Re: RC: Horse Training HELP!

["Olivia Greene" <greene_olivia@hotmail.com>]

Two suggestions from an endurance rider who's also taught dressage for many 
years:
   1)  Take some lessons (basic training level dressage or the equivalent) 
on a well-trained school horse to rebuild your confidence and add to your 
abilities and knowledge/technique.  You will probably spend some initial 
time with the new instructor simply establishing a relationship of mutually 
respectful trust. You will each need to be compassionate and willing 
partners in your riding and training education.
   2)  Obtain and read the book "Driven Dressage" by Heike Bean.  Yes, I 
realize you haven't mentioned driving your horse, but this book contains 
clearly explained principles of dressage that are very suitable for ridden 
trail horses as well. This reference should help you evaluate any training 
of your horse (by yourself and/or by a professional trainer) in the 
interests of safety and appropriateness for your situation.

- Olivia Greene

>From: GrgGmiller@aol.com
>To: ridecamp@endurance.net
>Subject: RC:  Horse Training HELP!
>Date: Mon, 20 Mar 2000 17:08:09 EST
>
>I need some advice from the experienced riders out there, preferrably with
>dressage & endurance experience........
>I bought my first young horse 2 yrs ago, trained her myself with the help 
>of
>John Lyons video tapes .  All went well for first 15 months, until she
>approached 4  1/2 yrs old.  I started taking dressage lessons with her and
>asking for light contact.  Within 3 months of lessons, I have gotten
>"bronc'd" off twice.  Once on the trail after crossing water on a loose 
>rein,
>  and once in the arena practicing 20 meter circles at the trot.  Thinking 
>I
>might need her and me in full dressage training, I changed instructors.  My
>mare has been in full training for 4 months now.  The trainer says that it
>will be another 6 months before she is ready to take out on the trail, that
>she is very insecure and I am too novice to handle her on the trail.  It is
>costing $800 per month to train her and me.  At this rate, I will have a
>$10,000.  5 yr old trail arabian!  I have been riding horses for 5 years, 5
>days a week, taking dressage lessons constantly.  I am competent, but not
>highly experienced.  MY QUESTION:  Does this sound normal, or is my pocket
>book the one getting trained?
>P.S.  The instructor loves to tell me how uncapable I am and how everytime 
>I
>ride her, she (the trainer) has to spend 2 days fixing her.  I have lost 
>all
>confidence in myself and my decisions.  HELP.
>BON
>
>
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