upset and angry

Well, I am very new to horseriding... I took lessons when I was like 5 but I don't remember anything, im 24 now... I had my 1st lesson yesterday, we walked at first and then I trotted in a circle with the trainer holding the horse with a rope... and I got to trot for a bit around the arena... the horse SUX... IT DOESNT MOVE! I spent the whole lesson kicking! So I asked him to change the horse for me, and 2day he gave me the exact same horse!

BUT TODAY WAS WAY WORSE,IT WAS HUMILIATING, I MADE A FOOL OF MYSELF! I was there with 3 other new riders, and I was the only 1 NOT TROTTING! I would kick with all the strength I have, the trainer would raise his whip and the horse would trot for a few seconds to get out of the way and then would start walking again, I tried everything! And the trainer was very annoying, talking 2 me like a kid, ure doing everything wrong blablabla you gave me a headache etc..then he told me to just stop and stay in the middle while the rest trotted... I was very excited and he made me extremely discouraged! He made me feel like theres something wrong with me... it could be that im a bit tense because its the 2nd time I ride but the horse is not helping at all! I felt really bad after the lesson and started wondering if I will succeed or not... I know its still my second lesson... I should chill... how do I keep my legs from flapping around while trotting? I think this is part of the problem! It could be both me and the horse...he told me he will change the horse tomorrow... I hope I come back happy from my 3rd lesson and not frustrated like today...

Don't get discouraged! It can be really frustrating, especially when you're brand new to riding, to get a lazy or slow horse, but with patience and perseverance you can get any horse to do what you want. I promise!

My husband just started taking lessons, and he's on the laziest horse on the planet most lessons. He gets irritated sometimes, but he knows if he makes sure he's doing everything right and is patient, Scout will eventually give in and do what he wants.

ETA: However, if you feel like you're trainer is talking down to you and you get frustrated with him/her, you might want to look into another trainer. A good trainer can make ALL the difference, whereas a bad trainer can make someone never want to ride again.

Dont get discouraged it might take a few lessons to start getting the feel of things! It just sounds like you and the horse don't click very well! The horse could also be testy..some lesson horses I know get away with things because the know the rider is inexperianced and take advantage of that! Don't get discouraged hopefully your lesson tomorrow will be a much better one!

I spent the whole lesson kicking it got me exhausted... sometimes I wonder if I kick the horse and pull on the rein subconsciously at the same time to balance myself, I also have a problem that my trots get bouncy, each time I lower myself I bounce twice, 2 small bounces... any advice to fix that?! I feel my trainer is expecting me to know this stuff because he doesnt do the effort to explain!

Sorry you are having a rough go of it. It is all conditioning and response - aka muscle memory :)

The horse obviously know what it can get away with and when you get frustrated you are not going to be proper position to drive them forward.

To ask for a trot sit with your butt bone deep in the saddle, lean your shoulders slightly forward, put your hand down and forward and squeeze with both legs. I start light squeeze, firmer squeeze and bam if they don't go. Sometimes if you can at least get them to take a step to the side (like you are going to turn) will break the ice and get them moving. Be sure you are not pulling on the mouth or leaning too far back.

Try not to get discouraged. It takes time and you need to have good chemistry with your horse. They to spend some time with horse before you ride - may or may not help.

Building your muscles up will help you when riding. Do some light stretches to get your muscles warmed up. If you go to the gym, get with a trainer to learn some core training excercises.

Also remember sit straight and deep, your shoulder control the front end of the horse, your hips and shoulders determine the direction and your butt and hips control the hindquarters. When you are riding right and are not use to it, your seat bones will get sore and the small of your back will ache. If you are having to squeeze to tightly you may get blisters above or below your knee on the inside of your knees.

If you find that the chemistry just isn't working with a) the horse or b) the instructor, then look around for someone you get along with better. Don't give up because of not getting on with one horse/instructor.

If you have someone who can video the lesson that may help you actually see what you need to do drive your horse forward to.

It is HIGHLY possible you are pulling the reins while kicking!! I had to break myself of that habit when I was taking lessons.

The instructor felt he was too hard on me and tried to fix things in the end... thanx for the video tip I didnt think of that, I guess if I see what im doing ill know what im doing wrong... its just ugly to feel really excited before the lesson and like crap after it...do people usually get the hang of trotting after 2 lessons?

Ask your instructor to break it down for you. If you are only doing group sessions, you may benefit from splurging on one one-on-one session to get the nitty gritty details. Some people also have a hard time explaining things - it is a big reason I don't give lessons. I know what is right and needs fixing watching someone, but to actually explain to them what they need to do gets me sometimes.

Definitely get a video done!! This is one of the best training tools out there - that and someone to critique it with you :)

It really depends on the rider. Some people get it right away, some people take a few lessons.

My husband makes me sick because he got the posting trot like immediately and I took like 4 lessons to get it

Can you please tell me how to fix the double bounce I get when I trot??