I've been getting bored at current RS so tried another place nearby. First time the horse i was on was lovely, big heavy and very lazy. It was very hard work to get him to trot let alone canter. I got 2 strides of canter at the most from him and the instructor just kept saying 'smack him with the stick and again and again'. I don't mind a tap with the stick to back up my leg and voice aids but im not up for beating them half to death. So next time the girl says i should try horseC who is more forward. He was. More forward than any that i've ridden at usual RS. It was fine but he felt really strong to me, like when i asked him to stop he just kept going so i asked again, and again and eventuallt with alot of effort he'd slow and if i was very persistant, eventually stop. Is this what is called strong? I never know exactly what these terms mean, Is one persons strong not another persons strong? Am i making sense.??
So i phoned for another lesson and explained this as above and asked for the horse that falls between the horseA and horseC (horseB!)
The girl said 'ok i'll put down you didn't feel safe on C and would prefer B.'
So i explained that it wasn't so much that i didn't feel safe just that i didn't feel he had easy/good brakes. But i felt a little defensive because the truth is i just prefer a steadier pace, a horse who goes with maybe a bit of effort but not by beating them constantly with the crop and a horse who stops when i ask at least by the second request.
I wouldn't say i was particularly woosy but i want to be going at a pace where i can think about improving my riding not think whey haaa here we go and zooming around at quite a speed. She just said oh he is forward going but even after the lesson on him one of the other girls who works there said 'was that fun' and i replied 'yes but the opposite of horse A' to which she said 'yes like help where are the brakes?!'
Am i being all over sensitive. I have got horrendous PMT so tis very possible i am! Please be gentle with me.......
I'm with you, I think you're being very conscious of wanting to concentrate on your own riding without having to worry about the horse being too backward or forward at the moment. Only thing I would suggest is that it could be difficult to find that happy medium - I've got the huge heavy strong slowish horse without the brakes - be careful what you wish for!!
Is it possible that half of learning to ride is really about learning to work with different horses.... just a thought?
Anyway, good luck with your next lesson, hope Horse B turns out to be the right one for you, its good that you can be honest and say what you think.
I did consider the concept that riding different horses and getting used to handling different things is all part of learning but for the moment io'd like to find one who i can get going nicely without getting taken for a ride so to speak! There is one who is near perfect at my regular place but he gets snapped up by other people so much i hardly get to ride him.
Its all a learning curve so we'll see how horse B feels! Its funny i'd rather have lessons on C if A and C were the only 2 options but if it was 2 horses for sale i'd buy A! Fat and stubborn all the way! (don't the say owners are like their pets??!!)
We all have our preferences when it comes to the type of horses we like to ride and I think it is great that you feel able to talk to your new RS about yours and that they are taking the time and effort to get to know you and accomodate yours.
I've always prefered horses you have to stop rather than those that you have to start. That's because the ones I have to start bring out my worst riding habits like raising up my heels to apply stronger aids
I know exactly where you are coming from with this. Dont think its unreasonable either to want and 'inbetween' one to let you concentrate on polishing up your skills without either being tanked with and having to find brakes all the time, nor wanting to beat a horse half to death just to get a reasonable pace going!
Think horse A is probably a typical dead to the leg RS horse - but have known people buy these and get them home - feed them up, lower their work level, have a bit of fun hacking and find themselves with a suprisingly forward going ride
also think that the horse you are describing is the type most of us would want to buy/own given the chance - rare as hens teeth IMO
Any chance of pre booking the 'near perfect' one at your regular place?
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Whoever said money can't buy happiness didn't know where to buy a horse!
it may also be that you are riding horses which are used to ignoring aids, which many horses in a school tend to be, they ignore the rider unless you are quite positive about what you want.
don't see the point in hitting with a stick all the time to get horse going, he should really move from first tap, and if not then brought back or circled and asked again till he does move from the aid.
the other one is sort of doing the evasion in reverse. you might find it useful to have some lessons on lunge rein where you can concentrate on what you are doing and not have to do all the control.
I'm very envious as hubby and I have just returned from the Highlands and then Edinburgh after a far too short break minus our 7 year daughter.
I loved the Highlands and we are certainly going to be heading back up to your neck of the woods again when we can
Well next time you visit you must try going for a highland pony trek at Cougie. Its a fab place if you want to see beautiful countryside on the back of a lovely highland. The terrain these ponies go over is amazing and the Glen Affric scenery is breathtaking.
My friend flump1967 on here has just bought the most stunning Highland and he is such a gent and so comfy to ride.
I was amazed though because I was trawling the shops in Edinburgh and around Loch Ness for some lovely Highland Pony themed gifts for her and there really weren't any except the postcard I did get
Anyway, I've gone off topic in a big way now, sorry
I know exactly where you are coming from with this. Dont think its unreasonable either to want and 'inbetween' one to let you concentrate on polishing up your skills without either being tanked with and having to find brakes all the time, nor wanting to beat a horse half to death just to get a reasonable pace going!
Think horse A is probably a typical dead to the leg RS horse - but have known people buy these and get them home - feed them up, lower their work level, have a bit of fun hacking and find themselves with a suprisingly forward going ride
also think that the horse you are describing is the type most of us would want to buy/own given the chance - rare as hens teeth IMO
Any chance of pre booking the 'near perfect' one at your regular place?
Interesting that you say you think most of us are after the type i'm describing as at my usual RS the instructor always laughs at my request for a fat lazy highland as she says most people prefer something with a bit of life in it. Maybe she means the 'younger clientele' certainley not i
My friend flump1967 on here has just bought the most stunning Highland and he is such a gent and so comfy to ride.
I was amazed though because I was trawling the shops in Edinburgh and around Loch Ness for some lovely Highland Pony themed gifts for her and there really weren't any except the postcard I did get
Anyway, I've gone off topic in a big way now, sorry
Not at all!
I live beside Loch Ness, i think you must have been going round my local shops!!! If so you were so so close to the amazing Cougie Treking place where they have loads of lovely highland ponies, i love going there, it is really relaxed and such a different experience to my riding lessons!
Well horse B was a star. Loved him. It was worth while asking. I felt he was forward going enough but not strong or fast. Instructor was lovely too. Definitely going back there and hopefully ride him again!
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