I thought i'd practice using my seat/weight for turning and it worked really well, I had him doing circles, turning off the track and down the centre line etc just from my weight/seat and a little bit of leg... so that was a positive!

He seemed to work so much better on a very loose rein, my RI said it was cos he knew it was the end of the lesson.

So no canter today, hardly any trot just a test of will... can't wait to have my Rosie back... I would rather have had her and risked a few spooks, at least I would have had some good work with her!

Oh well only a whole week to wait... :)

[raingodz]

It can be a bit sole destroying to have a lesson like that and then having to wait a whole week try again just makes it worse.

But it does sound like you were getting on better by the end of the lesson, so next time you ride this little minx you should be able to cope better, and it will be interesting to see how you feel on Rosie next time yo ride her.

I hope the next lesson goes well and isn't so windy :)

[Crazy Mare]

Hi Rob,

Sounds like you had a difficult lesson indeed.

Try not to be too disheartend. Learning to ride is all about ups and downs. You may have a great lesson one week and next lesson it may seem like you can't do a thing right at all :rolleyes: Ah yes, I've been there :)

It's good that you can still identify positives in your lesson and my advice is to hang on to them, and if all else fails remember that it happens to us all :) :)

Also, I know it may not seem like it at the minute but it's a good thing to ride a different horse from time to time.

Good luck with your lesson next time. Let us know how it goes.

CM x

[Rob26]

It makes me wonder why riding schools have horses that just don't like working? My Rosie loves it, she's very forward going, she chucks in a buck every time she steps up a gear but that doesn't worry me.

Oceana, a gelding I rode was OK, he'd work but you could tell he'd much rather be in his stable munching! it was all very reluctant and he'd do the absolute minimum he could get away with.

Give me a nice, forward going horse any day, I don't like lazy plods or little monkeys! :D

[raingodz]

It makes me wonder why riding schools have horses that just don't like working?

Sadly this question is a little harder to answer than that, at my RS there is a horse called Rhyme who I hate riding, she just will not do anything for me at all, the first time I rode her I posted a to NR in a similar way to you now. But both my OH and angelhorse think that Rhyme is wonderful to ride :o

[Mehitabel]

do you get up every day to go to work with a spring in your step and a song in your heart? i certainly don't - there are days when i am reasonably happy to go and days when i would much rather stay in bed. horses are the same - some love working, some tolerate it, some do it because they have to earn a living. most have days of all of the above and everything in between.

sometimes petal drags me in to the yard and puts her head inthe bridle, other days i have to drag her in and she tries to hide at the back of the stable when i appear with tack.

riding school work is not the most rewarding of jobs for a horse, and they put up with a lot - it's not really fair to expect every single one to love every single lesson it does.

this horse will teach you something - when you can get a good tune out of him you will know you have really come on as a rider. he will teach you to really ride, to assess the situation, think on your feet and react quickly, to be authoritative without being mean about it, and to deal with a horse who would really rather not cooperate. good management skills, and invaluable to becoming a tactful and skilful rider.

[Dummer&Drummer]

at least you were able to see the positive side of things and tried to look for some good out of your lesson that is a bonus to your character and with that attitude im sure you will go far :) it is quite disheartening when you were looking forward to it so much and now you have to wait another week, your'll get there in no time im sure :)

[Rob26]

do you get up every day to go to work with a spring in your step and a song in your heart? i certainly don't - there are days when i am reasonably happy to go and days when i would much rather stay in bed. horses are the same - some love working, some tolerate it, some do it because they have to earn a living. most have days of all of the above and everything in between.

sometimes petal drags me in to the yard and puts her head inthe bridle, other days i have to drag her in and she tries to hide at the back of the stable when i appear with tack.

riding school work is not the most rewarding of jobs for a horse, and they put up with a lot - it's not really fair to expect every single one to love every single lesson it does.

this horse will teach you something - when you can get a good tune out of him you will know you have really come on as a rider. he will teach you to really ride, to assess the situation, think on your feet and react quickly, to be authoritative without being mean about it, and to deal with a horse who would really rather not cooperate. good management skills, and invaluable to becoming a tactful and skilful rider.

