.... So Angry

[peggleshorse]

.......... Just need to let off some steam on this one. I'm still so angry from yesterday.Sorry if it sounds a bit of a rant ( It's not usually like me !!!! )


As a non horse owner I have to travel some distance to the riding school I attend so when I heard of a " nice " lady of some standing in the Dressage community  less than 15 mins away who does some lessons I thought I would give it a try.

Well the first time wasn't too great, I didn't ride very well and she had given me her novice's cob who was very stiff and lethargic. I did eventually get him more responsive and forward going and indeed she and the other 2 pupils complimented me at the end that they hadn't seen him go so well in ages.
I was duly promised a "better " horse the following week.
I had been a bit concerned though at the number of times I was asked to shorten my reins but as it was my first time there I thought perhaps it wasn't the best time to question this approach.( and she seemed such a nice lady )

Anyway next week came and I was given the same horse.From the start I was constantly castigated for not shortening my reins enough. In fact the only time she was happy was when my arms were straight out in front of me with just about no bend in my elbow. I could sense she was losing patience with me everytime I allowed the reins to lenghten as I could not force myself to ride like that ( my arms felt like lead weights and my hands felt stiff/unyielding)
She then complained that my contact was not soft.I thought no b****y wonder!!!!!
Then she had the audacity to say " we don't ride our horses like that here " ( my H.M way ) and when I did pluck up the courage to query the contact/rein length she held up the other 2 pupils as examples of how to do it correctly.

If I hadn't felt angry I would have laughed as it looked so funny for, there they were going round with their arms straight out and their horses looking like wooden tops.

She did infer later on that if I didn't like the methods taught I should not return.By this point I had made my mind up anyway.

I just feel so angry that she made me feel like a beginner rider and I allowed her to. Even worse the two nice well meaning ladies who could barely get their horses to canter for about a dozen strides both agreed that I should " stick with it" and I too could be riding like them in no time!!!!!!! NO THANKS.

Anyway sorry for the rant folks but I did feel as though I had been personally assaulted for daring to question/deviate from her methods.I have since found out the majority of riders there she has started from beginners so she probably prefers teaching a blank canvas as they will not question her.


P.S    I was also blamed for causing the horse to spook at a pigeon flying out of the bushes because I had insufficient contact.!!!!!!

Oh and she was against me using my H.M seatsaver saying that she had good saddles. ( Honest I haven't anything against Wintec Synthetic G.P saddles but I bet she doesn't ride in one !!!)

[Heather]

Heck Peggleshorse, this sounds like paying for torture!


These people think they know so much. I am seriously thinking of doing an Egon Ronay style review of various schools. I have been trying to get round to doing it for years, incognito, posing as a novice, and then writing a report.

Do let me know if you think I should visit this one, Seatbone Saver and all of course!

Heather

[shoveltrash]

you have every right to be angry.


it's amazing, the number of posts i have read over the past year or so......from people who have had EXACTLY the same experience  <_< .  more than 'amazing', it's very  SAD.

at least you KNOW that what you were being asked to do was wrong!
   

[1 morejump]

and you paied for that?!?!?!  Go ahead and blow some steam off, you deserve it!

I feel bad for all the students there, they have undoubtedly been brainwashed into riding that way.  If they had started riding on their own they never would have held their hands like that, it just doesn't make sense.

I am seriously thinking of doing an Egon Ronay style review of various schools. I have been trying to get round to doing it for years, incognito, posing as a novice, and then writing a report

oh boy!  I would love to read that!  

[drummers mum]

I am seriously thinking of doing an Egon Ronay style review of various schools. I have been trying to get round to doing it for years, incognito, posing as a novice, and then writing a report

oh boy!  I would love to read that!

Now that, is a BRILLIANT idea! :lol: You would have soooo much fun researching it!  

[peggleshorse]

...... Thanks for your replies everyone. Cheered me up no end.
That would be such a brilliant idea Heather.

Perhaps some of us could be novice guinea pigs and cover our local areas. I would imagine it would be very difficult if not impossible for yourself Heather to pretend to be in need of Instruction.

