horseless....riding school lessons or wait for part share?

[bailey]

ok, the title explains....

im currently horseless, like a few other EW i noticed

there are currently no sharer advertised in my local area, so im thinking, should i just wait and keep looking
or
should i have riding lessons at a riding school to get me used to riding other horses?

you see i wasnt one of those kids/adults that hopped on others horses and rode them, i was used to riding my own and new my limits ect, but im a bit apahensive when i start trying out horses, i will look silly as i havnet have alot of experience riding other horses other than my own

the last time i had a group lesson at a riding school, it was a disaster, and i felt like i had had a good work out, but hadnt learnt a single thing, maybe a single lesson would be better?

just a bit unsure really

all thoughts would be welcomes, please help

p.s) emmalou i noticed you have lessons and are horseless, how long have you been having lessons ect

[flambards]

I'm horseless where I am and am sustaining myself through lessons. I think you should go for it! It sounds like you may prefer having one-on-one lessons, which may be a little more expensive but could be worth it if you feel you get more out of it.

It's really worthwhile to get yourself used to riding a big variety of horses, because then you're not as limited in your options when you do look at a share horse. For example, if you've ridden a lazy horse in the school, you'll be better prepared to work with a lazy horse as a share.

Try to find the best instructor you can afford. Watch them teach a few lessons with other students to see if you like their teaching style and if the students seem to improve over the course of the lesson. If they don't want you to watch their lessons, chances are good you don't want to take lessons from them (in my experience). If it seems like you'll mesh well and be able to trust him/her, lessons will probably be a very rewarding experience.

[chescar]

I often have a sharer over winter, just one or two nights a week as we don't have winter turn out and my work load can get a bit busy. Will keep you posted if you are interested.

[My Crazy Clan]

I would have some lessons, getting used to other horses can be hard for some people but this way you are still learning on all types.

[Loony]

I've been having group lessons for 6 years now!! I absolutely love them but for the past year I've hit a dead end and don't seem to be learning much due to the fact that I can't continually iron out any flaws I have due to only riding once a week and doing different things each week. Also, because I'm riding different horses all the time, I just can't work on anything. I'm constantly adjusting each week.

BUT, I would recommend lessons. They're great fun, I love all the people I have lessons with and I love my instructor. Riding different horses will make you a better rider - riding school horses are most definately not push button horses so you'll adapt new skills of getting different horses working to a good standard. What works with one won't work with another! Some horses will definately challenge you, but if you're anything like me, you'll love being challenged every once in a while! At least then you can get on a strange horse without being anxious about it :). I think most people who have their own horse forget what it's like to ride other horses because they know what to expect out of their horse and they know what works with them.. then they try that on another horse and find that its actually very different!!

I think you should have private lessons, that way you can choose what you want to work on and all the attention will be on you.

In the mean time you could put up an ad on horsemart looking for a share horse or in your local tack shop. So that way you're still riding and still looking! I think people have better luck finding a horse when they put up wanted adverts.

[CityLights]

having lessons can sometimes not be that benefical in terms of learning things once you get to a certain level, especialliy in a group, but getting out and getting on different things is a good learning curve in its self, you may benefit more from individual lessons than a group but if you find a good riding school you should still learn plenty in a group there are probably lots of people out there who have had horses and arent beggingers but find themselves without a horse

it would also be good to get you back in the saddle anyway as going to try out a horse you dont know after being out of the saddle for a while could be a bit daugnthing regaurdless of how confident you are usually

[Loony]

having lessons can sometimes not be that benefical in terms of learning things once you get to a certain level, especialliy in a group

Thats where I am now! :lol: :rolleyes:

[bailey]

cheers for all your comments

totaly agree with riding different horses, one way of riding my work for one but not the other horse
exsp lazy horses, im defo not used to them. which is sumthink i do need to work on.

Thankyou for that chescar, that kind of you too.

i think il enquire at a few riding schools ect

emmalou, can i ask why you dont share? and choose to have lesson instead until you have the money to buy your own? sorry to be nosey
i know im being nosey but im trying to see it from this side of the fence where were horseless

[sazzy925]

I think it's worth having lessons, so long as you find a decent riding school. If you're coming out of a lesson feeling as though you've learnt nothing, then I wouldn't call that a decent riding school - have a scout around and see if you can find some where that you think you'll learn something and then give it a go.

[Loony]

Ask all you want, I don't mind! :)

I've never shared or loaned, other than helping Gem out with Saffy but thats because she was already someone I knew, because I'm a bit of a pansy!! I don't like the idea of always having to check with someone else first before doing anything. If I made a mistake, at least with my own horse I can just get angry at myself, rather than having to disappoint another person too. I'm just too independant I suppose!! I've just never really been interested in doing it.. its all or nothing for me! :D

ETA: I think you will get a shock when you're shoved on one of the lazy ones!! Its a bit frustrating sometimes that you're really working hard riding a horse that just has no passion in being ridden.. but it'll definately give you some extra experience. I think if you can get one of their laziest horses to really listen to you and work off your leg, you can ride anything!! :)

[bailey]

Thats fair enougth

i quite liked it when i was sharing OG to another lady, but if & when i get my own yard (i will get it, even if it kills me lol) i defo wouldnt share as its on your doorstep, where as before i was doing 20mile round trip after work, it was a trek, so sharing helped me out as i had time to sort other stuff out inbetween

but i understand where your coming from

what limit are you saving to before you buy?

[Loony]

Good luck with getting your own yard!!! I think its what we all dream of isn't it :D

I have no limit, I'm just so shocked I've managed to get this much! I only work part time at the minute as I left college early this year. I've been looking since then for a full-time job and I'm not having much luck! Once I have a full-time job, I'll start looking.. it's just all a matter of who's actually going to hire me :sick:

[bailey]

well i have my house to sell, but if me and my partner look for somewhere together we should be able to get a place, nufink mega or owt but a house with 3 acres and a stable would do me fine lol

what type of roles ect are you looking for, what are you wanting to do as a job in life?

[Loony]

I have absolutely no aims unfortunately, I've basically wasted most of my education! Although I did come out with good results thankfully :lol:

I'm looking to get into adminstrative roles but I would basically take anything that pays enough and is consistent.

[Twizzel]

If there's no part loans in your area I'd go for a few private lessons but keep an eye out for any shares coming up. I rode at a riding school for 4 years (3 years was spent at 1 school), and you get to ride an array of horses- in my 3 years at the riding school down here, I rode anything from a 13hh Exmoor pony up to 18.1hh Shire x TB, just broken 4 year olds right up to 28 year old veterans, showjumpers to ex eventers to dressage horses.

That said, I did hit a brick wall with my riding as riding once a week is never enough once you've got the basics. I'd been looking for a share for a good year but nothing came up. In Sept 2008 I started sharing a horse for the first time, ended the share in May '09 as it was costing me £110 month and about £20 petrol each week, and the horse wasn't going to do what I wanted. Now I help out with 4 fantastic horses and ride 2 of them- one is a 15.3hh cob and the other a 17.2hh TBx. I couldn't be happier with the sitation and the owners are fantastic.

So yes, go for lessons to keep you ticking over, but keep an eye out for any shares coming up... put an ad in the paper and on the internet and I'm sure you'll find something :)