I'd not thought of it that way.. I guess we all have our off days! My RI had to be very firm with him and I don't know that i'm that comfortable with being quite that firm! I can be authoritive but i'm not gonna kick 'that' hard! I'd rather get off and wait till he's in a better mood than boot him. If I had a crop I would have given him a tap, i'd be ok with that but not my size 11's in his side! I'll give a kick if a squeeze or nudge doesn't work, but there's kicking and then there's kicking, i'm OK with the first but not the second kind.

On the plus side, I managed to practice the weight and seat aids you were telling me about!


that is a bonus to your character and with that attitude im sure you will go far :)

:D :D :D

[affected]

Hi Rob,
Sounds like a toughie today, but on a positive all experiences like this I like to think of as character building, put down to experience ad move on!!!
Try not to dwell on it, this is the part we love about horses, each have their own character, moods swings, vices etc. this one isn't for you but you never know if you rode him a few more times got the feel of him you may get to liek him when you understand what makes him tick, hopefully though you will be back with you Rosie soon as it sounds as if you really click with her!
Chin up!!! Rach x:)

[Mehitabel]

yep, we do all have off days - and some horses do have more than others!

glad you managed to get something out of it, and practice the weight aids. if you ride him again, try to ride like that right from the beginning - it may be that he will be pleased not to be hauled about and will start to be a bit more generous. if he is not a generous soul, which some aren't, thenn he will still teach you something!

[Rob26]

Having to wait a whole week for another go is what's most annoying... I want to go out now and try again!

I guess that's the joy of owning your own horse, you can practice when you want!

:)

[affected]

Joy, hmmmmm.... ask me later when I have ridden!!!! you never know what you'll get from one day to the next with my girl!!! You are welcome to jump on whenever you like!!:p

[Trewsers]

Ah, but you've lived to tell the tale! Hope your next lesson is better:) I had one or two "interesting" lessons before I became a horse owner - usually they involved me either employing the "emergency dismount" technique or the "legs stiff from clinging or kicking school horse on":D :D Its all character building eh????!:p

[Purple Hugs]

Hi Rob,
Sorry you had a rough time with the different horse.
Having had that sort of situation but with a 17.3hh TB I know how you feel.

I guess you can just chalk this down to experience, and know if it's too windy next time to ask to make your lesson a different day if the only other option is this horse. Unless of course he was just having a bad day! ;)

At least you got to work on your steering in the end.

Keep your chin up! :p

[Rob26]

You are welcome to jump on whenever you like!!:p

Might just have to take you up on that! :)


Its all character building eh????!:p

Charecter building... I knew there was a name for it!

[Rob26]

Hi Rob,
Sorry you had a rough time with the different horse.
Having had that sort of situation but with a 17.3hh TB I know how you feel.

I guess you can just chalk this down to experience, and know if it's too windy next time to ask to make your lesson a different day if the only other option is this horse. Unless of course he was just having a bad day! ;)

At least you got to work on your steering in the end.

Keep your chin up! :p

I'd rather take my chances on a slightly spookey Rosie than ride that little monkey again!

He was only about 15hh, he felt far too small.. i'm almost 6'2" I felt like I could touch the floor! I like a nice tall horse! He had a short choppy stride too.. Rosie has a long smooth stride :)

[affected]

No problem!!:p
She is a little monkey too, but a forward going little monkey anyway!! :)

[Rob26]

No problem!!:p
She is a little monkey too, but a forward going little monkey anyway!! :)

That's the key word! Forward Going! :)

[affected]

So long as you can keep tehm thinking forward you are half way there, it is when they are thinking backwrds as well as sitting behind your leg that they can throw the really nasty stuff in, been there with my girl and you have to change thier way of thinking as much as their way of going, not so easy when you only get to try once a week and there will be plenty undoing all your work in the week,:rolleyes:

[Rob26]

It's just one big never ending learning curve isn't it! :)

[affected]

That's why we love 'em!!;)

[Gizzie]

Hi Rob, Ive only had three lessons. The first 2 were great but i had a bit of a stinker last friday, same horse just outside school rather than inside. I could not keep him going in the trot, my RI got pretty fed up with me and at one point had a conversation with someone else so turned her back to me. I decided to spend some time just walking around the school doing figure of eights.

