I've been riding for about 3-4 years but since it's not that long I'll put this here. I go to a riding school once every week as my budget doesn't allow more than that and everything's been going fine, I'm learning a lot, the people are nice, and we always switch between arena work and hacks. Some younger kids joined lessons recently (I have no problem with this as they are really nice) but ever since they've joined the time slots I use we've only really been going out on hacks. (Im not blaming them either) I feel like I'm not progressing anymore with riding and it's gotten quite boring. I've always brushed it off as the lessons are quite late in the day and the horses might be tired but we've only been going on hacks for around a month. I've tried requesting earlier times to ride but the horse that I'm comfortable with isn't available then. I haven't even trotted for around a month, We've only walked for 45 mins - 1 hour. I'm just wondering if it's something I've done, if somethings going on with the stables or if I'm just being difficult. I'm just upset that something I was so passionate about is becoming boring so I would like some insight.
Is there a reason why my instructor is only bringing me out on hacks?
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Why not talk to your instructor? Explain that you were enjoying the arena work and while you like the odd hack you're getting bored with it when that's all you seem to be doing. If they can't arrange a suitable mix of arena lessons and hacking then maybe you need to look at another school.
I dont think it is the hacks that are the problem.
Being able to hack out both in company and alone is a serious step in learning to ride and in the UK hacking is not usually allowed (ref BHS) till the rider can canter.
But before they can canter, new riders need to learn to trot and riding European that means learning rising or posting trot as well as sitting trot.
It also seems strange that you can ride only one horse. Or feel comfortable on only one horse?
Most of my riding has been on 3 regular and well liked horses but when learning any skill, the question of competence comes in.
For my first year of lessons I was mainly on one elderly gelding cob. But new riders eventually need to get used to riding different ponies and horses - and over the years I did that. But I also had a situation where an RS repeatedly put me on a mare that was too wide for me, and as @Carthourse says, the remedy may to be to look for another RS. My advice is always to part on good terms. Horses at RSs grow old and move on, so it may one day suit you to return to a RS you have previously left.
Being able to hack out both in company and alone is a serious step in learning to ride and in the UK hacking is not usually allowed (ref BHS) till the rider can canter.
But before they can canter, new riders need to learn to trot and riding European that means learning rising or posting trot as well as sitting trot.
It also seems strange that you can ride only one horse. Or feel comfortable on only one horse?
Most of my riding has been on 3 regular and well liked horses but when learning any skill, the question of competence comes in.
For my first year of lessons I was mainly on one elderly gelding cob. But new riders eventually need to get used to riding different ponies and horses - and over the years I did that. But I also had a situation where an RS repeatedly put me on a mare that was too wide for me, and as @Carthourse says, the remedy may to be to look for another RS. My advice is always to part on good terms. Horses at RSs grow old and move on, so it may one day suit you to return to a RS you have previously left.
I'm not in the UK, I know I call it hacking because that the word people around me use. I can ride other horses I'm just most comfortable on that one horse because I'm 5'9 and he's 16.2hh. I've ridden around 4 or 5 horses at the stable alone + other horses at different stables. My first few years I spent riding on different Clydesdales but the lesson horse I'm currently riding with is the right height for me. Other riding schools that I've been to are closed/closing down because they've either moved out of the country or the government is reclaiming the space.
You are taller than me. I am 5 ft 4. But the height of the rider does not dictate the size of the horse. Tall people can ride ponies and I have ridden at least one horse over 17 hands.
My RI told me not to buy a horse under 15 hands and I know that physically the fit is better for me. But there is more to riding than physical fit. There is communication between the horse and rider.
But in RSs what matter more is the weight of the rider. As she grew older, I had to keep my weight under 9 stone 7 lbs to ride my favourite Connie. Whereas my current horse can carry someone far heavier than I am.
What I have noticed is that a lighter rider and summer clothes means any horse moves more easily and may be sometimes too fast?
However the point is that both people and horses get bored doing the same thing over and over again. As @carthorse says, the only thing to do is to discuss it with the school.
But there is a sort of snag. What is it that you would like to learn? Many riders specialise once they have the basics. They do dressage or they jump. They learn how to teach horses to do things. This may involve going to a different school or teacher, at least for a time. Riding schools are quite happy to just go on taking your money week after week. One needs to thinks it over and ask for more.
Your ride is as fast as the weakest rider.
That is the only factor the riding school/instructor will take into account when you go out. So if someone is not up for anything else, ie faster, then that's you lumped into a slow non-learning ride.
I would talk to your instructor. It maybe the timing factor, ie you ride at a certain of the week, every week and that's just how it's ended up and no one had much of a clue or bothered to ask you what you want to get out of riding, ie learning.
