Ethical Question re:Lessons

[Debutante]

I am currently taking lessons at a local riding school and like it quite well although I'm not overly ecstatic about their teaching techniques. I know I have a lot to learn and I want to make faster progress so I'm thinking of signing on for additional lessons at another school, on a different day of the week. What is the 'correct' protocol of a situation like this? I have NO intention of being underhanded or deceiving anyone. I want all parties to know what's going on because in my small town they WILL find out about one another anyway. Is this sort of thing 'frowned upon' or is it a commonly accepted practice? Any advice/comments would be appreciated.

Cheers,
Debutante

[Pennylane]

I think if they are professional they will understand. It happens all the time. You could say the new school has better hours for you. I agree it is best to get it out in the open. Good luck with your new school.
Pennylane:)

[Bebe]

I've done it, I even left one place to go to another and then went back to the first place for private lessons whilst having group lessons at the second yard. As long as you're upfront about it most yards accept it, even if they aren't ecstatic about it.

You may find that there are places that will give you a long talk about how 2 different instructors will confuse you. It might do but more often than not it works well and is at least worth a try.

Amanda

[Wally]

Go for it, you then have a wider view of teaching techniques and can discuss the pros and cons of each.

You won't get confused by having two instructors, you may be taught different methods, but then you can judge for yourself which works best for you and the horse you are on.

[Lancashire Lass]

I agree with Wally... and I did this myself about 8 months ago. I had been with one Instructor for around 12 months and felt that I was on a plateau and she wasn't pushing me hard enought, I felt we were working on the same things all the time, even when the results were good..... I decided to 'shop' around to find another Instructor to see what the difference would be.

I have now found a fantastic Instructor who really gets the best out of me and we gel very well...even though there aren't alot of pupils who would get on with her as, how can I put it, she 'doesn't suffer fools gladly and is extremely disciplined'!! - But this works really well for me (coming from a family with a father who was in the Police Force!, hence, I'm used to discipline if you get my drift!!).

So you give it a try

;)

[Katharine]

I went to the same riding school for years and (about 6 years ago) my favourite instuctor left and the new one really got on my nerves! I decided it was time to try somewhere else. I had a great time trying out different riding schools and learning new things in new ways. I then found my riding school that I stayed at until last summer. However I still went to have lessons at other places. I think it does you a lot of good to ride different horses in new places and have a different perspective on everything. Admittedly I went to some places where the instruction was pretty bad but I still got to ride a different horse and going once doesn't mean you have to go back!
I say go for it. Have lessons at as many different places from as many different people as possible. It can only make you a better rider.
Kat.xxx