The horse responded to me brilliantly ( I know it was only a walk) but for the first time in my life ( 3 lessons remember) I was riding with out being aided or told what to do. Thats what I have taken away from last week despite feeling very down about my lack of ability. Focus on what you have done, not what you have not. For me 2 weeks ago was the first time I had ever sat on a horse, thats where I am at and will be when I ride again a week on friday (Cup final tickets this weekend!).

Keep going, riding if fab!

Giz

[Gizzie]

That should be "Riding IS fab"

[affected]

Gizzie,
how rude of your RI to do that, not to mention unsafe!! you are paying for a sevice and it is their responsibility to provide it, get so angry with people like that, plain ignorance!
anyways sounds like you drew something positive form the experience anyway, sounds like you did really well!:)

[MeMe]

Rob - At least you can look at the good things, every ride has a good point.

I get on my boy sometimes and he can give a terrible ride as in, not wanting to bend etc, he is always 'forward' though, so bear in mind what Mehitable said, as its true.

I hope you have a more successful lesson on Rosie next time.

Where do you ride out of interest as your from my neck of the woods?

Gizzie- What your RI done was totally unacceptable!:mad:

[Gizzie]

Yeah I eventually did, have considered changing RI. She also teaches my kids and is very good with em but she is an ex army officer and is fine until things go wrong ie inability to kick and rise during a trot! She then seems to get very impatient very quickly. I never thought about it as dangerous her turning away from me, but you are right. Anyway I will try her one more time and if I get attitude rather than instruction I will change. Giz

[Gizzie]

Meme - Petleywood near battle East Sussex

[cvb]

Mark Todd 6ft2
Charisma 15.3 (officially elsewhere its quoted as 15.2 and I'm sure I remember him being 15.1...)

So what's the problem ??

Seriously - I've ridden horses in schools before where the schedule means that the occassional stiffness or problem with tack just isn't picked up when it is at that "niggling" stage... this horse may have bene a bit stiff, hence the resistance. When you did the work at the end, he was able to offer more.

Would have been interesting to see what would have happened if you'd had the chance to start that way... don't you do a warm-up phase at the beginning ?

[Rob26]

Where do you ride out of interest as your from my neck of the woods?


I ride at Hallingbury Hall.. do you know it?

[Rob26]

Mark Todd 6ft2
Charisma 15.3 (officially elsewhere its quoted as 15.2 and I'm sure I remember him being 15.1...)

So what's the problem ??

No problem, just feel much better on a taller horse and I think how I feel on the horse is likely to reflect in my riding.


Seriously - I've ridden horses in schools before where the schedule means that the occassional stiffness or problem with tack just isn't picked up when it is at that "niggling" stage... this horse may have bene a bit stiff, hence the resistance. When you did the work at the end, he was able to offer more.

Would have been interesting to see what would have happened if you'd had the chance to start that way... don't you do a warm-up phase at the beginning ?

We did warm up at the begining... It seemed to me that he didn't like the bit, could that be a problem? at the end I was riding on a really loose rein, like western... so no contact.. just using my seat and weight and he seemed different... I commented about this and my RI said if I tried to get him up to trot he'd start playing up again. he felt really heavy on my hands too during the lesson.

[affected]

Sorry Rob completly off topic but, meme from cosmo?

