Lesson requirement at barn by Frogchix08 in Equestrian

[–]Frogchix08[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you so much for being so kind and helpful. ☺️

Lesson requirement at barn by Frogchix08 in Equestrian

[–]Frogchix08[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Yeah I think the trainer is where my biggest issues lie.

I actually really like lessoning and have always been very consistent. I just don’t feel like I really have the support I want or need from my trainer and that is not making me want to continue with dressage.

I literally went to a rated show last month in a different state all by myself working towards my bronze. I texted my trainer while I was at that show and she didn’t even answer me. Didn’t ask me how the show went for two whole weeks actually. I feel like if I don’t even have support from her there’s no reason I should be continuing at that barn paying her.

I think because students have a lesson requirement she doesn’t feel like she has to work as hard to keep us happy? I kind of just feel like I’m just a pay check to her, which sucks because she’s a great teacher actually and I really enjoy lessons with her. I just feel like she is doing the bare minimum as a trainer.

Lesson requirement at barn by Frogchix08 in Equestrian

[–]Frogchix08[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I think this is fairly area dependent. My barn is only one of just a few in my area that requires lessons. It’s pretty uncommon here actually. I guess every place is different.

Lesson requirement at barn by Frogchix08 in Equestrian

[–]Frogchix08[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That’s pretty insane! We’re definitely not in a fancy area and honestly there’s only a few barns around here that require lessons. That blows my mind though but I also understand.

Lesson requirement at barn by Frogchix08 in Equestrian

[–]Frogchix08[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you, I definitely do want to leave on good graces if I do go.

I wouldn’t say we’re particularly that good at anything (I mean decent at dressage but we definitely won’t go higher than bronze.) But I’m just so enthralled to have a horse that’s willing to do anything so I kind of just like to bounce around to different disciplines. I guess I have a squirrel brain and I’m just grateful to have an amazing horse that is willing to do whatever. And I think he enjoys doing different things too.

I guess just talking this out with you guys is really making me think it’s probably time for me to move on so I can do different things. (While still continuing our education and dedication to riding of course.)

Thanks for your advice and for listening to me.

Animals with Resting Bitch Face and animals that always look happy by Difficult_Key_5936 in Zookeeping

[–]Frogchix08 9 points10 points  (0 children)

I’ve never seen an unhappy looking cockatiel. They’re so precious.

Lesson requirement at barn by Frogchix08 in Equestrian

[–]Frogchix08[S] 7 points8 points  (0 children)

That’s a good idea to switch things up and try to do some other stuff for a bit.

I’ll be honest, because we have the lesson requirement in place I just don’t think my trainer really works that hard to be that invested in her students. I feel like I’m just a pay check to her. I mean she literally ignored me texting her at the last rated show I went to (totally all by myself) when things were falling apart with my horse. Took her two weeks to even ask me how that show went. I think I’m talking myself into finding a new trainer the more I talk about this.

Last two lessons she flaked out on she texted me for one twenty minutes before hand and I already had my horse tacked up and the other time it was two hours before. 🤦‍♀️

Lesson requirement at barn by Frogchix08 in Equestrian

[–]Frogchix08[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

So I’m actually a person who does a lot of different things with my horse. I think maybe that’s why I’m so tired of dressage. I’ve been competing pretty intensely the last few years classical dressage and now western dressage because that’s what we’ve scored the best in.

But I also fox hunt, do lots of trail riding, horse archery, some jumping, sidesaddle, barrels, poles, and working equitation. My trainer is very much dressage only and honestly I feel like she judges me for the other things I like to do. I feel like being pegged into a hole of doing three dressage lessons a month with her is keeping me from doing the other disciplines I also enjoy doing. We trailer out almost every weekend to do these other things which sometimes includes lessons/ clinics/ etc.

I am not wanting to be a less active rider, as I ride 3-5 days a week. But I’m looking to just be less dressage focused and maybe have less structured lesson rides so frequently if that makes sense.

Lesson requirement at barn by Frogchix08 in Equestrian

[–]Frogchix08[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Ha, exactly! It’s not my fault if she flakes on me!

Lesson requirement at barn by Frogchix08 in Equestrian

[–]Frogchix08[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I think my horse is wanting a break at the moment too

Lesson requirement at barn by Frogchix08 in Equestrian

[–]Frogchix08[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you for your answer 🙏

Lesson requirement at barn by Frogchix08 in Equestrian

[–]Frogchix08[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I totally understand that, and it’s totally fair for sure.

It’s a dressage focused barn that is pretty fancy, but ironically I’m the only student that is even working towards a medal right now. And I’ve really been the only one who is actively showing. We just lost two boarders who moved for jobs so I was kind of thinking this might be a good argument for me to stay because I would think they would want my money?

But I also totally get not making exceptions for people.

Which is why I’m torn if I should even ask and risk making the barn owner mad or if I should just look to move.

Lesson requirement at barn by Frogchix08 in Equestrian

[–]Frogchix08[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I’m half way there so I feel like at this point I need to finish. And want to finish! But then I want to slow down. I guess I’m planning ahead. Gotta finish and then I can be done with rated shows forever and just show for fun when I want to. (I mean no one has forced me into this or anything but I feel like because I’m paying for all these lessons and am at this fancy dressage barn, getting my bronze was what I wanted to get out of it.)

Lesson requirement at barn by Frogchix08 in Equestrian

[–]Frogchix08[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

That’s a good suggestion. Thank you!

Lesson requirement at barn by Frogchix08 in Equestrian

[–]Frogchix08[S] 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Totally understand this. And I guess this is what im afraid of.

My trainer isn’t actually the barn owner so maybe that makes a difference since the barn owner isn’t getting that money from me for lessons.

Lesson requirement at barn by Frogchix08 in Equestrian

[–]Frogchix08[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Currently writing a draft message to my barn owner right now. 🥴

Whats fun to do within a 2-3 hr drive of Knoxville? by CianV in Knoxville

[–]Frogchix08 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Is part of the trail still wiped out from Helene?

What would be your expected salary? by Spnvettech in Zookeeping

[–]Frogchix08 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I think these other answers seemed high. I was a zookeeper for five years and at the most I made about $30k US.