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Lesson, Lesson ?

2K views 17 replies 13 participants last post by  churumbeque 
#1 ·
I just need an opinion on a fairly small matter, but it concerns me during every lesson. I have never read or seen anything that relates to instruction etiquette , so here goes.

My instructor will give me advice as I'm riding and I will often slow or stop the horse to explain the problem I'm having or to have her repeat the instruction (sometimes hard to hear). Today for example I was cantering, but didn't always have my hands in the right position or maybe was relying more on my lower leg than my thigh. During these situations I'm trying to make the adjustments, but slowly lose a bit of my seat or balance. I know she would like for me to continue on the canter, but I feel much more comfortable slowing and collecting my thoughts before I continue. I don't want to be a pain by frequently stopping to discuss my problem, but I also don't want to feel out of control by trying to make too many alterations during the canter.

So......keep going and try to incorporate her advice or slow/stop to discuss it and start again ? I know it's a simple question, but I always feel like she becomes a wee bit irritated by my stop and go. She is actually a wonderful instructor.

Any opinions ?
 
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#2 ·
I guess I do both, depending on the circumstance, if she is coaching me to improve what I already know then I keep going. If I can't hear I will tell her and she will raise her voice. If it is something new, or if I'm just not getting it then I will stop to discuss it.

It's really a conversation to have with your instructor, you need to find common ground and understanding, and that means you actually saying what you need, as well as listening to her input.
 
#4 ·
A good riding instructor should understand his or her student as well as the subject and the horse. Feedback from the student can prove very useful.

Here is an example. I demonstrated to a new student how I wanted her to ride a figure 8 by walking the pattern. While this student did not perform the movement particularly well, she directed her horse around the cones in the correct direction. Since this was a private lesson, I had the woman make a large circle and try the figure 8 from the opposite direction. She rode all over the place. I was very confused until she explained that she had a learning disability which required more detailed explanation. She didn't understand how what I asked her to do related to the figure 8. In discussing this with her, I realized that she was thinking of the 8 in an upright position whereas the figure 8 I was asking her to perform was in a horizontal position in relation to where she started.

The reason I present this example is to illustrate that little things can make a big difference in communication and the learning process. Explain to your instructor how you find it easiest to learn. Hopefully, your instructor will be able to adapt her training methods to meet your particular needs.
 
#7 ·
Personally, I think you should keep moving unless instructed otherwise. If your trainer wanted you to stop, she would say so :)

That said... Everyone learns differently. If you're not getting the most out of your lessons, and would feel more comfortable/would learn more with stops, I think that may be more important than your trainer's wishes xD

Bottom line--chat with your trainer about it ^^ Tell them your concerns, and you two can work out something together.
 
#16 ·
Every Saturday morning and sometimes I get a freebie on Sunday for being a good stable groupie. :)

I really do plan to keep a constant canter this time and not worry quite so much about a small mistep. Just make an adjustment, relax and keep going. I actually love to canter.

Thanks again!
 
#11 ·
I am also taking 1x1 lessons and my instructor is very vocal! She is very animated and occasionally will have me hop off so she can show me as well as walk me through what she is talking about.

It's like in school. Some people respond better to being shown, others to hearing the instructions, other's to seeing it.

One thing I do to help me retain is try to use all the senses that I can. For example: I'll see my instructor do it, then I'll try it, then I might repeat silently or out loud what it is that I need to be doing- so now I am seeing, hearing and feeling (i.e. the horse, the reigns, etc). Try to be as sensory as possible, especially now when we are like sponges soaking it all in :)

One thing I had to get over was just feeling silly. I tend to over think things and not want to seem uninformed or ignorant or ask the wrong questions. Once I established with my instructor that I'm (1) learning and therefore going to ask a lot of questions and (2) she was happy to answer/assist with anything, it made it really easy to communicate with her. Try and build a little rapport where it doesn't feel so forced/formal but more of a learning/sharing their knowledge environment!
 
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#12 ·
We all have our querks. I would simply tell the RI that you require a break in order to process in the info. She should understand.

Also, she might be trying to push you to canter more and help you develop the confidence to multi-task while cantering. It's not going to be perfect at first, but you have to start somehwere.
 
#13 ·
I'd talk to her about it. See if she can speak up so you can hear and not have to slow down, ask if it's ok for you to stop. If so, nothing wrong with doing more transitions right? You're paying her, so ask her whatever comes to mind. Especially things like that.

I overthink things. When I'm not thinking about where my legs are, where my hands are, how fast I'm going, I ride better. My trainer will ask questions about something totally not related to what I'm doing and I forget all the things I'm supposed to think about and my riding improves.
 
#14 ·
As an instructor for over 30 years I'll advise you to keep cantering but then discuss your questions as soon as possible after you are allowed to bring the horse down to a walk. I would be aggravated if students stopped in the middle of a canter every time to ask a question.

Students who won't communicate though, are equally aggravating and usually the 1st ones I drop when making my annual schedule. Do ask questions-there is nothing too stupid to ask! It shows the instructor that you are thinking carefully about what you are doing and care enough to try to improve. The better you become, the better your instructor looks!

Sounds like you may be working in an arena that is so large that you two can't hear each other. Make sure she knows you are having a hard time hearing-maybe she'll let you ride in smaller circles and ovals around you.

Ask all the questions you want, just save them for when you aren't doing an active canter!:)
 
#15 ·
I will usually keep going unless I really have no idea what my instructor is having me do. I think keeping going when being instructed addresses what is going on at that moment and helps you resolve that particular issue while it is occuring. Stopping or slowing down breaks that moment and the instruction then changes and so the instruction is no longer addressing the specific issue.

If I have questions while I am keeping going, I ask them then. It helps clarify in my mind that you don't have to stop to correct something and how to correct it and keep going.

If it is something I am totally not getting, I'll stop and ask questions, but the "correction moment" is gone. BUT, as I'm sure most of you understand, you'll do what needs correcting AGAIN at some point, so the stopping for clarification is good for future reference. :D
 
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