Importance Of Riding Lessons?

Couldn't agree more. I find it quite disturbing that some people think they don't need lessons any more because they've been riding a couple of years and already know how to do it! I've been riding for 29 years now, and I still take lessons; it can be easier to spot problems from the ground and I appreciate another person's perspective. I break in horses, I've trained more than I can be bothered to count right now, and I have my BHSAI, and I know fine well I'm not perfect!

We cannot over-stress the importance of lessons. Olympic riders have frequent lessons, so why on earth should the rest of us not?!

Lessons are a really good idea when someone wants to get into horses. But you are right they are not the most important thing someone can do. I've never taken a riding lesson in my life. When I was a child I was put on a pony if I stayed on great, if not well I got back on tried to figure out where I went wrong. The most important thing for someone to do around horses is to recognise your limitations. ASK QUESTIONS and don't try to do anything beyond your experience. Although I was around horses much of my childhood and read tons of material, my real education started when I bought my first horse 15 years ago. I had some really good friends who had owned horses all their lives who helped me a bunch in the beginning. People who have owned and ridden horses their whole lives should leave their minds open to the possibility that they don't know everything there is to know.

Totally, absolutely agree 100% on the importance of regular riding lessons. Even professional riders still take lessons. And most people who know something about horses started out learning it from their trainers. You should also know that not all trainers are created equal. And the joke is that among a group of two horse people there will be three different ways to do things. Listen to everyone, but use your common sense when deciding what advice to act on.

Word!

I COMPLETELY agree with you. While the "How much does it cost to own a horse" questions are very plentiful and slightly irritating, when you get past that you do have to admit that they are a valid question. At least people are trying to plan ahead (I just wish they'd check the archives first!) ;)

But some things are better left to the experts to teach you hands-on, in person. I agree that safety is the one big thing that is most important...it is so easy to get hury or hurt someone else (person or horse) through ignorance. Learning is great and no one should ever put a limit on educating themselves, but you have to figure out what the most appropriate way to learn is first!

I never had real riding lessons until my early 30's. However, I was breaking horses to ride by age 11, and working with people's problem horses in my pre-teen years. I was an avid and advanced reader at an early age (I was reading college level books by age 6 and got accepted into college by age 12 - so I was not the normal 'child'.) I do think lessons are extremely important AND I think it's very important to get lessons from more than one person AND read as much as possible. It's very easy for novices in any sport to get 'duped' by what they think are knowledgeable people in their chosen hobby. To this day, I get about 15 books a month delivered to my house from equinecollection.com and I subscribe to several magazines (like 9 or more.) There is more than one right way to do things with horses but there's lots of misinformation about. Now, I ride dressage and take lessons twice a week (from two different trainers.) I also go to as many clinics with as many different trainers as possible. A lot of times I don't like or agree with what I learn. But, frequently, I get a real gem of knowledge that opens new doors for me! And, oh........the bad habits I developed in my youth that I will spend the rest of my life unlearning!

I totally agree.

Another thing you didn't mention is that your riding instructor knows you and your horse better then the posters on any forum. Your instructor most likely knows your horses quirks and what exercises would help you, and which ones would not.

My riding instructor has become my friend over the years. My horse-friends are my closest friends, with my riding instructor on the top of the list, even though she is an adult, and I am 15.

I totally agree riding lessons with a competent trainer is the best thing anyone can do to improve their knowledge. Also a good trainer may not have the answer to a specific question but will be willing to find it or refer you to some one who does. Don't forget the other sources of info such as your vet and farrier

good comment, but i still dont like how kids tend to think they could get a horse when they have no idea about them and when rich parents buy children horses and make them do absolutely nothing for them appart from ride them when they want to... horses are living breathing things, not machines.

I think you have given them good advice there... anyone who wants to own or ride a horse should have lessons, anyone looking to own a horse should spend a couple of weeks working on a yard finding out the responibilities behind owning a horse and educate themselves on illnesses and problems that can occur so they can give thier horses the best kind of life.

Only I have to ask... what was the question behind this, I don't quite understand?

I agree I never toke "lessons" but I have four people teaching me and mentoring me, two of them are trainers and one owns a school. I enjoy having four people helping me because I get different opinions from different perspectives and I can apply the ones that make more sense to me. (as long as I don't put my horse at risk, if it comes to health issues I have a wonderful vet that I can call for consultations). I use yahoo answers for different opinions and suggestions, I don't necessarily apply what someone suggests here because I have know idea who they are, but the information can be useful.

Agreed.

I also agree with Jj.

I think that people who don't see you regularly will have a bit more of a flawed opinion of what your abilities are. I have people w ho coach me and am happily getting back into riding lessons tomorrow. :)