Beginner Rider in Lessons and looking for reassurance

Hello,
I have decided to take lessons and finally learn to ride a horse. I have had 3 lessons now in western riding. I was wondering if any of you could share your experiences. I have been on the same horse now for a couple of lessons and he seems a bit stubborn. He is reluctant to go to a jog. I know that this is a confidence issue and I have to be the boss and make him do it but I was just wondering if this is a normal procedure for a beginner. The instructor got on the horse at first and he took a lot of convincing to move even by her. My thinking now is if I can learn on a stubborn horse it will make me better but I must admit I was a little discouraged after this last lesson. Can anyone offer their insight and/or encouragement? Thanks.

Congrats on starting a new sport. If the horse if frequently used for lessons and ridden by a lot of different persons he may have become somewhat dead to the aids. He will be slow or stubborn as a way of protecting himself. Also, because he knows he can get away with it. If the teacher couldnt motivate him then maybe , just maybe, he has a physical reason for not wanting to jog. Prbably not, tho. He probably has had so much time with beginners on him that his mind is tuned out and it took a fair bit to get him back "awake" again.

When you are starting a very calm , even lethargic horse like this is not such a bad thing. Once you feel more secure in you saddle, you might as if she has a horse with more go. Learning to ride takes more time than most people think. You have to train your body to do somehting that is totally new to it, and if you're an adult when starting, it's even harder. But boy is it fun!!!

Thanks Tiny,
It has been a really long time since I learned a new sport so it takes some getting used to ;)
I appreciate the insight, I tried to be assertive but I am also not used to all this kicking of the horse like this to make him go. Haha

Welcome, and congrats on your new journey with horses. Three months ago I finally decided to get back in the saddle after being away from horses for over 14 years or so. I started with lessons at a local barn on their lesson horse. He was very dull to cues. Like Tinyliny said they have a lot of different riders.I'm sure they're thinking "you sure you wanna do that?" lol. Then I bought my horse and he was very sensitive to cues...ahhhh...lol. It was intimidating at first. If I could go back in time I would have stayed doing more lessons on the lesson horse so I could learn my balance better. I ride my horse for lessons now and we have come a long way but it has been a lot of work and.... fun!

So, I guess my advice to you is to stick it out on the stubborn lesson horse. You'll learn a lot with the safety of a horse that isn't going to be touchy with cues. My husband can't even ride my horse because he is so sensitive to cues for leg and seat pressure. He's like "where's the woah button??". And I'm always yelling "stop pulling on his face!!" lol.

Good luck to you. Expect days of tears, frustration, doubt, but also rewarding days when you "get it" and bond with a horse. Best feeling in the world...:)

Thanks Cher.
I am excited about this new journey as my husband has always had horses (he is actually a farrier) so between that and the small farm shopping I thought it was time to finally learn. I will stick it out on this horse and muster up the confidence to make him do what I say (or kick).

You are welcome! Good for you. I love everything horses bring to my life even the frustration! Lol

I know that when my trainer rode the lesson horse she put spurs on to get him to go. They obviously get very dull after being ridden by so many riders especially ones that aren't assertive...and understandably so. It's intimidating to get onto a 1100 pound animal for the first time and getting him to control every move. Sounds like you have a great attitude!