Lessons

[Fliverae]

Sorry this is long. Everything's a life story with me though.

About 5 years ago (it amazes me that it was that long ago) I really started to get into horses. I remember my rents sent me to a horse day camp and that really taught me a lot and I LOOOVED it. The crappy part was that I had broken my arm at the O.C. fair and thus couldn't ride, but I learned how to groom, and about colors and such, so I was pretty satisfied, but I did long for lessons.

So my wonderful parents got my sister lessons. Man was I pissed. I mean my sister didn't care anywhere near as much about horses as I did, and once I finally did get some lessons on me I knew I had much more potential. And albeit my memory about learning to ride is very fuzzy, I remember getting those few lessons was hard.

First i'd just take my sister's lessons when she was sick which was like 3 lessons in an entire year. I remember I did horse camp again. And eventually I did start getting my own weekly lessons, but by that point I think i was just really frustrated that my love or horses and riding hadn't been supported so I kinda gave up for a while.

Anywho, I'm back in the game, now more than ever (just got some brand new black ariat boots today), and am going to start taking lessons again, but due to this five year period of little horse experience, I'm just wondering if there's anything that I really need to remember, or have retaught.

[LadyLynn]

Listen: Listen to that instruction: If they say stay off, or the horse is this or that, or for you to do something you don't want to, you either don't ride that day, or you do what you are told.

These are the reasons:
1. If the horse is in a mood, you could get thrown and land on your head, and lessons are over for who knows how long.....................

2. Horses sense your mood, your anxieties too. And if you don't do as your told you could seriously get injured or killed.

3. If you don't obey your instructor chances are finding another one could take a very very long time.

My grandfather jockeyed horses, and I grew up around them, but sadly I'm somewhat afraid because I alongside other cousins watched my grandfather die in a horse accident.

Even though I would get on a horse out of respect for my grandfather who would not like the fact his granddaughter is afraid of horses, I can't now anyway beccause of some permanent injuries. But I still love to talk to them, and pet them

so: just do as your told, watch your attitude, and do what you can so your parents will feel you can handle riding lessons.

good luck.

[huntjumper25]

I agree with everything ladylynn has said accept she has forgotten to tell you about the most important thing. Instructors can be your best friend or a big pain in your behind (This is how I developed my additude problem). I strongly believe that having an attitude towards your instructor can be a good thing especially if he is holding you back in your riding. People tell you to be polite and do everything that your instructor tells you to do but instructors are people to and they make mistakes. They might think that you can't handle a horse or they might put you on a horse that is too much for you. The only person that knows their riding skills and what they can handle is not your instructor or your parents it is you. So if your instructor is treating you like crap go find another trainer dont do what i did and just wait around until he remembers that your still there. Dont be afraid to switch instructors if your like me and love riding and want to become the best at it you can't stick with one instructor for the rest of your life. You live in cali so finding another instructor wont be difficult. Another thing if your instructor acts like one of my former ones who says one day "you can show" and the next "you can't" just leave the bloke. I think i should create a new thread just to vent. Venting is a good thing.

[LadyLynn]

Just know this: yes you are the judge, and the jury so to speak about when it comes to learning to ride. What I am saying it Pay attention. If your teacher tells you the horse you are riding is having issues, pay heed to it. My cousin was being a horeses you know what when he was told, and rather than listen to the truth or the voice of reason he went for quite a ride, He was drug all over town hanging on for dear life to the horses tail. The streets at the time were unpaved and he was rather skinned up and bruised. Even if you are concerned about statues and progress if ou caon listen and obey your instructiors even if you do not like what you are being told you are further ahead in the ball game of learning than you think. However, yes, if your instructor is being cocky and refusind to help you progress in learning to ride, like anything and anyone change instructiors, and change it up so that you can learn to be an excellent rider.