Lessons

[molly1973jade]

For those of who remember I started to ride in January this year and April this year packed in as realised that the riding school was teaching me wrong and also had a nasty fall which knocked my confidence.

I started to have lessons again in May with a new riding school and at first was going there but not enjoying it the weird thing is it felt like a chore a bit like when I was first learning to drive it was a thing I had to do but did not enjoy it.

On Saturday I had a lunge lesson to help with my balance and did not have the reins to hold on to as RI realised I was using the reins as though I got my balence from them. I managed trot without the reins and did various exercises putting my hands on head, shoulders etc and my confidence soared!!!!

Sounds trivial I know but I really, really enjoyed myself and cannot wait for my next lesson.This is something I have not felt since I had my fall.

I have not attempted canter yet but previously would have been terrified and dreaded it but now if they said to me in my next lesson we shall try canter I really don't mind.Although I have only done little it is a lot in my books as the difficult part was my prev RI taught me incorrectly and I have had to start from scratch and get rid of my bad habits.

One example of my old RI was first lesson I got on a horse no mention of how to hold my reins or if I was sitting correctly at all!!!!!!

In fact in the 3 months I learned there I think all I got was "sit up straight".

With my new RI she gives my examples of what I am doing wrong and how I can correct them.

Anyway sorry for being boring but feel excited today about my lesson on Saturday and cannot wait until my next lesson on Thursday

[Ebie Equestrian]

Where are you having your lessons now? Sounds like you have a great RI who is taking you at your own speed and building your confidence in the process.

[molly1973jade]

Pockerley at Beamish

I really like my instructor Jan she gives you loads of confidence and says things to make your head swell he he so you do feel as though you are doing it right

[fishiz3434]

Good on ya sounds like your having loads of fun and learning heaps of great riding skills
keeps having fun!

[curlycal]

glad to hear your enjoying your lessons again. sounds like you have a much better instructor now.I started learning in may and had a couple of falls, but I had a good lunge lesson a few weeks ago and am a lot more relaxed in canter now.

Cal

[molly1973jade]

It is weird as when on the lunge you have so much more confidence and you put all your trust and faith in the instructor

[Trewsers]

Glad you're enjoying your lessons again, its great when you look forward to them.:)

[Miriam]

Annabelle its not trivial at all. I'm so pleased that at long last you are starting to feel that confidence. Keep it up we will have you jumping and hacking out yet :D

[molly1973jade]

Hi Miriam

Yes I suppose eventually will have to learn jumping !!!:eek:

When you watch others they make it all look so easy don't they??

[Miriam]

Yep


Should we get Iz to give you lessons :p

[BeachRiding]

Well done!

[molly1973jade]

;) I think I shall give jumping a miss for the moment he he

[Danno]

Sorry to hear about your early experiences and your fall. Good for you for being persistent and getting back on the horse.

[molly1973jade]

Thanks Danno

[SpyGirl]

Lunge lessons are so amazing! I wish more people would build a good foundation for their seat on the lunge like you are. I'm glad you feel so much more confident now, I know how bad falls can shake one up!!

[molly1973jade]

yes lunge lessons are really good they do show you how to have good balance something I never had before. The same thing happened to my mate who I met at the previous riding school.She too left there for the same reasons as me and went to another school( not the same one as I am at now) They made her have lunge lessons for the first few weeks and she too had to start from scratch. She said it is amazing the difference she can feel in her riding from a few weeks of lunge lessons and feels really confident. She has now come off the lunge.

It is annoying to think how much money I have wasted at the old riding school:(

[Skib]

Not wasted money, no. When you learn to ride, any time on any horse and any situation is worth something as "saddle time". My OH thinks that "saddle time" is the key to learning to ride - like flying time when you learn to fly a plane.
However, I think it is brilliant you are having lunge lessons. I am the produce of lunge lessons too. Nothing better for blanace and safety.

As for going back to the beginning. I'd been riding for two years when I went for lunge lessons. And I asked the teacher to imagine I had never ridden before and to tell me everything from the beginning. I now ride "her" way. But one progresses faster because of the previous experience of riding.

I hope it all goes well for you now.

[girl-friday]

Hi Annabelle,

Just wanted to say well done for perservering with horse riding despite your bad experience. I have been riding since I was a small child but still have trouble sometimes with my nerves because the 'no fear' factor tends to leave us when we grow up. Horse riding is a very brave pasttime to take up when you are already a fully grown adult, especially if you have never done it before. Stick with it and don't let anyone push you into what you don't want to do. It should never be a chore and if you don't enjoy what you are doing, it's time to take a step back otherwise you will just end up scaring yourself into not riding at all. And lets face it, who wants to miss out on all those wonderful hours in the saddle

:)

[Miriam]

yes lunge lessons are really good they do show you how to have good balance something I never had before.

It is annoying to think how much money I have wasted at the old riding school:(


I so hate lunge lessons. I'm a lot worse on the lunge. Feel I have no control what so ever.


Know exactly what you meant there Annabelle

[Crazy Mare]

Well done.

So glad you're enjoying your riding lessons again :D :D :D

[molly1973jade]

Thanks everyone for your words of wisdom

[...rides again]

its good that you've found a better teacher and enjoying learning to ride.