Should I take up Horse-riding again...(beginner)?

Question

I started horse-riding lessons at the age of 19years old....I only ever had 9 lessons.

3 or 4 of these lessons were with a Dressage instructor. I really enjoyed her lessons because she was very calm all the time and I felt that I really understood what she wanted me to do. She also said that I had very "soft" horse-riding hands.

After that (and on the same horse - which was huuuuge) I had another lady instructing me. However, she pushed me too quickly I feel. I knew that I wasn't comfortable sitting in the "English" riding style when she wanted me to canter....I felt that I had no control over the horse, but the instructor pushed me to do it even though I was afraid and unready.

Anyway, I carried on with the lessons and the next lesson I began doing a long canter around the arena and then large trotting circles at either end out of the canter....I was still weary because I felt perched and felt like I was holding on for dear life.

That instructor was then away for a week and I rode with a completely different instructor and outside not in. She pushed me to do trotting poles ( I think that's what it was called - where the poles are set unevenly and you trot over them in jumping position). I felt that she was pushing me but she told me that she had spoken to the dressage instructor and felt that I had the ability to do it. I was riding a different horse to my normal one but everything went fine and I began to feel more confident riding.

The following week my instructor was back and I asked her if we could go back to something simpler instead of working on the canter. She insisted that I should do the canter work. This day, another woman asked me to swap horses with her because we had our lessons together and my horse was bigger than hers and she hated riding a tiny horse every time. The instructor assured me that the other lady's horse was extremely friendly and well schooled and that no-one had ever fallen off of him. I proceeded to the lesson and began to trot in order to go into a canter....unfortunately the horse took off before I was expecting it to and went extremely fast compared to the horse I was used to. His steps were bouncy and I lost the reigns. The instructor shouted at me to sit back in the saddle, and I did so but the horse did not stop. Then I held on to the saddle, but one of my feet slipped out the stirrups and I began to fall sideways.... Needless to say I ended up hitting the wall with my back and then the floor with my front. I was in alot of pain and couldn't sit down for two weeks. To this day I still get a pinched nerve hurting me when it gets cold. All the instructor said was that I should have fell down the other end because there was more sand and it would have been a softer fall. Anyway, she made me get straight back on and I just walked the horse around for one lap of the arena.

After that I decided to go to a different riding school for my 9th and final lesson. By this point I was in no ready state to try cantering again, and the horse I rode, being a well schooled dressage horse didn't help matters. He was extremely bouncy when trotting and just trotting I nearly fell off. He responded to the instructor instead of to me, so he was going into trot before I was ready to.

After that I just have been to unsure of myself to try again. I really loved some of the lessons I had but learning to canter was just terrible. I would really really love to try horse-riding again but I just don't know if I am cut out for it. I was told that I caused the horse to bolt with me on it, and I really don't know if I should try horse-riding again if I am going to cause a horse to do that again. The strange thing was that at the begining of my lessons I was really intimidated by the large horse I was riding, but by having that experience and riding another smaller horse I fould the first horse I rode very gentle and smooth to ride. Maybe it is just the horse, or maybe because I was used to the horse I was riding, or maybe I just suck lol.

Any advice would be great.

xx

Answer 1

Any riding instructor asking a beginner to canter after only a few lessons should be shot.  I've ridden western for over thirty years and started actively studying dressage in just the last year.  I'm just now starting to work on the canter.  It is not unusual for a student to work only at the walk for several months, then only the walk and trot for several more.  Learning to correctly ride the rising (or posting) trot can actually take years.  That doesn't mean that the only thing you do for years is practice the rising trot. It means that these are skills that develop slowly and only with a lot of practice.  Riding, especially dressage, takes a great deal of balance, strength, and coordination, which is not learned in just a few lessons. The truth is, the faster you try to advance, the worse your progress will be.

Find another instructor.  You may have interview several before you find the right fit. Tell them that because of previous bad experiences you have some confidence issues and want to go S-L-O-W-L-Y.  A really good instructor will understand and respect this. A really good instructor will want you to go slowly, so you really master the skills.

There are very, very few "natural riders" in the world.  Everybody who rides today, even the Olympic dressage riders, was a beginner at some point. You do not suck at horseback riding. You are simply inexperienced and untrained. That can be fixed.  If you love horses and riding, and it sounds like you do, don't let a couple of lousy instructors ruin what can be the most exciting and gratifying of sports. I wouldn't be without my horses for anything in the world.  Good luck!

Answer 2

If you want to succeed you will fall and hurt your self!

