Remember my tales about Riding Instructors (and Part 2)?

 

 

 

Here is the other side of the equation…. a few of the students that at times I’ve met, ridden with, taught, and possibly even been.

 

…..continued from Riding Students – Part 1

2.  Miss-Knows-Everything

This student came to me to lease a horse. She was adamant that she didn’t NEED any lessons.

She listed her credentials……..she’d been riding horses “all her life”….. young horses, bad horses, rodeo horses…..

She listed out her resume and let me know that she would be in town for a couple of months and just wanted something to ride while she was here. She’d even take a horse in need of some training as she was skilled enough for a bad actor.

 

 

I patiently explained our policies.

In order to lease a horse, the rider had to demonstrate their skill level. There would be training on the ground and under saddle to make sure it was a good match, and that all the stable policies would be followed……I think that’s called a “lesson” by the way……

I put Miss-Knows-Everything on my best horse.

My husband (who is NOT a rider) rides this horse.

 

Children…… ride this horse.

My friends & I have ridden this horse all over the country.  He is the epitome of patient and bombproof.

Miss-Knows-Everything climbed aboard and I started explaining where all the buttons were.

 

When she aggressively pulled on the right rein while just as violently pressing with her right leg (and my well trained pony obediently bent his head to the right and carefully stepped to the left………….)

 

 

 

I knew I was in trouble.

 

Next came the explanations about seat & leg, and that turning was done with the rider’s body not the horse’s face……………

 

After some commentary from Miss-I-Don’t-Need-Lessons about my lovely boy not being well trained…………

 

 

 

I calmly explained that any horse that’s somewhat trained under saddle should understand to move AWAY from leg pressure……… which she needed to pay attention to while attempting to steer….

 

She just couldn’t grasp the concept………. and after some really interesting attempts at turning….

 

 

 

she finally screamed, “Don’t you have any horses that are trained ONLY to turn by pulling on their face?????”