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Learning to Ride -- What Can I Expect re: Autonomy

2K views 13 replies 13 participants last post by  DancingArabian 
#1 ·
I'm a beginner (well, rode decades ago, but have to start from the beginning!). I'm 50ish and have modest goals that I've mentioned here before: nice, balanced seat, nice posting and trail riding. My question is at what point will my instructor likely let me take my (lesson) horse for a trail around around the grounds? What benchmarks will she be looking for?

I'm really looking forward to simply being in the woods and fields with "my" horse!
 
#3 ·
I think that totally depends on your instructor, the lesson horse, and you. Each barn would be different. At our barn they don't ever let people ride outside of the arena on a lesson horse. In fact, I don't think you are allowed to ride lesson horses outside of lessons. However, I know that is common at other barns.
 
#8 ·
You need to find a barn where people also trail ride. The place I first landed, people were rather appalled that I dared to get on my horse at all, outside the arena. That wasn't the barn for me.

If you make friends with trail riders at your barn, and your instructor has sufficient confidence in you and in your lesson horse, you could probably go out with others eventually. You should ask the instructor up front about it, though.
 
#10 ·
#11 ·
It does depend on the barn but if trail riding is something that regularly happens, I would say a student is ready when they have gone past the point of having to think about what they are doing and appropriate action comes automatic. There is no time to think if a horse does something minor like make a quick side step because he was slapped by a branch. Once you can retain your seat and control your horse in most situations I would say you are ready.
 
#12 ·
Definitely set yourself up for success by riding at either a trail or eventing barn where out of the ring riding is encouraged. You'll find that a balanced seat will be the biggest factor as to whether you'll be ready for a trail ride. Even the most bomb proof horses have their moments. The better balanced you are in the saddle, the better you'll be able to ride out a spook.

I don't know of any barns that allow school horses to ride out, but maybe by the time you're ready to give it a try, you can 1/2 lease a horse which will give you more options.

There's a very large over 50 crowd of riders out there, so you should be able to find a barn that fits your needs.
 
#14 ·
She may never tell you to do that. If you're paying for lessons, why would the instructor have you ride your horse around the grounds during your paid lesson time?

If riding on the property is somethingo Ire interested in, maybe like at the end of your ride, that's something you need to talk about with her.
 
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