Confidence Get Bruised? Put on Some Funny Socks and Get Your Butt Back in the Saddle!
Ok, I haven’t posted in awhile because I’ve been super busy with work, but also because my confidence got kicked into the dirt a little. No one’s fault really, but it made me realize that when you pick a trainer, you really need to do your homework first.
I had my first reining lesson about three weeks ago on a school horse. Long story short, I ended up getting off the horse, in tears, and walking out of the arena. I was completely convinced that I’m too thinned-skinned for riding lessons. Now that I’ve had a chance to calm down about it, I know that’s not true, but it will be awhile before I go hunting for a coach again.
I don’t know about riding instructors, but I’ve spent enough time in school to know that each teacher has his/her own style of teaching. I, naturally, learned the most with teachers that taught in a style that is best suited the way I learn. So, while the reining instructor that I had is probably extremely effective with other types of learners, with me the results were pretty upsetting (for both of us). I feel pretty bad about the way things ended up; the poor instructor probably didn’t know what happened to make me flee the arena.
I didn’t feel like riding for a week. I was walkin’ around with droopy shoulders and a “can’t do” attitude for days and days. You can only sulk around for so long though, I mean, there ARE horses to ride after all. So, one rainy afternoon, I pulled on my most cheerful pair of funny socks and marched out into the gray, the rain, and the mud and saddled up that “angry” horse that I love so much. After a few rides (and some Les Vogt DVD watching), all my self-confidence came back and I knoooow I can learn this stuff!
You know what would be great is if I could find an instructor that has also learned from Les Vogt, and teaches in a similar manner. Too much to ask? There must be one out there somewhere (hopefully in Washington State). 
Yes…those are English riding boots. They’re comfortable okay! And anyway, it’s too muddy out to wear my new boots. Jeeeeeeeez!
Kinda figured you were gettin things straightened out after your lessons. Seems to me you learned quite a bit from that lesson.
I’ve always said that ridin and trainin horses is easy. Trainin people is probably hardest thing a fella can do. Very few can do it and it just gets harder as skill levels go up.
30 Mar 2008 at 7:16 pm
Only lessON, not lessONS.
Thats me, the one lesson wonder. I’ve decided that I’m not going to have another lesson until I go to a Vogt clinic this summer. The date got moved back from March. I think the next one that I’ll be able to go to is in June. Thats not so far away. Leo and I are doing juuuuuust fine without any lessons. I’m learning so much from the DVD’s and from Leo. I swear, that horse has taught me so much since we started. But so have you Al! Have you gotten the Level II Cowhorse U yet? I feel like I shouldn’t get it until I have the first level mastered because I’ll be too tempted to try new stuff.
How are things going? Do you have any students yet? Did you find out about insurance?
We thought spring had sprung around here, but then it started to snow…at the end of March! Can you believe it! This is Washington, not Alaska. What the heck!
03 Apr 2008 at 1:36 am
MJ,
Sorry to read about your lesson. I’m curious as to what happened? I’m actually surprised that you got a reining trainer to give you a lesson in the first place, I don’t know of any who will take a non pro without them having a horse in full time training. Which makes me wonder where that trainer fits in on the food chain. Are there going to be any Rookie Days events in your area? They usually have 5+ local trainers there who help beginning reiners. It gives you an opportunity to see each trainer’s style. Good Luck!
PS, I have been a bad blogger over the winter, but I’m baaaack:)
03 Apr 2008 at 9:51 am
I think you’ll do just fine without lessons. You got the knowledge and the desire and ability to learn as you go. just keep pluggin away at it. Give things a little time to sink in and work. If you just know it ain’t workin, figure out why not. Kind of a simplistic explanation but for the most part it really is that easy.
Take a little time to figure where you started and where you are now. There’s a lot of good things happened from what I can see. Think about what made those good things happen. Then put a little plan together.
And don’t ever be afraid to ask questions or try something new. Even if it’s different from what the “pros” do. A lot of what you see sometimes is marketing not horse training.
I ain’t forgot about level II by no means. But sometimes when the government bails out those big cats boats they throw the water in my boat. So been trying to keep things going along and the feed levels stocked up here in the barn.
We ain’t started any lessons yet. Kinda still workin on a plan. We been haulin some horse for folks and that sure helps but keeps the schedules kinda up and down.
03 Apr 2008 at 10:10 pm
Al, I agree! No lessons for awhile! I have my plan. I should have just stuck to my plan for awhile longer to build up more confidence. And since you said that, I did take a minute to reflect on how far we’d come. Leo is a completely changed horse, and we’ve both improved in just about everything. Have you been able to get much training in yet? Any change in the weather?
Cindy, The trainer had his own school horse for beginners like me. Nothing major happened. It was just a bad match. I’m just not confident enough yet as a reiner and was too sensitive to learn well with his teaching style. I’m going to try to go to audit a clinic this month to just see how things are done before I jump in there again. I’m looking forward to all your posts this summer!
08 Apr 2008 at 1:38 am
We got the “normal” Illinois spring weather. Sunny and 65 one day, rain and wind the next, snow and cold the next. Also known as ride em, groom em and stay in the house and watch em weather.
Keep that confidence up. That’s half the battle. This ain’t easy. Not easy for trainers not easy for horses. But nothin worth havin ever is. Keep learnin, keep workin.
You’re gettin it even though sometimes seems you ain’t. I’ve got a couple horses that nobody but me rides. I wouldn’t only let you ride em, I’d ask you to. But you gotta wear cowboy boots…….
11 Apr 2008 at 4:53 am
By the way, what’s goin on with the Les Vogt clinic coming your way?
11 Apr 2008 at 4:56 am
Well thats a huge compliment Al. I think if I had my own horses, I’d be wary of having anyone else ride them, byu you’d be able to for sure too.
HaHa! I have to wear cowboy boots! Hey, when I start going out there to the ropings this summer, I promise to wear my cowboy boots. I’ll be sure to document the first occasion with a pic. I’d be wearing them now, but my spur straps fit the english boots better. I have to order some that fit.
There is a Vogt clinic a few hours to the north of where I am on the 25th of April. But the one I’m going to go to is in June. The one for March got moved to June. I’m so excited to go.
12 Apr 2008 at 10:52 am
Did you get my email for the reiner “aid” that I got listed on Ebay. Your really holding yourself back if you don’t it. The secret of the pros. Works great with English boots………
12 Apr 2008 at 11:00 am
No, but I shall go and find it now! Oh wait, works great with English boots. Ooooh, I think this must be a joke. I’ll never ever live down those boots will I?
Hey! Roping season starts on May 3rd! We’ll see how Leo does among the big dogs this summer.
15 Apr 2008 at 11:37 pm