[cvb]

Rob

sure how you feel will affect how you ride - but developing the ability to ride a range of horses increases the number you can ride and enjoy :)

My 15.1 mare actually doesn't ride "big" to me - tho if I swap straight from her to the 13.3 I do feel a bit close to the ground ;) I think I lot can be to do with stride length rather than height - and as you've commented about this horse not being teriibly co-operative, I wonder whether he was not really striding out ?

need to dash - boss on the phone

[affected]

In reply to you rob if he was a lot more comfortable off a contact then maybe the bit is uncomfortable for him, would have been interesting to try to pick up the trot again with no contact and see what happened as your RI may have been right saying he was just happy he'd nearly finished!!
Also working out of a contact is so much easier for them most are more willing to go forward anyway!!
I would try and ride this lad again imagine the acheivement if you got him going nicer than last time, there is so much you could try with this lad?!:p

[cvb]

Sorry bout that - have been trying to get hold of line manager for days now, and couldn't really put him off "because I'm doing something completely unrelated to work" :eek:

It seemed to me that he didn't like the bit, could that be a problem? at the end I was riding on a really loose rein, like western... so no contact.. just using my seat and weight and he seemed different... I commented about this and my RI said if I tried to get him up to trot he'd start playing up again. he felt really heavy on my hands too during the lesson.

He could need his teeth checking, or have a sore mouth - if it was your own horse this is certainly something you would check. However, often resistance in the mouth/bit has its roots elsewhere - back, saddle etc - and it just comes out first in the contact as the horse says "sorry, thats sore" when you ask them to accept a contact (but the soreness is about working, not about the mouth).

The lighter contact will probably have been linked to a longer outline. So its when you've asked him to shorten up and accept a contact that you have got heaviness and resistance. Did you warm up on a long (almost buckle end) rein ? This gives the horse a chance to stretch and loosen up before you ask them to work. But you need the engine to be revving - its actually easier to see this with a long rein sometimes than if you are already in a working outline. On a "free rein" they are free to respond to the leg and will not be getting conflicting messages from the hand - so if they are not responding then to the leg, you want to check it out ;)

If you want to go from free rein to a balanced working pace, you need the engine to be running, so that they step through from behind and can shift weigh from forehand to quarters. If not, thats when you get the heavy horrible stuff happening.

The fact he was heavy could also indicate he was struggling a bit. The key here is not to lean in return - use a tonne load of half-halts to rebalance again and again. If you lean, you often end up pulled "onto the forehand" yourself, which makes it even harder for the horse to come off it (the forehand).

[Rob26]

Rob

sure how you feel will affect how you ride - but developing the ability to ride a range of horses increases the number you can ride and enjoy :)


That's the way i'm trying to look at it... I think it'll do me good in the long run.


My 15.1 mare actually doesn't ride "big" to me - tho if I swap straight from her to the 13.3 I do feel a bit close to the ground ;) I think I lot can be to do with stride length rather than height - and as you've commented about this horse not being teriibly co-operative, I wonder whether he was not really striding out ?

need to dash - boss on the phone

His stride was short and choppy, my Rosie has a long, smooth almost elegent stride. :)

I think given a little more time we could have worked better together but it's difficult when you're on a time limit, especially only half hour too. I would have liked to have perhaps just worked on walking with him and practiced turning, figure of 8's etc for a bit... he seemed really reluctant to up the pace. perhaps he would have liked work at walk more.

In reply to you rob if he was a lot more comfortable off a contact then maybe the bit is uncomfortable for him, would have been interesting to try to pick up the trot again with no contact and see what happened as your RI may have been right saying he was just happy he'd nearly finished!!
Also working out of a contact is so much easier for them most are more willing to go forward anyway!!
I would try and ride this lad again imagine the acheivement if you got him going nicer than last time, there is so much you could try with this lad?!:p

Yeah I should have tried the trot again actually.. would have been interesting to see if he started being a monkey again!

If I wasn't on a time limit i'd love to have another go at riding him, but I only have 30 mins and I just want to practice on a well behaved horse during this limited time especially at £32 for half hour!

I hate the time limits... that's the bonus of having your own.. you practice till you get it right. :)

[affected]

£32 for half an hour??:eek: :eek: jeeezzzzz!!! Wherabouts you based? that's a huge amount of money!!!!!! only costs me £25/wk for my girls stable, with use of sand paddock and ample hacking??

