|
Post by julz on Dec 22, 2005 19:30:48 GMT 1
You know your horse better than anyone, and i would never say that any horse need to be wound up in order to get it working, they are horses, not clocks!! A frined at my yard has recently changed instuctors from one that is an "I" to another friend of mine who teaches for pleasure, The I constanly lunged the pony to get the "ping" out of him and only succeeded in making the already nervous owner/rider more nervous. Since changeing she has competed in a very low key dressage show, in a walk and trot only test and did very well, the pony is now very relaxed and loves coming in to work. Get someone else who teaches to your liking, to aim to get the best out of your horse and not your horse out of his best, does that make sense? apologies, had dental sedation earlier and may still be having the effects!!
|
|
serenity
Intermediate Poster
Serenity is not freedom from the storm, but peace amid the storm
Posts: 152
|
Post by serenity on Dec 23, 2005 0:09:51 GMT 1
Now now wildrover you'll get us both in trouble with comments like that ! The different point of view was very welcome because I wanted to be sure I was being constructive about this & not just dismissing a different approach. By making me think about it & look back at what was said & when it really did make me see that this isn't what we need at the moment - it's not to do with fault or ability, just what suits us. To any of you that are interested I've arranged a lesson with a different teacher in the new year. In the mean time I'll take him back in the school to have some fun & hack about a bit. Julz you did make sense & I hope you're feeling ok now
|
|
|
Post by wildrover on Dec 23, 2005 0:13:04 GMT 1
Oh now Serenity ..... would not want to get you in twouble ......... then again ....... I still think I need some of that ............... As for the new instructor ........... what was your selection process?
|
|
|
Post by lucitania on Dec 23, 2005 0:30:12 GMT 1
I haven't read the whole thread, but every single point in your list makes me shake my head in disbelief. I would not waste a penny in a trainer like that..... Your horse is your partner, you work together, you can't achieve an equal partership by winding him up -this is very unkind- he will work at his best when he wants to work with you. If the trainer thinks that riding long and low puts the horse on the forehand, then she doesn;t know that much either....I am a mere novice myself, but at least I understand that for the horse to be worked in this position, he needs to be working through his back, his hocks underneath him. Your trainer obviously thinks the horse just drops his head and that's "long & low".... and the fourth point in particular is worrying.
I regularly ride a horse that despite being quite a nicely schooled dressage horse, needs a ton of leg and an electric bum to get going. If you tried to annoy him into working and just used force, he would simply wear you out and still refuse. I have a seriously good instructor; kind yet demanding, always thinking of the horse's point of view and teaching you to listen and understand, not to force. With her I have had this horse doing some pretty nice lateral work, show some extension and collection of paces and look for a relaxed and willing contact- these are big achievements for me. Especially so as I have achieved these thorugh the positive and encouraging ( to the horse) instruction that I get, having failed miserably using techniques such as kicking, using the whip, growling at him- was even told you can;'t ride this horse without spurs!
Don;t go back to this trainer- you will not find a common language using bullying tactics. If you tell us where you are, perhaps people can recommend tariners in your area.
|
|
serenity
Intermediate Poster
Serenity is not freedom from the storm, but peace amid the storm
Posts: 152
|
Post by serenity on Dec 23, 2005 1:08:30 GMT 1
Hi Wildrover this time I did a lot more asking around, not only about what they do & at what level but also about how they teach & what people's personal experiences are. Must have sounded like a right nosey cow! One sounded really promising so I rang her for a chat (spanish inquisition?) covering how she teaches, what she expects of a horse like mine, how she works towards things etc. After that I think only a lesson will tell if it's going to work. Lucitania I'm sure some of what this instructor had to say was valid, it wasn't a waste of time because I did pick up some useful tips & a few things to mull over. It probably doesn't help that there is a lot more to my horse than meets the eye, until people have dealt with him for a while they often misread us both - if they see the other side of him they don't tend to forget & are a lot more careful of him from then on! In all honesty he can sometimes look like he needs waking up but there are ways of doing this without blowing his mind & he often looks lazy until he's properly warmed up & ready to really work. The problem is I don't want to get things to the stage where he has to show a teacher just how difficult & dangerous he can be before they are prepared to work with him in a way he accepts, it's not good for either of us & undoes a lot of careful work. I'm sure I'll find someone suitable, I just hope it doesn't take too long
|
|
|
Post by wildrover on Dec 23, 2005 14:06:16 GMT 1
Yeah - sure thing Serenity.
Thing is though - you cant judge on one lesson. Also, you need to stipulate what goals you need to achieve while the instructor should be able to identify the weaknesses in your and your horse to achieve those goals.
I think it also helps if the instructor is good enough to be able to hop up and demonstrate the correct way ....... and it helps the instructor to understand the quirks of the horse, e.g. leaning on one rein or another etc.
|
|
serenity
Intermediate Poster
Serenity is not freedom from the storm, but peace amid the storm
Posts: 152
|
Post by serenity on Dec 23, 2005 23:17:57 GMT 1
I did say what we'd done so far & what I would like to achieve, that kind of goes without saying (I thought). Maybe you can't tell everything from one lesson, but you can tell a fair bit! Anyway what other way is there of seeing if it's going to work other than trying it? No instructor can identify weaknesses until they see you.
I agree it helps if an instructor can have a sit to feel what is happening but I wouldn't necessarily say that was crucial for a first lesson.
|
|
|
Post by sulasmum on Dec 24, 2005 0:45:17 GMT 1
Agree with everyone else change instructors. I know exactly how my girl likes to be ridden,and if I tried to bully her like she would not entertain a bit of it.
|
|