But that is the part of the proccess of learning.

I suggets you start horse riding again! You sound like a keen rider and that is very goo because it means that you'll go far!

Btw im taking horse riding lessons again - i love canter i just started learning how to canter and i LOVE it!

Answer 3

Wow. Yes i agree to go back to your first instructor.

The other instructors sound horrible! A good instructor should never put you in a preventable dangerous situation like that. And shouldn't told you that you "fell off the wrong way". thats ridiculous.

There are just some trainers out there that couldn't care less about the rider's or horse's well being, so be very careful

Answer 4

The instructor who told you that you should have fallen off the other side deserves a good slap!  I can't believe someone would say something that cruel!  

I would say yes, try again.  Ask around and get recommendations for a riding school.  Maybe start off with a few hacks to get you comfortable and relaxed again in the saddle.  You could also try some lessons on a lunge line (where the horse is connected to a long line held by the instructor)  This will allow you to concentrate on your position and balance without having to worry about the speed or steering.  

And lastly, don't let anyone force you into doing something you aren't comfortable with, there is a great difference between gentle encouragement and being completely overfaced, and a good instructor won't do that.

Good luck to you!

Answer 5

I know completely how you feel about 4 or 5 years ago I stopped riding because of some really bad falls, but 2 years ago I started again  but wasn't sure about cantering, I was on this horse who I usually rode who was really quiet and calm but had a really fast canter I came off once but that did'nt stop me! I kept going and got better I'm still not completely sure about cantering but it does'nt bother me so much. the thing you said about a smaller horse being smoother means your riding 's quite good and you feel safer on a smaller horse.

I think you should go back to your old teacher and take it at your own pace and that will make you feel alot better!

Answer 6

I don't know where people find these hard-nosed trainers. Why should you work with a trainer that INSISTS you do cantering when you are not comfortable with it? Is this boot camp for the US Marine Corps or horseback riding?

Horseback riding is a luxury and not a necessity for most of us these days, so nobody should be forced to canter or do anything else if they don't feel up to it.

Well that being said, yes you should take up horseback riding again. But do it at your own pace. So:

1. Find a new trainer

2. If any trainer won't let you go at your own pace, fire them and get someone else.

3. Don't canter until you feel comfortable enough doing so.

David

http://gentlenaturalhorseman.blogspot.co...

Answer 7

GET BACK ON!!!  

Ask yourself if you reaaalllyy dont want to learn to ride..

You just really need to find a new trainer that understands you need to gain more confidence before even attempting the canter again. Not every trainer is right for every rider, if you find one that understands how you feel then you should feel more confortable riding. Keep in mind that you just started so you cant expect to be perfect after 9 lessons. And I never would be having a beginner cantering after so few lessons, especially when you are still having some difficulties at the trot, that is just a poor trainer with no patience. Im sure that if you have the desire to learn than you have the ability to be a decent rider.

So get back on there! just make sure you find a trainer that is a better fit with you, have a serious talk with the trainer before even getting on the horse to express your concerns. Your paying for the lessons, you need to make sure your pleased with the quality of instruction.

Best of luck, dont give up!  

Answer 8

you should deffinatly go for it again! life is too short to miss out on things..     and for the lessons try somewhere where u can ride western style    thats what i do and it is so much better that english. and its okay not to ride the same horse everytime because it makes you more confident in riding in general! and no matter how much the instructors insist on things.. that doesnt mean that you have to do something that you dont feel comfortable with.. and if you want you can try a couple of private lessons because that will give you a chance to show the instructor everything ans explaine what you dont feel comfortable with....

hope this helps!

Answer 9

If its something you want to do then look into it. I would look around and find a instructer that you realy like and can get along with. If you feel uncomferatable doing something you must stick up for youself and tell them, if they insist you do it be serious with them and telll tehm you are not comferatable yet to do it. My suggestion si try some western lesson first atleast when your cantering you can have the horn of the saddle to hold onto. Even though im a western rider and do prefer it more english is a great way to build your ballence and works your leg muscles alot, sometimes i wished I would have started to ride english before western.

Answer 10

Wow, you have had some difficult times.  I know exactly what the cantering problem is, and I would never have pushed you had you been my client.  I specialised in nervous people.

First of all, change the school.  You could write to the instructors at the last school that you were uncomfortable with and explain your feelings.  Writing is better as you can express yourself better without exploding.  Keep a copy. Send a copy to the yard manager or head instructor too.

Second at the new school ask for a few lunge lessons.  This will give you opportunity to concentrate on the position and to try and lengthen your legs and relax a bit more, while the instructor controls the horse.

