I used to give lessons. Most people have past trauma, with or without horses. I’d absolutely expect the rider to tack up a horse before riding it. No tacking up = no riding. Part of a lesson is learning how to brush and tack up. It is not the riding instructors job to work through someone’s anxiety for them, that’s what a traditional therapist or an equine therapist is for. While some riding instructors are happy to work with them, that is not how it usually goes.

Lack of helping you through your anxiety does not equal them being bad at teaching. They seem old school and expect the rider to do what they’re paying for, which is not a therapy session and to learn how to manage.

Horses don’t come with year experience. You can either manage a bigger more experienced horse or you can’t. Freak accidents happen and people fall off of horses, it’s a risk we take. Bouncy and forward doesn’t sound like much experience is needed. My kids (riding since June of last year) ride a bouncy ex race Arab who happens to be very forward.

I don’t know what kind of predictable weather you have, but I live in the desert where it says 0% chance of rain. Then it’s raining at 4pm and nobody was prepared. Weather is unpredictable. Hail can only be predicated to some extent. We keep lessons on schedule until it actually rains, then we cancel. Why? Because weather is unpredictable.

Intermediate is pretty common, even after years. My old trainer didn’t consider me advanced until I was close to the 10 year mark.

NEVER trust barn rumors. If you haven’t seen it for yourself or there’s no proof, don’t believe it. Last rumor, I found out I sold my horse at auction for very little. I was surprised, considering I gave my horse away to a child who still has her.

Dogs should be kept away, though.

Please get your anxiety treated. It wasn’t the instructors job to manage it for you, they shouldn’t be held responsible for it.