I’m no expert in this field but wanted to share my experiences in finding a riding instructor that suited my horses and my ability and goals.
When I first bought Sky, I started having lessons with a woman that would come to the yard for other people because I didn’t really know that many people. She was knowledgeable, but very abrupt. She would sometimes say things that would almost put me or Sky down, but not in a way that you’d notice straight away.
I really enjoyed the lessons though and would come away feeling like I’d progressed a bit, and when we started doing groundwork, she was great, and I would come away feeling like I could do the things on my own.
I then moved Sky and we had lockdown, so I didn’t have lessons for a while and in that time also bought Rupert, who at the time was a scruffy little cob, that hadn’t been handled much more than he needed to be. As soon as I could I started up the lessons again with the same person.
She hadn’t changed and I started coming away from the lessons feeling a bit upset so I again stopped them for a while and focused on enjoying what I was doing with them.
When I moved them back to another yard, I was struggling to feel motivated and one of the people on my yard offered to give me some cheap lessons to get me back into the swing of things. They had done just that, and I felt ready to go back to proper lessons. But it was the same, I was trying to have lessons on both the horses once a week and was paying an absolute fortune. The final straw was when sky went lame, and I asked to have a lesson just on Rupert until Sky was fit to go again. I was told no because it wasn’t worth her time.
This really hurt because I had spent so much money, and it would have only been maybe two weeks until I could get back on her and it would be back to the two lessons a week. So, I stopped having lessons with her. There were other reasons such as her getting busier and out pricing me as well, but I just felt quite hurt about a few things.
So again, I was without an instructor. I got recommended a younger girl who was fearless and said that she would be happy to get on Sky so we could work out together what we needed to do. She was great! But because of the nature of her job, she was often injured and couldn’t attend my lessons, so I knew I needed to find someone else to keep up with what I wanted to do.
I got recommended the person that I use now. She’s so knowledgeable, so kind, and we have a good laugh and chat during the lesson which always settles nerves. She has a massive soft spot for Rupert as well which helps because he is very naughty and attention seeking.
My riding has got more technical, and Rupert has come on leaps and bounds without the need for any gadgets. She always has mine and Rupert’s best interests at heart and I know I can speak to her whenever I need to about any issues I’m having, either with Rupert or riding.
So, when you look for an instructor remember, you need someone that suits you and your horse, someone that can fit in around you, that understands yours and your horses’ personal needs. You want to finish your lesson feeling better than when you started.
Like I said, I’m no expert, but I’ve learnt the difference between someone that’s looking at mine and my horses’ best interests, and someone that’s come out because that’s their job. Don’t ever be worried about changing when something doesn’t suit you. A true horse person will understand why. Ask people who they use and recommend and why, speak to them before hand to make sure that they know what your goals are. I hope this helps anyone who’s maybe struggling to find someone, or who has someone that they don’t think is right for them.