upset and angry

I'm not an expert rider nor a trainer so I wouldn't be much help

The video would be good though, if you can get one done at your next lesson. There are lots of good trainers on this board would be more than happy to help you figure it out!

i will definitely do that tomorrow
my shoulders r wide and my body is a bit stiff... my instructor told me i should "loosen up" and go with the flow of the horse... i think i just get tense without realizing,i just hope i find out the horse was the main problem tomorrow when i try another 1...

Hey ramzi, riding is a lot harder than most people think, don't feel badly. Some pick it up quickly, others take a really long time. Many horses will not trot if they feel the rider is off balance. We have a pony at our barn that has a very fast strong trot with an experienced rider but put a newbie on her and as soon as they tilt or get off balance, boom she stops and will only slowly walk.

Its very possible you are pulling on the reins for balance which is perfectly normal but a bad message to the horse.

Its really important to get your basic seat down before you move onto trotting. Also its nearly impossible to take group lessons when you very first start out unless the instructor has an assistant. I think starting out trotting on a lunge is good.

However there are also horses that are just not that great to learn on and if you have a very stubborn lazy mount it can be frustrating. I would suggest you keep asking for another mount, take at least one private lesson and get video.

Getting your balance is really important, lots of no hands, no stirrups work on the lunge.

Don't give up, its worth it!!

thanx to all of u for ur helpful advice... i will not give up and tomorrow will hopefully be a good session!

i know exacly how you feel. i think weve all riden a horse like that.

one of the first horses i rode ws the EXACT same way. he would never trot when i wanted him to and most of the time he would cut corners, hold other horses up, and just stand there while i was trying with all my might to make him move. But i found it helped with patience. i would still try as hard as i could and when he didnt move i would reinforce it, but make sure you stay calm. when you become irritated the horse can sense it and it will make it worse for both of you. your next lesson go in with a completly calm and open mind and see if anything changes. just dont give up. i didnt give up with the horse that did the same thing with me and now i feel comfertable riding him.

as for your trainer, they dont sound very good if thats how they treat you. i would still give the horse and trainer a second chance, but if you and your trainer dont click it can make your lessons harder.

overall go in with a calm open mind and try again :)

sorry for the novel :P

Remember to breathe. Some people sing to remember to breathe. I hold my breathe when I barrel race and have to make myself breathe.