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Kizzys Mum
Silver Member
England
389 Posts |
 Posted - 14 Oct 2008 : 6:04:22 PM
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I have been having a few issues with Kira as may have been gathered from some of my posts, I have an RA coming out soon to come and help us get back on the right track so am happier about that.
However it has made me realise how long I have been out of "learning" in horsemanship, I will hopefully next year be riding Kira and have a horrible feeling that my comfy riding will not quite be up to scratch with her as she's very clever and I will need to ride "properly".
I am considering because of this getting some ridden training now, so that when the time comes i'm more confident that my riding will not teach her bad habbits etc.
What do you think, is it worth it?
I have a couple of options if I go ahead.
I can book riding lessons at the local school on one of their own horses
I can book riding lessons at the local school on my other pony Bramble (she's 6yrs and really well behaved)
Or I can get an instructor to come to me and I ride Bramble at home
The RS is an easy walk from the yard so no major nasty distances etc
What do you think, do I give it a go? If I do which option would you go for?
I am not a novice and have had a lot of riding lessons in the past just a break of about 6yrs, I hope to low level event Kira so will one day need lessons anyway
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phoenixbruka
Gold Member
England
1190 Posts |
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mogwai
Platinum Member
England
2717 Posts |
Posted - 14 Oct 2008 : 6:40:45 PM
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I think it's a brilliant idea, and not one i'm not familiar with. I have 2 2 year olds that i hope to back myself. However, i'm not getting much practice myslef other than the odd hack around the block with my loan pony 13h Chloe  . So the plan is to have a course of lessons in the spring of next year to ease me back into it as it were, and another course the following spring when i back her (if she's ready for it ).
I think it's great you're thinking of positive ways to make it easier for her and fun for both of you. I'm sure you'll have a very happy partnership
Ros |
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Honeyb060674
Platinum Member
United Kingdom
4301 Posts |
Posted - 14 Oct 2008 : 6:45:14 PM
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Brilliant idea! I think most horse owners would benefit from the odd lesson from a good instructor, I know a few friends of mine that have lessons on their horses & it benefit both. Personally I'd opt for your own horse, some RS horses are a bit tuned out. Why not have lessons at home & at the RS (if its the same instructor) A change of scenery can make things a bit more interesting  |
      
Claire & Sunny x
http://sunnyandclaire.blogspot.com/ |
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TanyaB
Bronze Member
United Kingdom
147 Posts |
Posted - 14 Oct 2008 : 6:46:45 PM
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There is a true saying that 'horses teach humans' so I think that any lesson on an experienced schoolmaster is worth its weight in gold, as you then have the right 'feel' to be able to teach this to your own horse, as you know when it feels right; trying to teach your horse something that you don't know is very hard work!
So there is much to be said for both having lessons on your own horse, and also on an experienced horse. |
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saddlebred
Platinum Member
United Kingdom
1706 Posts |
Posted - 14 Oct 2008 : 8:27:38 PM
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Have to agree with TanyaB on this one. My friend and I have just started having lessons with our old instructor and are trying to undo 20 years worth of "bad habits". Even though our horses where pretty good to start with, I think the improvement may be the difference between getting placed and getting a first.
There is so much more that a person on the ground can see that you cant necessarily feel on a horse - no matter how experienced you are.
We have also found that when we have come up against a particular brick wall with our horses, if we swap over - or ride my old schoolmistress who is one of those dream horses who goes on the bit with perfect impulsion and feel ALL the time - it really helps to understand where we are going wrong.
Good luck with whatever you decide to do. I am sure it will pay dividends in the end. |
Based Bewdley Worcs |
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crinks
Gold Member
England
650 Posts |
Posted - 14 Oct 2008 : 8:27:44 PM
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| YO gives Madmare lessons, but she also books a lesson or two at a very good local yard on their horses as well. |
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trinity
Gold Member
Scotland
1126 Posts |
Posted - 14 Oct 2008 : 9:24:59 PM
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| If you can you should try and get lessons on your horse and on other horses as well. I have several horses to ride, and have an instructor who comes in to teach, but I still go and get lessons at local RS as well. There is nothing more valuable than learning to ride lots of different horses, and its amazing how much you can pick up that will become useful on your own horses. JMO. |
Beck |
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madmare
Platinum Member
England
2129 Posts |
Posted - 14 Oct 2008 : 11:56:42 PM
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must add I get yelled at A LOT from my YO!!!!
I have some bloomin awful habits that I seriously need to get sorted before I pass them on to Shakaya!!! Like looking at the floor when I am trotting (I got into that habit from checking diagonals, and I forget to look up again!)
Have lessons at home and at RS....will help!
Emma xx |
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tamila
Platinum Member
England
2532 Posts |
Posted - 15 Oct 2008 : 06:47:02 AM
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Good idea to do it on your own horse, Everyone needs lessons at some time even the very top riders do as you can see more from the ground than from sitting on top.
