Frustrated- at my stable-I dont seem to click with the horses or something! Help!

[Frustrated]

There is basically two horses there for my level. But they don't seem to be very good school horses. They are very gentle and sweet.
But when you ride them they will never do what you ask them. Also my instructor is like their "mom" and so you spend most of the time trying to get the horse not to go to her.
They are a little undertrained I think.
but also I have been taking for along while.
And Im not getting anywhere!!!
I have learned to completely care and tack and clean the horse but riding- is going nowhere.
Sometimes (like 2or3) they have been great and it just feels awesome but the other 20-30 lessons have been awful!
Is it just me- or is it the horses?

**I have been frustrated with thsi for awhile and i need some advice.
** there is another place in town- should I try it. I would feel bad though because my instructor has been so great!
Frustrated.

[Sean]

Well if I were you I'd check out the other place and watch a few lessons. Some horses are like that and that is wrong, it sounds to me they are poorly trained. Don't worry, when I started I had many obsticals to over come and this is how it works. You shouldn't however be spending money if you get no results so I'd check out the other place.

[mariana]

When I started riding, I got on the slowest horses there were in the school. I would do about everything I could, and the horse would take 2 or 3 steps and stop. I think the instructors do that so that we won't be scared at first. I had to ask for a more forward going horse at about the 5th lesson, or else I'd be standing still... If those horses are the only ones in your level, you should really switch school. Or maybe you could ask your instructor to ride the horse before you do. That usually helps to get them going, as they know your instructor and are more inclined to answer his aids.

[~alison~*]

I agree w/having your instructor ride them first. But even the nicest and funnest instructors aren't or don't have the ability to keep your riding progressing. I would say try the other school out, and see which is the better of the two. Some things to look for are:

-First of all, watch some of the lessons taught at the other stables, and look to see if the instructor(s) is always around therefore it is a controlled environment.

-Are the horses stalls and the horses themselves kept clean?

These are only a few of the many things to look for when visiting, but I would say to go ahead and see if you like the other stables. It is ok if you feel bad about your instructor, but remember that if she/he is not helping you to go further w/your riding, you need a different one. I hope all works out well and as you like-keep us posted!!

[Gail May]

Dear Frustrated

I sympathise with your problem. I have tried two stables before arriving at a third where I am coming on in leaps and bounds.

My confidence has increased no end, and when I outgrow one horse, I am given another mount who is more forward going in order for me to progress and gain experience of riding different horses.

I know that it is difficult when you feel loyal but to progress you may have to travel around before finding a stable which suits you.

Best of luck with your future riding.

Kind regards

Gail

[Jo]

Hi Frustrated!
I get to use a variety of horses and I have found that getting the instructor on a reluctant horse works wonders. A fortnight ago I was put on the school's most energetic of mounts and he simply wouldn't do anything for me. Without stirrups, he plodded round and I couldn't even get a trot going. I felt so frustrated I almost cried! My instructor said I switched him off and it's best to do that thatn to make a horse really sparky and ready to fly. Maybe, like me, you are not nervy and tend to relax your horses. I now always try to be "up for it" in the hope I'll communicate a little energy to my horse. Be patient - it may all fall into place yet.

[Hayley]

hi! I'm Frustrated(thats the name I used)!:~)
Well,
After another lesson that left me depressed,
I decided to stop taking there for awhile(to seem like I'm not interested, so that I'll gradually work up going to that other place.)
Yes The horse DOES fine with the insructor but thats because like I said,
she is their "MOM", but also they are
gentle and everything but they are undertrained so they only do stuff if the instructor does it cause she is very experienced and is more of a teacher.
They know when the student rides them and so they act up NO MATTER what you do.I think its cause they are green(though gentle) and really need an experienced person working w/ them constantly(which she doesn't)!!!

WHEN I SAY STUFF.... I mean like really basic stuff! Turning,troting,diagonals....(which I can do easily with other horses before I moved here(towns)
THATS ALL THEY KNOW HOW TO DO!
That dont know any basic dressage stuff, not even leg yields! So How am I supposed to learn? The next horse up is really experienced but spooks easy and is a handful(I am not to that level yet)
GOOD NEWS....
I have my first lesson at the other place
(turns out to be a jumping place,which i wanted to do in the first place)
NEXT TUESDAY! Wish me luck
Frustrated! aka Hayley

[~alison~*]

Good Luck Hayley, and I hope it is what you are looking for!!! Alison

[Terese]

Hi
You could ask for a different horse. Your current horses sound undertrained to me. Have you talked to your instructer about the horses? I doubt its your fault.
If you can't use a different horse or get any help you may have to change stables.

[cynthia]

um, terese?

you're posting replies to threads that were over several *months* ago. just letting you know... you might want to check teh date *before* you post!

:)

-cynthia

[Horselover2]

Hi there frustrated! Don't give up just yet on your current stable. My guess is that the horses are so well trained that they are bored with their job. Ask your instructor for more help with your aids. Many times lesson horses seem to be "dead to the leg" because they know they can get away with it with a novice. Hang in there! :)

HL2

[This message has been edited by Horselover2 (edited 16 November 1999).]