Today's Lesson: putting the horse on the bit, confused!

Listen to your instructor. If you have concerns about what she's asking you to do, talk to her about it. She may be able to explain why it's beneficial even though it doesn't appear like it to you. With the 'bracing' the back maybe she's trying to get you to stay a little more put together and not flip flop around, or stay more centered in the saddle, or some reasons none of us would know because we haven't seen you ride.

You're paying her to teach you to ride, and so far she's the only one out of everyone 'here' who's seen you ride, so I would take her advise first :) She seems like a good instructor, I like her already for avoiding training 'aids' like forks or side reins with a new rider.

Never be afraid to ask questions with your instructor, that's the fastest way to learn.

OuttatheBlue: That was good advice. I emailed her asking my question and she answered well. I think I get it now. I know it's obvious that I should have asked her first, but I feel shy and awkward sometimes.
And thank you for saying she seems like a good instructor. As a newbie, it's hard to tell the good ones from the bad ones and niggling doubts arise everytime I watch another lesson.
:)

It should be more of a feeling. Don't over think it. Relax your heels down into your stirrups, get the horse in front of you. It should feel like she is carrying you and you are not having to push her, keep your hands one on each side of the wither, outside rein contact at all times. If she raises above the bit, encourage her by squeezing with the outside rein. Remember that your horse has to be honestly forward for her to be on the bit. Many people think it has something to do with the hands. It does not. Hands play a very small role. But you should ride quietly, hands and seat need to remain still to let the horse find the bit through your seat and legs.

Has your instructor spoken to you about outside and inside rein?
Getting the horse on the bit is not just about using the hands and reins, as you know. Keep the contact on the outside rein, sponge the inside rein and keep your legs on. As you say, the horse must be moving forward with impulsion, but don,t be afraid to keep your leg on!!

Ooops... just seenn Kartmom67's post, which I have more or less paraphrased...!

Yeah she told me about outside rein and inside rein. Thanks Yoshi (I love that dinosaur from Super Mario).
This horse that I'm half-leasing is leaving at the end of the month. I'll be half-leasing a different horse in June (whichever my instructor picks from the school horses).
I discovered today by looking at my lease papers that the horse is only 7 years old! I was shocked. Previously I have ridden only those older than 20 years.

This week's two lessons were totally awesome. During my second lesson at last I began to finally "feel" the horse on the bit. I was so surprised. Kartmom I had read your post and it didn't make sense before but now it does. It's such a good feeling :).

My instructor said my horse isn't trained to be on the bit so that's why it's been taking me a while.
She said other instructors use side-reins until their students have been taking lessons for a long time. There's another instructor at the barn who uses side-reins on her student's horse even though her student has been attending longer than I have. My instructor said she has a different teaching philosophy and she believes learning how to put the horse on the bit should come before mastering the canter.

I thought that was very interesting. My instructor has taught many students before so I am glad she's not experimenting on me.

Good trainer, that is a really noble thing to employ. Mine told me in her words "he's not getting rounded fast enough" and slapped a training fork on him. Terrible thought coming from someone I entrusted my horse and my care to.

You have a great trainer, who makes a lot of sense :) Well done!

I got lucky with my trainer. I mean really lucky. I know other posts on the forum say to watch instructors give classes beforehand, but I didn't. I just showed up, shook hands and said let's schedule for this Wednesday. I'm that kind of person. I didn't ask anyone about her or talk to anyone who knew her since I am new in the horse world.

I hope she stays my instructor for a long time to come.