[Rob26]

The lighter contact will probably have been linked to a longer outline. So its when you've asked him to shorten up and accept a contact that you have got heaviness and resistance. Did you warm up on a long (almost buckle end) rein ? This gives the horse a chance to stretch and loosen up before you ask them to work. But you need the engine to be revving - its actually easier to see this with a long rein sometimes than if you are already in a working outline. On a "free rein" they are free to respond to the leg and will not be getting conflicting messages from the hand - so if they are not responding then to the leg, you want to check it out ;)


On the long rein he was listening to the leg and my seat and weight.. we were only walking but he seemed like a different horse... his head looked long and lower.

Perhaps he needed warming up for longer.. one of the down sides of a 30min lesson and he came straight out of his stable so he'd not been warmed up already. Could have contibuted to the problem.

[Rob26]

£32 for half an hour??:eek: :eek: jeeezzzzz!!! Wherabouts you based? that's a huge amount of money!!!!!! only costs me £25/wk for my girls stable, with use of sand paddock and ample hacking??

I ride at Hallingbury Hall... it's very expensive! 45min private is over £50 :eek: We have an indoor school.. other local one's don't.

I could have about 3 lessons a week else where for £50 but they have a very good reputation here. :rolleyes:

[cvb]

Rob - and for a 30min lesson you really don't want to be riding a horse that takes a good 10-15 mins to warm up :(

but on the bright side, at least you got to try out the turning stuff in your cool down.

[MeMe]

Yeah I eventually did, have considered changing RI. She also teaches my kids and is very good with em but she is an ex army officer and is fine until things go wrong ie inability to kick and rise during a trot! She then seems to get very impatient very quickly. I never thought about it as dangerous her turning away from me, but you are right. Anyway I will try her one more time and if I get attitude rather than instruction I will change. Giz

Maybe have a word with her first, and explain you dont feel 'safe' when she isent paying attention?

[MeMe]

I ride at Hallingbury Hall.. do you know it?

Yes I took my Stage 1 and 2 there, took my 3 and PTT at North Herts Equatation Centre.

[Gizzie]

Good idea - although recklessly I did actually enjoy the short time she was ignoring me, but I do take toyr point.

[MeMe]

Meme - Petleywood near battle East Sussex

Was in Battle the other week, dont know the area to well though, but Rob isent to far from me.

[Gizzie]

Yeah got confused with that reply sorry, thought you were asking me. Duh!

[MeMe]

lol thats ok, sorry Gizzie

Rob HH's horses are normally very good, some require 'riding' and if thats the case, they should put you on ones that are more suitable for your level of riding, not sure what your upto so wont call you a novice or anything.

[MeMe]

Sorry Rob completly off topic but, meme from cosmo?

I do go on there yes, dont recognise you though?

[Rob26]

lol thats ok, sorry Gizzie

Rob HH's horses are normally very good, some require 'riding' and if thats the case, they should put you on ones that are more suitable for your level of riding, not sure what your upto so wont call you a novice or anything.

I'm a first class novice! I can handle riding but I do need one that's a bit sypathetic! Rosie is my out and out fave!

[MeMe]

It is good to get experience on different horses though, as long as they are safe enough for you.

And when you do ride Rosie you will appreciate her even more:D

[Rob26]

The one I rode today was safe enough.. he was just having a laugh with me! He kept driving my leg into the side of the school, he'd get as close as he could... I bet he was laughing to himself! bet he went back and told his mates too!

[cvb]

Rob, have you noticed you've gone from

I'd rather take my chances on a slightly spookey Rosie than ride that little monkey again!

to

If I wasn't on a time limit i'd love to have another go at riding him,

:D

[affected]

Meme am rach-t on there, had ellie on sam's yard for a while and she now has me addicted to cosmo, never been on a forum in my life and now I am signed up here aswell, very addictive these things!!!


lol cvb, yes he does seem a lot more upbeat about it all now!!!;)

[MeMe]

lots of outside leg and seatbone to keep him off the fence, dont be tempted to haul the inside hand, it will just bend his neck and swing his 1/4's.

