Rob Chidley
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Post by Rob Chidley on Apr 11, 2007 9:16:52 GMT 1
Hi all This is a confidence issue (mostly). A bit of background: the teaching stables I go to is a very stick-happy place. For example, a novice who has started recently has just bought a stick... before buying any boots/chaps/hat/any other gear. She rides in wellies and complains they slip but, hey, she has her stick, so she is ok!!! The default approach to problems is "Give him a smack" etc etc. You know the kind. I saw another novices beat a horse because she paused for about 3 seconds when being led through the car park. This guy also has his own whip but not much other equipment. He is now a favorite pupil who gets high praise when most of what he does is based on hitting. I was taught separately to these guys because I was far ahead, and now we are taught together. Lack of confidence has really dragged me down a huge way. I feel like I am worse now than before I came. I am sensitive to symbols and the whip is becoming a symbol in my mind of stupidity and violence. I know this isn't entirely helpful. When I joined this stables I was a confident rider who knew his limitations and would try anything. I had no bad habits except lack of training. I would like to make it clear that I am not totally against the whip or stick as an aid. However I've been riding without a whip or stick because I do not like the whole mentality of the stables and the teacher who takes my classes. I also believe that my problem at the moment is my communication with my seat and legs, and whips can cover poor riding. My confidence problem is this: am I holding myself back by not allowing myself all the aids, or am I justified in not using the whip so that I can focus on my seat and legs? I am not confident because EVERYONE ELSE seems to be 'progressing' and I do not (seem to be as fast). The world seems mad, and I feel like the only sane one, but after a while that feeling swaps over.
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Post by spruce on Apr 11, 2007 9:40:21 GMT 1
Grr, I hate people who misuse whips!
I think you are right in your thinking that you need to concentrate on your seat, legs and giving the aids correctly before picking up a whip.
They may be progressing quickly at the moment but using fear and force will only get you so far. By being a sensitive rider who is able to communicate effectivly with your body to the horse you will ultimately become the better rider. Unfortunately, as with anything good in life, it does take a while to happen.
Are there no other stables that you can go to? Or can you find a horse to share and the have lessons with a good teacher who is more in tune with how you think and will teach you the better way of riding?
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Rob Chidley
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Post by Rob Chidley on Apr 11, 2007 9:43:50 GMT 1
I've looked and looked, but can't find another in a reasonable distance. I posted this thread because I have to make the best of a bad situation. I would love to do what you suggest! Thanks for confirming my way of thinking.
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Post by Wendy IHTS on Apr 11, 2007 9:44:31 GMT 1
I think that sometimes, when you're still building up muscle strength in your legs (the right kind of strength) it can be useful to have the stick available as an aid....
But if it were me I'd find another riding centre. Any chances of that?
I think it's a slippery slope to eroding your confidence totally if you were to give up on your principles of non-violence here (I guess you won't though).
I've stopped my daughter going to riding schools because they've had the 'give it a smack to go, pull it either side to turn it, yank it in the mouth to stop'. Personally, I wouldn't waste my money paying for lessons if that's the best a school can teach. You'd be better off finding a personal instructor and having better quality lessons less often. Hopefully, you have some other options where you live.
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Post by Wendy IHTS on Apr 11, 2007 9:46:07 GMT 1
Sorry, crossed posts.
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Rob Chidley
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Post by Rob Chidley on Apr 11, 2007 9:46:24 GMT 1
P.S. I had one lesson where it all went to pot and I was not communicating at all well... I had a major rant about it a few weeks ago. The instructor made me use a whip and I nearly refused, but gave in. I have a friend who said that if I'm not prepared to use all[/i] the aids, I may as well get off the horse. Is that right or wrong?
[cross-posted too! Sorry]
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Post by spruce on Apr 11, 2007 9:49:38 GMT 1
If the whip is used correctly and only to back up the leg aid then it is fine to use. But I would refuse to use it if they are just asking you to whack the horse. That doesn't achieve anything.
Are there any good, or better instructors there that you could have a private lesson with concentrating on your aids and get them to show you how a whip can be used, without force, to bakc up your legs?
Where are you based?
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Rob Chidley
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Post by Rob Chidley on Apr 11, 2007 9:57:32 GMT 1
I'm in south Warwickshire. There's a good tackshop near me that probably has a good list of schools, but it closes before I can get there after work. I will try to send a minion!
I guess this is a common thread in IH - we know in our guts that it is all wrong but we must have the courage not to do it too!
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Post by julz on Apr 11, 2007 10:01:30 GMT 1
have a look on the general board...Kelly asked for nominations of good riding establishments local to the users on here...you may find one that is reasonable distance to you...but i agree that you need to get out of that place where sticks are first and foremost before the leg....
one of my neice's friends (going back a few years) always rode with a stick, and she brought her up one day to my yard for a shot on me oldie.... her first reaction was to ask for a stick...I told her that she had legs and could use them, and if she thought that she'd use a stick on my horse she'd end up in the middle of next month........
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Rob Chidley
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Post by Rob Chidley on Apr 11, 2007 10:08:08 GMT 1
have a look on the general board...Kelly asked for nominations of good riding establishments local to the users on here...you may find one that is reasonable distance to you Thanks - will do. one of my neice's friends (going back a few years) always rode with a stick, and she brought her up one day to my yard for a shot on me oldie.... her first reaction was to ask for a stick...I told her that she had legs and could use them, and if she thought that she'd use a stick on my horse she'd end up in the middle of next month........ Ha! I like that. ;D
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Post by wendyihts on Apr 11, 2007 10:25:39 GMT 1
What a load of blinkin' rubbish! The best aid you can use is your brain - hmm, maybe that's equal first place with your heart - if you can't engage either of those, you don't deserve to get on the horse in the first place.
Seriously, unless you are really motivated to use your experiences at this school as a way of developing a. a deaf ear b. a blind eye and c. a heart of stone, I'd find somewhere else. There's a real danger that you're paying to learn things that you are going to have to pay to unlearn at some point along the way. They're not teaching you good horsemanship and the bottom line is that, when it comes to horses and riding, you need good horsemanship to stay safe.
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Rob Chidley
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Post by Rob Chidley on Apr 11, 2007 10:46:14 GMT 1
Wise words, Wendy.
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em&ed
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Post by em&ed on Apr 11, 2007 12:20:56 GMT 1
can't you have a private lesson so you are not influenced by the other pupil's - so called - advancement? I know it's more expensive but you may get more out of it at this stage. However if it's the staff that are encouraging smacking I would deffo be looking elsewhere. Is your tack shop not open at the weekend? You must get some time off, Rob When i had my lessons I never used to carry a stick and they always sent someone to get one for me and I too had the old "....give her a smack... no! Not like that.... put both reins in your left hand and give her a proper smack with your right hand..." I never did do it properly as I just can't - it felt so wrong... in fact my horse did a few weeks on a riding school in Warwickshire - I hope it's not the same one
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Post by kya on Apr 11, 2007 12:25:12 GMT 1
I agree Rob.. you're too good a horseman to get bogged down in these people. Contact that tack shop and look elsewhere.
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Rob Chidley
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Posts: 260
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Post by Rob Chidley on Apr 11, 2007 12:58:15 GMT 1
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