Lessons

[sageandonion]

Not really a moan, just an observation and something I don't understand.

I read numerous threads and questions which make it obvious people are prepared to spend their money on various bits, devices, ear plugs, grooming products, false tails, magnets and other weird things to make their horses magically go better. This also applies to other behaviour and in hand issues. Whilst I know the odd tip for a small thing is great, the very thought of perhaps having a riding lesson seems to be a no, no.

Yes in these times lessons can seem expensive, but it is clear it money is being spent (and in my view thrown away) on other fixes.

Is it just me that swears by lessons?

[bundle]

We love lessons and I see Marjorie and Richard Ramsay are doing a Masterclass in Cheshire next week. They are wonderful teachers and anyone who has the chance should go.

[09rebel99]

Sageandonion I agree! People do spend a lot of money on quick fixes and the advice of such and such a friend instead of getting a good instructor!
Wish I could still have lessons but my boys to old :-(

[mollymalone]

I enjoy my lessons - my instructor is now a good friend and going to her has provided me with lots of opportunities I wouldn't have had.
I focus more on training during the winter than on competing; in the summer it can be hard to fit lessons around competing, but I never stop learning.

[sellyblue]

I'm all for regular lessons with a good instructor there's many out there that are I think just wanting to take your money mind!

[LucyHebditch]

Noooo you're not the only one!!! I have a lesson as I can with Amanda Gilman (dressage), i swear by them, i'm not ashamed to say that I get a little lost after a few weeks with no help and it's clear that I need a top up on all the info with a little extra added in too! I love them and if it wasn't for them i would still be riding with with bent wrists, tap tapping with my heels constantly, stirrups too shorts and tipped forward... Sounds horrible i know but too many showing people ride like this and it's purely down to constant lessons that stopped me from doing it! Even the greatest riders in this country have tuition, where would they be without it?

[rhosyn]

Nope you aren't the only one. Unfortunately however not everyone will concede that there are things to learn from more (or just as) experienced people.

I for one believe that you never ever stopping learning about horses and the best thing to do is glean greedily every scrap of knowledge that you can.

I hate gadgets etc and I would class myself as a pretty experienced horseperson but I will also freely admit that there is so so much I don't know. Until you admit that you effectively put a cap on your learning and will probably run into tons of problems when you encounter something you've not come across before.

[GinaGeo]

I love my lessons and do get lost without them! They give me exercises to ride to help my horse and correct me and my seat. They've made me mature as a rider and I'd no way be where I am without help.

[armada]

Bane of my life.
Like you say, people want the quick fix gadget of any type to magically sort a problem, rather than saving their money, and getting a suitably qualified instructor in to help.
As a youngster my mum invested heavily in my having lessons, every week, year in year out, I still have faults, collapsing at the waist being my longest standing, and a new one has manifested on the left rein recently - leading with the inside shoulder, BUT, I have someone on the ground who is knowlegable to tell me these things AND I also have someone in weekly at a cost of £30 an hour to ride my young horse, and to talk through any issues and problems I feel I have.
Its invaluable, I never stop learning, and am not so up my own backside to realise there are those out there who have a broader knowledge than me.
If my current instructor who rides at Inter level, and is a BD list 2a judge, and a friend who was on the 1968 Olympic event team find they need lessons to stay in the game - who am I to think I dont?
Its saved me a fortune in fancy bits and gadgets, and my horse is happy and improving in his way of going and therefore so am I (although I must admit, £70 for a bit - am I mad?, no just making a worthwhile and suitable investment).
And just to also add, so many people want to be Carl Hester or whoever overnight, and think they are wasting their money if their horse is'nt going at medium from prelim level after one hour after they've brought someone who knows their onions into school it, this recently happened to a friend of mine, who said in no way will this horse do the test you require it to after one hour lesson, and she was promptly told she did'nt have a clue what she was doing, and what exactly gave her the right to say this, what experience did she actually have?
I'll leave it to your imagination what she did say, as she is eminently qualified with an enviable track record at top level, but as she says, you quickly realise they have forgotten more than you will ever know as they have ridden quite a few tests at Grand-Prix level, but only from the comfort of the armchair but it cant be that hard really, can it?

[bow1607]

or there is the "I shall ask for advice and then get abusive if you tell me something I don't want to hear" brigade!
I love having lessons, I have been riding for 24 years but am still learning and the difference having someone on the ground is fantastic!

[showingfanatic]

I love having lessons, gives me a good kick up the ar*e when I need it. And the advice given is invaluable. I generally have a lesson with a showing instructor once a week through winter/early spring, but it gets difficult in summer when competing and having financial commitments else wear. So I tend to go at it solo through that time, though I wouldn't hesitate to get my instructor out if a problem arose.

[reachforthestars]

i agree!! people think that buying training equipment and things will make everything better, but really you could do it all yourself by just ahving lessons

[laurajazmine]

I have up to 2 lessons a week now with a dressage instructor. I have noticed so much difference. It does me the world of good

I find that looking through many threads.. People dont like being advised to have lessons. Its like your saying they cant ride.

[missydp]

I have 3 a week and am constantly learning, there is always something to address and improve! And there always those days where it all goes Pete Tong and having someone on the ground to talk u through is invaluable. Don't think I will ever stop!

[sarahp]

I'm with you S&O, I loved my lessons with the crowning joy being riding my old instructor's retired Advanced medium horse, I learned so so much from that. And why do people think a new gadget/bit will magically transform their horse without them understanding why they are using it or how to get the best from it - that's if it's necessary in the first place? It doesn't happen like that.

All the top riders have lessons - although they would probably not call them that, but instruction from their trainers, same thing though!

[horseylady]

I have to agree with you S&O.. i see it all the time in the show ring, no one seems to be able to ride these days!! They ride round with ponies heads in and arse end trailing behind No one rides the corners, No control, no balance, no harmony absolutely nothing, hands low and see sawing on mouth, kick kick kick all the way round!!! makes me cringe every time and sometimes when i am asked for feed back i feel the urge to say many a time ' hmm weekly riding lessons may not go a miss'

[Karen, garrettponies]

With you all the way S & O on this. So much emphasis is on the latest bit to get the instant outline blah blah blah. Makes me mad. When I was young we rode in snaffles or pelhams in the ring with ponies, no such thing as a wilkie in those days. I wholeheartedly think lessons are so important, someone else can pick up on the teeniest rider fault that, when corrected, makes such a difference without a gadget in sight.

Don't get me started on kick, kick, kicking........................

[snowflake]

I agree S&O, we have just been to a teach in today & it was fab! A lot of the time, people think problems with the ponies can be fixed by a bit, when a lot of the time, the pony is still a novice as is the rider, & they just need some lessons bonding & working together. That's why the professionals jockies ponies go so well, as they have lots & lots of lessons! ;D

[guest]

I agree, especially for children. The standard of riding you sometimes see is not great.

Anybody can sit and be a passenger on a horse or pony but that is not riding or learning to ride.

My children have regular lessons every week and then practice what they have learnt in between. This also stops them becoming complacent.

[honeybees]

I still have regular lessons, although some times only once a month...but there is always questions I save up to ask her when I see her

[beachbum12]

With you on this , my son has lessons every week on his pony , I have invested a lot into them and all this year simply went out to less shows to afford them , its more important imo for him to learn to ride well, I have even started up some lessons myself recently having been a happy hacker for a few years and just done drag hunting. Its amazing how a few lessons have changed my horse and my bad habits were there, you never stop learning all your life . I was never the best flat rider , but am enjoying the lessons at the moment...and for my son I feel they are an absolute necessity if he wants to compete.