Lessons on Your Own Horse
If you already own a horse, you may want to eventually use it for your lessons to improve your ability to handle your own horse. Ask up front if the facility permits this. Some will allow riders to truck in their own horses for lessons, while others may offer instruction only to their boarders.
Getting the Most Out of Your Riding Sessions
Whether you ride a lesson horse or your own horse, there are some things you can do to get the most out of your sessions. First, be calm. Your calmness will help your horse to be calm. Horses can sense when their riders or handlers are nervous. Your tension and anxiety will convince your horse that there is cause for him to be nervous, too.
Remember to breathe. Holding your breath or taking shallow short breaths creates tension in you and your horse. Breathing normally will help you stay relaxed. Keep in mind that the horse can feel a fly land on any part of her body — so she can feel whatever you're doing up there, right through all that saddle leather.
Depending on your horse's temperament and level of education, the beginning rider may benefit more from taking lessons on the stable's horses to advance his skills on well-schooled mounts. After acquiring the basic skills, you can switch to your own horse with more confidence.
Learn about how your horse perceives things and try to assess situations from his perspective. If you come upon a trouble spot with your horse, try to think like an animal of prey. Maybe that rustle in the tall grass means a predator is hiding there. That strange dog lurking on the other side of the fence may be a wolf scouting for dinner.
Develop your awareness of how the horse responds to what you do. The more aware you are of your body, your horse's body, and your surroundings, the better able you will be to adjust what you are doing to fit what the horse needs at the time. Sit on your horse like you intend to be there and do something. Don't slouch or sit stiffly and expect your horse to react positively. Move with the horse. Hold your position in a relaxed, inviting way and ride with purpose.
Always cool out your horse by walking her on a long rein for the last 15 minutes of the session. Do not let her eat or drink while she's still hot and breathing hard. In warm weather, hose off the sweat and remove the excess water from her coat with a sweat scraper. In colder weather, sponge the sweaty areas with warm water and dry her off with towels.
Do what you are ready for and work on preparing to get ready for more. To progress in riding, you have to challenge yourself and push past your comfort zone. But don't step up to the canter out on the trail if you don't think either of you are ready for it.
Avoid gimmicks. If a piece of tack or a training device claims to work miracles, know it's just a marketing tactic. Effective riders don't need gimmicks because they've learned how to get their horses to respond without them. Nothing except hard work and good instruction can help you attain the proper skills.
