I have been doing half hour solo weekly lessons for about a year and a half now fairly consistently (some weeks missed here or there because of illness or weather as there is not an indoor arena). In the beginning, I felt like I wa progressing really well. I was usually assigned one of two different horses, but it was OK. I was obviously more comfortable on the "barn favorite", but since that particular horse is used a lot, especially for the kids, I understand I can't be assigned him every lesson. The second horse ended up being sold, so since then I've been assigned a different horse. But I was quickly progressing with my posting trot and the instructor mentioned I could move to trying galloping on the lead rope soon. This was winter last year.

For the last 6 months or so I've been assigned the new horse who is trained but not trained to be a lesson horse. They have been teaching him to be a lesson horse. And I really struggle with him. I struggle getting him to respond to my cues (which I'm sure is my fault being green) and have to use the riding crop (but I never need it on other horses). He is also very spooky and will randomly side step or refuse to go to a certain area. I had my first fall on him a few months ago when he spooked and the saddle slipped. I did speak with a few other riders in the barn in passing, and they mentioned he spooks with them also. I can barely get him into the trot, so even though last year it was mentioned we may move to trying the gallop, I haven't done anything but still doing the posting trot.

I have no problem doing the basics repeatedly and working to improve and perfect them, but I'vebeen getting bored and frustrated. I get so excited when I'm assigned a different horse because those lessons I actually feel like I have fun and accomplish something. Is it still a me issue since I struggle getting the horse to respond? Is it just a bad horse/rider fit?