I went back to riding after 7 years and had some lessons which were invaluable. |
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Kizzys Mum
Silver Member
England
389 Posts |
Posted - 15 Oct 2008 : 07:25:12 AM
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Thanks guys, I think I will have a chat with a couple of the instructors and see what they suggest re my own horse, a mixture or school horse
Glad i'm not being mad suggesting it though, madmare I look down a lot too  |
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Delyth
Gold Member
United Kingdom
1425 Posts |
Posted - 15 Oct 2008 : 07:57:50 AM
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Hi there - hope Kira is behaving !!! Just remember she is only three - I'd leave for another 12/18 months personally. Amaretto was 5 I think when he was here and was just a big kid - he's a different horse now. I know my Amaretto filly would be hard work to break now she's the same age as Kira......again a big baby mentally !!! Egyptians are renowned for being late developers and she's out of a Ffatal daughter !!!! He's still a big kid 
Didn't quite answer this question I know !! |
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Karon
Gold Member
England
1411 Posts |
Posted - 15 Oct 2008 : 08:16:46 AM
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I'd have lessons on one of my own horses, in your case not Kira as I think she's too young to benefit from lessons and would be best left at least another year before you start having lessons on her. And - as I know only too well! - improving your riding on another horse first is going to help a lot when you start riding her more.
I've had some great Enlightened Equitation lessons with my Arabs and it's something that really suits them (it helps that my instructor likes Arabs). |
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Kizzys Mum
Silver Member
England
389 Posts |
Posted - 15 Oct 2008 : 7:57:09 PM
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Delyth don't worry I sat on her briefly this year and realised she is not anywhere near ready, just want to make sure i'm a decent rider when we get there
(she is naughty though just managed to break my finger )she's exactly as you describe ffatal a real baby, have an RA coming out to start us off with groundwork exercises to try and get a better bond and spook proof her a bit etc but other than that just gonna walk out in hand and have fun until next summer at least, it wouldn't surprise me if I have another year to wait on top of that, but we should be well prepared when the time comes I don't tend to ride my other pony too much atm so in no rush especially not with grim old winter on the way
Still absolutly adore her though just wanna be the best owner I can be for her |
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templars
Platinum Member
England
1852 Posts |
Posted - 16 Oct 2008 : 12:16:40 AM
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If I were you....
Try some lessons on Bramble at your riding school and then, ask for lessons at your own yard on Bramble but make sure that Kira can see you having the lessons.
Our young mare Bumble was completely green and we had horrendous problems when we got her. She had been backed and was super at dressage but just wouldn't jump the first fence when at a competition (no problem at home).
So, we took her with her best friend, the beautiful and talented Taragun anhd just competed Taz. Bumble stood at the side of the collecting ring and the competition ring and watched. Next competition, she watched again, then had a go herself. And she did it!!!! It's taken a few sessions for her to get more confident but it's amazing how much she picks up from the other horses. Now, at every competition, we take time out to allow Bumble to watch all the phases and it relaxes her and we always get better results if she has had chance to watch.
When we were at Draycott earlier this year, she was tied up next to the wagon and she started watching the horse at the next wagon. We were inside having a brew but we could see her through the open door. It was sooooo funny. When the other horse ate, she ate. When the other horse whinnied, she whinnied. Then the other horse crossed its back legs and lo and behold, Bumble crossed her back legs!!
It's wonderful watching them learn from another horse and since realising how much of an influence it's had on Bumble, we now let all the babies watch.
I'd agree with Delyth though - no need for a rush. We don't back the pure breds until they are 5 or 6.
Have terrific fun with her. Lots of time and patience and no goals other than having fun until she has got her confidence. She'll let you know when she's ready - you can't force it. If you work with her, you'll just feel it.
And as for eventing, you can take her out now on a lead rein (or maybe lead her from Bramble). Take her to a cross country course and just lead her round - over jumps and through water. Have fun, laugh, splash her, cheer when she jumps but don't get mad if she doesn't. You jump the jump first. We do this with all ours. Even if you are just out for a walk or leading to the field, make her walk through puddles, make her stop when you want by training her to stop when you use your voice.
You're so lucky - you have a completely blank sheet and you can build up the bond and train her to listen to you and do things your way without having to undo any hang ups.
Main thing is - stop worrying!!!!! Just enjoy one another and treat her as a friend. You'll have good days and bad days. Don't beat yourself up if you have a bad day - it makes the good days better!!!!! |
   www.eviepeel.com    |
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madmare
Platinum Member
England
2129 Posts |
Posted - 16 Oct 2008 : 01:04:27 AM
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Rachelle..just got a mental image of Bumble falling over cos she has crossed her legs!!!! Exactly the same when I knew her!!!! Silly mare!!!!!!!
Have just noticed that me and Evie were in the same dressage class at the Classic in 2007.....saw Bumble's name, but didn't really register!!!!!!
Emma xx |
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Zan
Platinum Member
Scotland
3213 Posts |
Posted - 16 Oct 2008 : 09:16:02 AM
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| No one is ever finished learning with riding---it is an ongoing process I wouldn't see it as "going back to school" for a short refresher course, but would try to find a good instructor you are in tune with and keep getting lessons forever and ever. |
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