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What will my first 10 lessons be like?

2K views 13 replies 7 participants last post by  apachiedragon 
#1 ·
I'm starting private lessons next month. What do you think my early lessons will consist of? Thanks everyone, so excited!
 
#2 ·
It would really be beneficial to know some of your background.

If these are your first lessons you'd likely be walking and trotting on a lunge line. If you've been riding for many years it may just be tweaking your posture and getting the best out of your horse.
 
#3 ·
I learned to ride English many years ago and only had a few lessons. Then the years of watching (and paying for lol) my dd to ride. Now it's my turn. I don't have a horse yet, there are a few at my barn for lease. I really want to start "from the beginning." My goal is to ride with confidence and some grace and to ride w/ my area hunt by fall.
 
#4 ·
Ok then. It really depends on your trainer. They might work on re-teaching you how to properly sit on and control the horse. They might work only on the position while you are on a lunge line.

Whatever they get you to do, you should keep us updated!
 
#5 ·
Franny,

it's cool that you are starting back into horses. I will be fun to hear from you from time to time on how its going and I love that you have a GOAL. (I am terrible about setting and keeping goals, so I admire this).
I think you will just be getting your seat back. If you are now closer to middle age than you were when you used to ride you will find a lot of things different; You level of caution will be higher, you may lack muscle tone , you will tend to "think" things through more, rather than just see and do. Hopefully, your instructor will be cognisant of this and teach appropriatly.
Try not to compare yourself to the young girls riding . It won't be fair to yourself and will deprive you of the joy you should award yourself with each thing you accomplish as you move forward.
Luck!
 
#6 · (Edited)
It's good if you have a well fitted riding helmet and some sturdy shoes like 'paddock boots' to ride in.

Well a lot of it depends on how fit and wild and fearless you are. If you're very athletic and active, the teacher will be able to roll along pretty quick with you. Sometimes the first lesson is on grooming, tacking up, leading, mounting, etc. But most first lessons include some riding.

Usually, you start out with position, the instructor will show you how to get your feet in the stirrups, hold the reins, sit in the middle of the saddle.

Some instructors put new students on a 'longe line' and you go around in a circle around the instructor while she holds the longe line - so the instructor controls the horse, sort of like those student driver cars, LOL. Usually, on the longe, you just worry about your position and the instructor keeps the horse moving in the right direction. Being on a longe line may seem boring but actually, people progress very well with that method.

Next, you'll most likely learn steering around turns, halting and moving off at a walk. Then a slow trot, and posting (moving up and down). Posting is good, far more fun than staying in the saddle and trying to absorb the trot motion with your body. But you'll learn to sit to the trot too, eventually.

Next, cantering, which feels absolutely wonderful. The horse springs along very effortlessly and it's really fun to ride in canter.

Jumping lower obstacles just feels like a BIG canter stride. You'll learn the jumping position, and how to steer your horse straight to the jump.

As far as going fox hunting very soon, 'that depends'. Some hunts are on very easy ground, and folks 'hill top' on an old, gentle quiet horse, without jumping. The 'hilltop' views let you see how the hunt staff is working the hounds.

Some hunts have a whole contingency of hilltoppers, even some driving carriages, on bicycles, on foot!

Some hunts move very, very fast and the country is such that everyone has to go like a bandit and jump a lot of varied obstacles. If your hunt is like that, it might be some time before you can muck in with THAT lot! But you'll get there, don't worry about that.
 
#7 · (Edited)
These responses are so encouraging! I did a little gulp about the young girls passing me by because I used to be one of them - but in figure skating and skiing more than riding. I remember just jumping onto the ice or mountain and starting, w/out a "thought" at all! I was a natural athlete when I was young so we'll see if the muscle memory is still here lol.

Absolutely I'll keep posting about my progress. I do think I should break my goal down into more achievable stages, though so I'll feel better more frequently, or focus more on where I'm stuck without obsessing about the prize.

Thanks too for the comments about having a goal and slc, for your awesome knowledge about the hunt. It sounds like there's a role for everyone and believe me I *know* there are some really "mature" riders at my local hunt.

OK - thanks again everyone for the support and guidance.
 
#9 ·
Be prepared for the pain in muscles after 1st couple lessons. :D Other than that yes, it depends a lot on instructor. But personally I found private lessons to be the most beneficial to me and my horse. Have fun and I hope you'll like the trainer!
 
#11 · (Edited)
I really don't know a lot about hunting. I never followed on a fast horse, just a slow borrowed one, and I did follow a couple times on a bike when I couldn't beg a ride, and once even in a jeep.

I just LOVE watching a pack of hounds work.

It is unbelievable how well trained they are:



My mother had these incredibly romantic visions about me toodling around on a horse at a sedate pace, in fashionable clothing at a fancy eastern girl's school like Sweet Briar.

HOWEVER, when she found out what sort of derring-do was involved, I was ABSOLUTELY forbidden to go!
 
#14 ·
If you are still looking for a trainer, I would check around and see if any in your area specialize in adult beginners. I don't know where you are, but a lot of farms in my area teach only children at a beginner level and may have one or two classes for more advanced adults. It would be really beneficial to you to have an instructor who has worked with adult beginners in the past. (I am assuming that you would still be in the beginning stages, from your description.) I think private lessons are the way to go especially when you will be just starting out again. My adult beginners spend the first couple of lessons just getting comfortable on the horse, gaining confidence while working on basic balance and posture, and then putting that together with basic control, steering, etc. when they appear relaxed. I also make them put in some time on the ground, leading, moving the horse around, and so on. A good trainer will be able to assess you comfort level and give you tools to put yourself at ease before challenging you too much.

I think it's wonderful that you want to get back into riding! It is great for exercise and stress relief! Good luck, and I look forward to hearing how it goes!
 
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