With canter (and sitting trot) you were gripping with your thighs. 98o/o certain!  A natural reaction, but for comfort of riding, for you and the horse, not the right one, but you can be trained.  I know, I had these problems when I learned.

Keep at it.  If at first you do not succeed, try, try, try again.

Just because you do not like one instructor, does not mean we are all the same.  Riding is fantastic fun if you work at the basics first.

Good luck.  Enjoy.

Answer 11

go back to your first instructor. i was scared to death of trotting but i found a great horse that i had a bond with there and I eventually felt comfortable. My trainer one day just told me to kick with my outside leg and I cantered. It was awful the first few times I felt as if I was going to fly off! But once I got it then I felt comfortable.

You need to find a horse you like, and ask if you can groom and tack it for your lessons, it will make you feel more comfortable with your horse trust me!

Answer 12

I think you were unlucky and had some really rubbish instruction. Nobody should be cantering and jumping at that stage. Find a new place, explain to them what happened, ask if you can watch some of the instructors teaching and choose one you like. Ask if you can just 'hang around' for a few days before your first lesson, maybe helping with the horses. I think you'll be fine. I think you looked maybe too confident before and the instructors read you wrong. Don't be afraid to say 'no', it's your money after all

Answer 13

Yes! If you have a great love for Horses. But the way I teach my students is to be comfortable while they are learning to ride, if your not ready for the canter. You should stay with an easy trot. I would find a different instructor, and you should be put on a lot smoother horse, as a saddle bred. Your confidence will rebuild.

I am so sorry to hear about your fall, we will all take falls, but they should be far and few between, because Horses can be unpredictable.

Don't let anyone ask to change Horses with you again. This sounds like you got tricked into this. The smaller is choppy gated, and sounds unsuitable for teaching students. You need a smoother ride.

I wish you the best on your next, but Yes, I would go back.

But with a more reliable instructor.

Answer 14

Please read the whole thing!

Ok well its sounds like you have had a heck of an experience! I have to say, falling off makes you a better rider. Its never to late to start up again. Find a stable and tell the trainer your past experience and how you feel about cantering. Its good to get pushed but no to the point of hospital bills. I think that you should talk to a trainer and tell them you want (try again but no cantering at first) and what you dont want (to canter right away). They should fit your needs and if not, they arent the right type of trainer for you. I really think that you should have a goal though. Work up to cantering. I guarentee that that will be the only thing you will want to do when you learn it THE RIGHT WAY. Promise. I was a little bit like you. But I did it and now its a piece of cake. I have been riding for 4 years and have been taking lessons for 4 years and have been jumping for almost years. When you trust your horse you will feel amazing and very comfortable.

Hope I help and please please try it again. Work up your courage to canter and find a good trainer!

Good Luck!

Answer 15

You definitely need to start riding again! You sound like you would do better doing western instead of english. One thing that helps is to ask around and see if any friends or family or neighbors ride. Sometimes it is easier just to ride with someone you know and take things one step at a time so that you don't fell like you are always being bossed around. I would also advise you to get your own horse. Get one that would work best with the kind of riding you want to do. This way you will also know that this horse won;t listen to the instructor because it will listen to you. Also, try to get a bond between you and the horse you will be riding. Some ways to do this would be to brush it, feed it, rub it, give it treats, about anything. I hope I helped!

Answer 16

you should definitely take it up whilst your still young or i can garantee you will think when your old if only i had of continued riding :)

Answer 17

You should take lessons, I got scared once and i wasnt going to go ridin g again, but then i did and i enjoyed myself even more because i had missed it! ! !

Answer 18

Go back to your first instructor, or find another one the you feel comfortable with

Answer 19

Wow, you poor girl! First of all, these instructors need to understand that YOU are paying THEM! If you are paying for a lesson, it should be at YOUR comfort level. I would definitely shop around for an instructor (and as others mentioned, try to get your first instructor who was so patient) and sit down and meet with them before agreeing to anything. Explain to them your past experiences and how frightened they have made you, even to the point of not getting on a horse again. Make it clear that you are in need of someone who will take you all the way back to the basics, and work forward with you at a pace in which you are comfortable. I do not find this in any way or form an unreasonable request, especially being that you are paying them! And if they're not willing to do that, bring your business elsewhere--

Answer 20

Go back to your 1st instucotr! You should!!!

Answer 21

TAKE LESSONS!!! u sound really intereste and that is good start up u sound like u would be great!