I'm wondering, is tacking up/grooming an actual part of a lesson? Or at least in some barns? I've seen some people say you tack up and groom before your allotted time, then you get to ride for how long you paid for, and some people say their horse is already tacked up and groomed when they get there.

A while back at my lesson the gelding I was riding was giving me trouble with picking up his hooves, he doesn't like to pick up the front ones, and by the time I had done everything else and was on, it was almost 40 minutes into my one hour lesson. Therefore I couldn't ride very long. That doesn't seem right but I don't know if it's normal? I also sometimes have to get the horse from the pasture so that's another thing.

Obviously, I can't really say anything because well, my barn isn't going to change their entire system for one person, and I don't mind it. Now I've gotten more experience so I'm quicker, but like, is that a common thing/experience? is it normal?

Update: thank you all for the comments. I actually got a new trainer because my old one is doing different hours now. at my next lesson I’m just going to ask my trainer about it. when I can start tacking up and grooming on my own before the lesson, like the comments suggested.

But, I have another question along with that. what if you get there, 30 minutes before your lesson to tack up and groom, and someone is riding the horse you need? When this happens to me I get there and the horse is already in the cross ties waiting to be groomed and tacked up, but if I'm early and someone is on it I have no idea what I would do. But yes, I will ask my trainer about it.