Thanks everyone - as an update I had another lesson with #2 and it went really well. I spent a few minutes communicating my goals as well as how I felt in our previous lessons. I think we figured it each other out more and they spent longer going through each exercise beforehand - why we were doing it - what I can expect and answering questions I have and then we’d move on to the exercise where they’d give me specific feedback on what they were seeing (more left leg, shoulders back/sit up, etc, etc.)
They again reiterated the need to strengthen my horse and myself and mentioned that drastically altering my position or our way of going will be too much too soon and that they hope to get us to progress slowly but in a meaningful way that will set us up for success and soundness (noted no deep seat in the canter yet, etc.). They mentioned how the focus on my position is so key because my horse has a propensity of going on the forehand that I need to focus on keeping my shoulders back, core engaged and elbows at my side to really be able to ride him from behind and build up his strength.
In the past I’ve felt like he was behind my leg and I needed to kick him forward and push him into a more forward gait (whether walk trot or canter) but she explained I dont just need my leg to get him in front but can also use my seat and core. She said to stop pushing him into faster gaits as hes not ready - instead that will only encourage him to fall forward - but need to work on improving and engaging the hind while going slower and build on that.
I saw a lot of immediate improvements in the lesson and I do think some of what they had said in previous lessons made more sense after asking questions/letting them explain. They are approaching it all from a different place than others but I also think that may challenge me more in that the exercises are not things I would think of doing and I agree with her that so much of our core issues stem from me not staying centered and tipping forward which just gives my horse what he wants and can fall forward.
They are also much more calm in how they goes about anything - softer/smaller corrections which I do think will create a better, mor responsive horse in the long run. They noted I’m riding an OTTB and they are very sensitive and they’ve made me more aware of the efforts my horse does make where as most other trainers have told me to be more forceful with him that I dont expect enough of him. This is true to an extent but I also think we are both anxious and rush so the idea of slowing down will hopefully help a lot of things. I’ve never been able to get this horse to relax and really stretch in the trot and I feel like we already seeing glimpses of that which is exciting.
Still working to set something up with #3 when possible and will still ask who they recommend. There are a ton of trainers but being new to dressage I really dont know who is reputable and many wont travel for lessons and i dont have a trailer so tough for me to go to them more than the occasionally.
Also worth noting that trainer #1 and #3 I was still riding in my close contact saddle and told them I was looking to really just improve my riding - since #2 I’ve gotten a dressage saddle and mentioned possibly showing at training next year so that may have impacted the general approaches.
