[kitten_Val]

So I have a dilemma. I started taking english lessons to learn jumping at the barn with indoor (my horses are off till March because of the weather). Nice trainer, OK arena, but the horse is not really a "lesson" horse. He's sweetheart and doesn't seem to have bad habits like rearing or bucking, but young, VERY forward and (unfortunately) rather spooky. Also breaks from canter into trot when passing the door because he's somewhat unsure about "scary" door. I'm not afraid to ride him and him being too forward is in some sense my fault because I ride with looser rein then he's used to. But his spookiness make me concentrate on him and surroundings rather then lesson itself and my position. So is that normal for the lessons (I don't have much experience taking lessons on not my horses)? Or should I look for something else?

 

[gypsygirl]

i would talk to the trainer and tell her that you really want to focus on yourself for awhile and ask if you can try another horse.

 

[Romantic Lyric]

I like riding greener horses for lessons sometimes. Riding him (maybe every other lesson) I would say would be a good experience. I can understand wanting to work on your position, and you should, but you'll also never become a better rider if you only ride dead-broke horses. But if you don't feel comfortable riding a greener horse yet, or he's just TOO green, then go with your gut.

 

[MacabreMikolaj]

I definately understand what you're saying kitten_Val and I think it basically can be summed up with what YOU'RE looking for. You're obviously a good enough rider to handle him, but do you think it's fair that you're paying money to essentially train this person's horse? If you're paying money because you're out to learn something specific, I would request a different horse or find a new trainer. I took Dressage lessons on my green Arabian mare when she was 5 years old, and it definately got frustrating at times because Elaine was trying to teach both me AND her at the same time and it's a lot harder to get results if neither you nor the horse understand the technicalities of what you're doing. Elaine actually ended up being the one to suggest that I do half my lessons on her old deadbroke Thoroughbred, and then half on Zierra so I could get more from my lessons. Like you, I had no issue handling a green horse, but trying to learn and teach at the same time can get to be kind of a pain sometimes!

 

[Alwaysbehind]

Talk to your instructor.

They probably have no idea you would rather ride a packer.

Most lesson programs the people who are able to handle a more green horse have no interest in riding the packers because they are boring. The lesson students look at it as a good experience, more exciting, etc when they are allowed to ride the more green horse.

 

[kitten_Val]

Thanks, folks!

I probably should of disclose more info. I have enough "fun" riding my own horses both are 5 years old and one very high-spirited (I do trail ride and I took lessons in different barn on Jemma - unfortunately they don't have lesson horses there). So it's all very far from "dead broke" only experience. I was hoping to -start- jumping during a winter on know-the-job horse to prepare myself for jumping with Jemma. And I think the trainer is very nice. But the problem is there are no other horses in barn. Actually one more but the owner states she's worse to ride. Well... Will see. I may just try another place.

 

[Alwaysbehind]

If they do not offer a packer then yes, find a barn that has a string of lesson horses so you can find one that fits what you are looking for.

 

[kitten_Val]

Like you, I had no issue handling a green horse, but trying to learn and teach at the same time can get to be kind of a pain sometimes!

That's exactly my point. In some sense I'm wasting lots of time calming him down (we spent like 20-30 mins just flexing and bending him to put in "work" mood). Again, he's a sweetest horse, but just doesn't look like done-it-all type.

 

[kchfuller]

I agree with others about finding the place that best meets your needs but if you want to train your mare to jump then would doing it on a horse with a trainer be a good way to learn?

If you want to work on you then yes I would fond a place that has more then two horses to choose from good luck! Keep us posted!

 

[GoldRush]

I took lessons from an 'expert', and was put on a green horse...ended up with a broken arm. It isn't a bad thing to go with your gut (I spoke up about the horse and the situation, but went with the 'expert opinion' instead of my gut instinct), in fact, I'll encourage it! Don't look at it as anything about the horse...it is a lesson for you to learn how to do a specific movement, and work as a team with the horse you're on. You need to be comfortable and confident first, then you can work up to teaching the green horse. It isn't that the horse is 'bad', it's that you and the horse are inexperienced in this particular forte.
Go with your gut!

 

[5cuetrain]

Good lesson horses are worth their weight in gold. All horses need constant "reminding" of their job. Good riding instructors keep their lesson horses sharp by riding them every day. Different levels of students need diferent lesson horses. A well tuned, sharp and experienced lesson horse usually doesn't put up with a lower level rider very well. They expect the same sharpness from their rider.

Learning on a horse who has issues doesn't make for a good outcome.

Usually there is a wide spread in the cost for lessons--the good instructors with good lesson horses charge more.

Find a instructor and a horse that gives you the best return for your money. Some times paying more is a much better investment.

 

[kitten_Val]

Thanks for everyone's input! I'll contact another barn to give it a shot.

 

[stacieandtheboys]

I agree find somewhere else. I had a trainer that would use us to exercise her green horses so she wouldn't have to. Really we were training them for her during our lessons. However she got all of the money from a sale (and the lessons). It is super hard to work on yourself when you are trying to school a green horse.