You would be suprised just how many "happy hackers" are around who just want to potter along one way and then back home. To them, that is riding rather than actually learning anything.
Good luck. Communication is the key.
That is the only factor the riding school/instructor will take into account when you go out. So if someone is not up for anything else, ie faster, then that's you lumped into a slow non-learning ride.
I would talk to your instructor. It maybe the timing factor, ie you ride at a certain of the week, every week and that's just how it's ended up and no one had much of a clue or bothered to ask you what you want to get out of riding, ie learning.
You would be suprised just how many "happy hackers" are around who just want to potter along one way and then back home. To them, that is riding rather than actually learning anything.
Good luck. Communication is the key.
Just out of curiosity, where in the UK do you live? The cantering thing may be true for people with their own horses, but certainly isn’t for riding schools/trekking centres. Lead rein hacks at walk only and/or walk and trot are a thing, as is a walk only hack (don’t really see the point of them, though, personally), walk/trot hacks and then everything above those too, of course. Trekking centres wouldn’t make much money if they couldn’t take beginners out!
I am near a trekking centre who caters for everyone including those who can't ride. They go out on the lead rein or with someone walking beside them.
The mounts are absolute saints and know their job.
Walk only hacks will be for those people who do not know how to ride, are beginners or are nervous.
Don't knock just walking though if you ever go on to get your own you won't be doing daily fast rides as you will have a racehorse, or at least something competition fit and waiting to go somewhere with that energy
I live in the UK. Trecking centres are licenced and regulated differently from riding schools.
The restrictions from riding schools , they may be BHS recommendations, did not apply when I was young. We were taken out hacking for a treat on holiday from boarding schools. We were told to stand in our stirrups and that was canter.
The restrictions from riding schools , they may be BHS recommendations, did not apply when I was young. We were taken out hacking for a treat on holiday from boarding schools. We were told to stand in our stirrups and that was canter.
@Skib I know of a few BHS approved schools near me that will happily take people out on hacks before they can canter, they just don't canter on those hacks. I can't see why there would be any rule saying you have to be able to canter to hack a safe RS horse, after all where do you draw the line? Must be able to sit a spook, a whip round, or a buck? Good luck teaching those in the school! Must be able to jump a hedge in case the horse runs off and jumps one before the rider can stop? Maybe it's just a rule your school has rather than a BHS one.
Oh, I know that. I enjoy walking. I wouldn’t pay £50 for an hour of just walking, though. Not when I can get some variety elsewhere.I am near a trekking centre who caters for everyone including those who can't ride. They go out on the lead rein or with someone walking beside them.
The mounts are absolute saints and know their job.
Walk only hacks will be for those people who do not know how to ride, are beginners or are nervous.
Don't knock just walking though if you ever go on to get your own you won't be doing daily fast rides as you will have a racehorse, or at least something competition fit and waiting to go somewhere with that energy
I paid £50 for a lesson or a hack when I started riding 22 years ago. And still paid £50 a ride on my old share (hacking solo twice a week) . My rides now work out at £57.69 a ride, However, costs of keeping horses have risen. Our local RS prices for hacking have risen with inflation. to £65 for an hour's escorted hack. The difference between the RS and sharing is that in the old days I could alter my RS day and time if I had other things on, and I did not pay when I was away or ill. Now sharing, I pay anyway. In theory sharers can reschedule the rides they cant take.
Indeed! It’s only 40p more expensive for me to get to my favourite place over 40 miles away by bus AND have an hour’s hack there AND do another 40 miles back by bus.
So guess what I’m doing? It’s a very scenic route!
The only one which charges £25 for an hour’s hack near here is run by people with zero qualifications and no paperwork for you to fill out. I won’t be going back - I’m not supporting that. The one nearest me is £50/hour and there’s another that’s £100/hour! The place I have lessons (an independent school) is very reasonable for lessons but doesn’t offer hacks for outside riders. Probably an insurance thing.
@Nierva £100 an hour OMG! OMG!
Sometimes when I am out hacking I work out how much buying Sid and having Sid is costing me and what that might work out at per ride. Then I compare it to what I would pay if I was renting a horse, however you do that. At £50 a ride I think we're comfortably in the black, but £100 per ride, wow! Sid is a bargain!
Sometimes when I am out hacking I work out how much buying Sid and having Sid is costing me and what that might work out at per ride. Then I compare it to what I would pay if I was renting a horse, however you do that. At £50 a ride I think we're comfortably in the black, but £100 per ride, wow! Sid is a bargain!
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