Finding a good instructor for both horse and rider (me) in Dorset

[fimonkey]

Hi All.

I've decided to try an move on a bit from being a 'happy hacker' and have been taking private lessons at a local riding school, However the school ponies seem to be completely dead to the leg and hard mouthed compared to the horse I regularly ride.

I'm a novice rider (sometimes I feel worse now than when I started) and the horse I regularly ride is incredibly green. For most of her 9 years she's been sharing a field with goats and pleasing herself, though she has had some formal schooling as she responded very well when my friend rode her.

After discussion, I'd like to be able to find a good instuctor who would come to us and teach me HOW to school the horse I ride, how to improve her outline etc etc, and also how to improve MY riding, particularly with her.

Are there people willing to come and do that? If so how would I go about finding some-one and knowing that they're good? (Have actually asked at the stables I ride, and one of the girls there is coming up on Monday, but she does seem quite young, and I'm not sure about her experience with horses other than riding school nags).

How much is a reasonable rate?

I only have access to a field, as opposed to a school etc. Is this likely to bother an instructor?

Anything else I've completely overlooked? Is it even a good idea or should I just stick to the happy hacking?

I know, .. a novice rider and green horse do not match but as it's teh best I have I want to make the most of it!

Many thanks in advance for your replies.

Fi

[BillyBellman]

Hi! Well done you for making the leap!! :)

I would ask as many people as you can for referals and then call people up and talk to them about your position and what you'd like to achieve. Most will happily come to you and as long as the field is reasonably flat and isn't too muddy / slippery, I'm sure they'll cope just fine. If you have no joy with referals, go to the BHS website, where there is a list of BHS approved instructors. They list phone no's and emails, so just give them a go.

Try the instructors out too... not all instructors will suit you / your horse, so don't be afraid of trying a few! As for rates, I don't know where you are, but here in Oxon you can pay anything from £15 to £50 for a one hour private lesson!

Good luck and have fun! :)
Sx

[ColouredChaos]

Fi, where abouts in Dorset are you and I & a few other locals may be able to suggest suitable instructors.

Your field maybe ok, depending on terrain and how your horse works in her own home! you may want to see if on occassion there is a school within hacking distance!