CVB - Yep he is think we are getting there;)

[MeMe]

Meme am rach-t on there, had ellie on sam's yard for a while and she now has me addicted to cosmo, never been on a forum in my life and now I am signed up here aswell, very addictive these things!!!


lol cvb, yes he does seem a lot more upbeat about it all now!!!;)

Ah yes know who you are now.

Im okish on Cosmo, its lost its feel.

[affected]

not half as busy as this, can't keep up here, !!! :eek:

[Rob26]

Rob, have you noticed you've gone from



to



:D

I've chilled out a bit now... I can see the importance of riding a variety of horses with different temprements, even the little monkeys..

30mins a weeks is just not enough!

By the way CVB.. any chance of emptying your inbox, tried to pm you but it said it was full :)

[MeMe]

not half as busy as this, can't keep up here, !!! :eek:

I love it here, here and EE are the main ones I visit now :)

[MeMe]

I've chilled out a bit now... I can see the importance of riding a variety of horses with different temprements, even the little monkeys..

30mins a weeks is just not enough!

By the way CVB.. any chance of emptying your inbox, tried to pm you but it said it was full :)

Excellent, see we are working our nagging on you well then?;)

Speaking of which I need to go do ponios, so bye for now :)

[cvb]

By the way CVB.. any chance of emptying your inbox, tried to pm you but it said it was full :)
newrider politely emails you to say someone has tried to pm but can't - so I went and deleted a few pms then ;)

[Purple Hugs]

I'd rather take my chances on a slightly spookey Rosie than ride that little monkey again!

He was only about 15hh, he felt far too small.. i'm almost 6'2" I felt like I could touch the floor! I like a nice tall horse! He had a short choppy stride too.. Rosie has a long smooth stride :)
depends how spooked she gets really, and also might not be best for Rosie poor love. ;)

I know what you mean regarding a horse... it's better when they feel they fit you! :D And I'm only 5' 4"!! :p

[kayjayhorses]

found someone that goes to Hallingbury Hall (yippeee) I'm looking on going there soon, whats its like Rob? (sorry not trying to crash this post just a quicky answer would be good) Thanks.

[Rob26]

I'll PM you :)

[larri]

My OH went to HH a few years back.
I really wasn't impressed at all and the lesson ended after the instructor started picking up handfuls of dirt and cobbing it at the horse as the only way of getting it moving....not my idea of value for money instruction :mad:

OH said he could hear me cursing from the gallery :p

[LouHarvey]

i love you, rob.

you have the right attitude, determination and dedication to make an absolutley top class rider. ok, so maybe you shouldn't have been put on that horse, but look at it like this..

1 - your instructor has faith in you and she obviously knows you have the ability to handle such a horse;
2 - not every ride is going to be great, next time you ride that horse he might be brilliant, and then imagine how made up you'll be.

am i right? you know it. :D you learnt a valuable lesson today, baby. try and look at it from that point of view.

peace. xx

[Rob26]

i love you, rob.

you have the right attitude, determination and dedication to make an absolutley top class rider. ok, so maybe you shouldn't have been put on that horse, but look at it like this..

1 - your instructor has faith in you and she obviously knows you have the ability to handle such a horse;
2 - not every ride is going to be great, next time you ride that horse he might be brilliant, and then imagine how made up you'll be.

am i right? you know it. :D you learnt a valuable lesson today, baby. try and look at it from that point of view.

peace. xx

Aww thanks hun :D

That's why I like you so much... you always say the right things!

:D

[MeMe]

My OH went to HH a few years back.
I really wasn't impressed at all and the lesson ended after the instructor started picking up handfuls of dirt and cobbing it at the horse as the only way of getting it moving....not my idea of value for money instruction :mad:

OH said he could hear me cursing from the gallery :p

Really? Thats not good! I've not had a lesson there, I just took my RRS, Stage1, Stage 2 there. Then I took Stage 3 and PTT at North Herts EC, which is fantastic, but miles away!