Anyway with hindsight I do wonder if she set out to put me off returning. She insisted on carrying my seatsaver which I now wonder, if on seeing your logo on it knew that I wouldn't adapt to her methods. I now think that was when her demeanour seemed to change !!!


It's such a pity there are still instructors out there who are not open to change especially when the proof is staring them in the face. i.e a happy looking horse who is willingly giving of himself and is not restricted. ( her little novice's cob when I resorted back to my usual rein length/contact )

[Heather]

Hehe, you'd be surprised how badly I can ride if I have a mind to!! :lol: I have been planning it for years, but would have to have the Seatbone Saver with me, or I wouldnt be able to sit down, never mind ride, on those school saddles! Can make the excuse of my dodgy old back, and whiplash in the neck- say it had been recommended by an experienced friend

I really would like to do this, and as soon as I get time, riding schools look out!!

Heather

[Kandi]

I really would like to do this, and as soon as I get time, riding schools look out!!

 

Loving this idea...we could have a group EE piece of research!

I see no reason why not.....if other industries can employ this type of approach to inform and empower their customers then i see no reason why riding schools should object. I buy 'The List' guide of restaurants for glasgow and edinburgh every year as Im not prepared to part with hard earned for nonsense food and rubbish service. Some of the best restaurants I now eat in i have found in The List.

With clearly defined critera, a relatively standardised approach and feedback incorporating positive suggestions for improvement, this would be a fantastic piece of work. I wonder if it would be important to include feedback, to encourage riding schools to adopt changes rather than become defensive and resist suggestions? It sounds like the school you went to pegglsehorse would be one of the less receptive ones!

[Jaydee]

Yay, go Heather, go! :lol:


Returning to riding after a long absence, I had some very -er- interesting riding 'lessons'. <_<  

[Heather]

Trouble is Marie, many of them would have to go back to the drawing board if they are ever to really improve :(

Heather

[BornToRide]

For all the know-it-alls out there...... :P

Andre Gide:
Believe those who are seeking the truth; doubt those who find it.

They deem him their worst enemy who tells them the truth. - Plato

Galileo:
All truths are easy to understand once they are discovered; the point is to discover them.

Pierre Abelard:
The beginning of wisdom is found in doubting; by doubting we come to the question, and by seeking we may come upon the truth.

[Kandi]

Trouble is Marie, many of them would have to go back to the drawing board if they are ever to really improve :(

Heather

Mmmm....probably a bit of misguided optimism in my suggestions! I must still be feeling upbeat from last night!

[Kandi]

Spot on Born-to ride!

I love quotes and profound sayings. I often browse all those quotation sites....another work avoidance strategy! My diary is one of those ones that has a quote or saying for every day.

Todays one -

'I dont believe that one grows older. I think that what happens early on in life is that at a certain age  one stands still and stagnates.' - T.S.Elliot

[Flashback]

Hehe, you'd be surprised how badly I can ride if I have a mind to!! :lol: I have been planning it for years, but would have to have the Seatbone Saver with me, or I wouldnt be able to sit down, never mind ride, on those school saddles! Can make the excuse of my dodgy old back, and whiplash in the neck- say it had been recommended by an experienced friend

I really would like to do this, and as soon as I get time, riding schools look out!!

Heather

you wanna start with the one up the road from me?

overheard by me 'n liz ..........

*kick it, go on, kick it harder, kick it, kick it* ................. yelled "instructor" to kiddie    

me'n liz ......... (in unison!) *you dont kick!* .......... loud enough for "instructor" and kiddie to hear ......... "instructor" went quiet    

ruddy BHS    

[peggleshorse]

..... Yes would definately be a brilliant project but I do wonder Heather how many schools you would get round before shouting " I'm a celebrity, get me out of here!!! "  :lol:

What do you think the ABRS/BHS response would be?Bet they wouldn't be very happy since they seem to dish out approval cerificates willy nilly to any yard regardless of the conditions of horses or quality of instruction.
I do wonder if it's a money thing.Does the school have to pay an fee then an annual subscription to keep their names on the register.That would perhaps explain it but then that's another debate. <_<