Some questions about horse-back riding?

Question

Okay, I'm not purposely trying to complain or anything, I just need to set things straight. I feel like I'm getting no where in my riding lessons. I've been riding for 3 years on-and-off (I think 4 this September, I haven't really been counting) but I've hardly made any progress with my trainer for.. I think about a year or two years. I'm not jumping now, I'm mostly doing flat work.. sometimes courses over poles.. mostly walk/trot. Sometimes cantering, but hardly.. most lessons I don't even get to canter. I can, but I don't seem to practice it consistently. I just feel like nothing is improving, and that every week I go through the same drill of having a bad lesson no matter what my trainer or other trainers say about it. I just want to get somewhere, because I see all these other people showing and jumping in under a year, sometimes even months. I need reasonable suggestions on how to improve or get farther in my riding? My mom is going to talk to the owner about maybe leasing a horse

Answer 1

I had the same problem when I started riding. My trainer kept blaming me but she was not teaching me right. I also had to drive 1 hour+ to get there. I thought that there were no more barns but we finally found an amazing one and my trainer is a double national champion. I would suggest going to a county fair nearby and seeing where those people ride. I think that if you are only that far that it is time to find a new barn. Trust me there are more places to ride than you think. I have about 8 barns total that are close to my houses. ( FYI no that is not a typo it is houses!) You deserve to have the best riding experience you can.

I would NOT suggest leasing a horse because it is a big commitment that you need to be ready to handle anything. You can't just get on ride untack and be done you have to learn the horses routine. I would strongly suggest waiting to lease a horse until you found a better barn.

Also, dont just quit, be straight forward with your trainer(s) don't beat around the bush. Maybe they dont know what potential you have. ask them to let you ride freely for like 20 minutes or so and do everything that you can.

I hope this will help.. sorry you dont have a good barn

Happy trails

Horsezrmything

Answer 2

Don't worry about sounding like you're complaining cause I was in the same place as you in Feb. of this year... I felt like I wasn't being challenged or pushed to do anything and just kept shooting around the courses without any problems, but I started realizing my basic form was slowly getting worse so I went with one of my friends to her Dressage trainer and not only switched barns but pretty much disiplines even though I'm still jumping.

One of the problems about moving is that its a farther distance? Well the last barn I went to was 15 minutes from my house and my new one is about an hour and a half. the longer drive is so much more worth it though because the lessons are so unbelievably more productive. My horse and I ride so much more in sync and we continue to progress with each lesson. I had to cut back on my going though just because I have to make the whole trip last a day.(the friend who I go to my dressage lessons with only lives 2 miles away from my old hunter trainer and used to go there herself) It might not be super convenient to have to go that far but the results speak so so much more.

I also still have all of my friends from that barn as well, we talk just as much as we did when i went there.

But the first person you do NEED to speak with about your progress is your current trainer. It builds allies and builds you a good rep if you do leave considering it shows that you take your riding seriously. And you're the one paying for lessons meaning you're the one that needs to learn something. It is a business your trainer knows that but just explain you don't think things are going in the direction you want. Also no one has power over you, if your trainer doesn't listen or takes it a little hard, oh well they just lost part of thier income.

One thing I didn't have to worry about though is moving a horse since I keep them at home... Hope this helps! best wishes

Answer 3

ummm, you dont know how to canter yet you might be leasing a horse, not a good idea, expecialy if your getting know were with your riding,but talk to your teacher, or find a new one,tell her what you have told us good luck!xo

p.s i meen you arnt very good at cantering! lol sorry! not you carnt canter

Answer 4

Tell your trainer/instructor EXACTLY what you just told us. If you are paying for the lessons you don't sound as though you are getting your money's worth. And maybe the instructor you have now is limited and you need to go to someone else.

I would talk with the instructor BEFORE leasing a horse and get their side of the story. Maybe they think that you are not quite ready to go onto the next level.

Also, do you feel comfortable on the horse? Do you feel that YOU are in charge of this 1/2 ton animal or are you just sort of "along for the ride"? Just because you feel you may be ready, doesn't mean that you are.

Talk to the other people you've noticed that seem to be progressing faster. Maybe they can give you some insight.

Good luck. Hope this helps you.

Bless the animals. Sugar lumps to the horses, too!

Answer 5

this worked with me and my friends ask can i start cantering and jumping more and they should say yes this worked with my friends as i said

Answer 6

It sounds like you need to change barns/trainers.  When I was young, I obviously didn't know better and started at a dead-end stable.  They were great for teaching wtc but not for anything after that.  I stayed there way too long.  After a while, when I was older, I finally switched barns.  I improved so drastically after a few months, it was amazing.  

So, don't get stuck in a rut.  Leave your comfort zone, and try another barn.  What do you have to lose?   Worse-case-scenario, you can always go back.

Don't burn your bridges, though (i.e.--be nice about leaving, don't say anything mean)

Answer 7

If your trainer is the trainer of all these people who are showing and jumping you kind of just have to be honest with yourself- Some people are just better than others.

Answer 8

No dont lease a horse you just need a new instructor..

Answer 9

Well, if you havent started jumping yet, talk to your trainer about it or switch barns if you can.

Answer 10

I think instead of your mom talking to the owner about you leasing a horse, you should all (instructor, perhaps the owner, you and your mom)and have an evaluation meeting.  At this time tell your instructor what your goals are, how you feel about not progressing and be ready to hear the feedback.  The fact that she told you not to lease a horse and take more lessons was an indication that maybe you need more lessons and to invest your money into your education vs paying fees for something that isn't yours and wouldn't necessarily make you a better rider at this point.  Having the experience as you say to lease a horse is not as important as having the experience to ride and handle a horse.  Personally, I don't see the point in leasing a horse..maybe it is different in the hunter/jumper world..but for me why lease a horse and pay for its' upkeep so the owner doesn't have to when in my case, I was riding that horse anyway.  

You also said that you want to show her you can ride properly that you've done it before....that you need a chance to show her.  Don't you always ride to the best of your ability?  Maybe in your instructors mind you are lacking in consistency with your riding....perhaps just when you might progress to the next level..you regress back and you end up going back and forth and not forwards.

You seem to be sincere in wanting to move ahead it would be difficult to give suggestions to improve your riding when we don't know about your riding.  It takes determination, a will, the dedication, practice, ups and downs all to strengthen our skills.

So, go and have a heart to heart and clear the air and do your best all the time.

Good luck to you.