Lesson Horse pulling reins opposite way
So I've had about 5 horse riding lessons in a new barn, I'm a total beginner and they have been great, I have enjoyed them. These are group classes with 2 instructors. Lately I had been focused on improving my seated trot and also my posting trot.
But last class I got to ride a different horse, when I was walking him at first everything was fine.
But then I started to trot him and I noticed he would go to the center of the arena by himself and I tried to pull the reins the opposite way towards the rail but I couldn't make him turn.
From that on he would always go to the center or towards other horses at the center while walking or doing anything. I would pull the reins to go left and he would go right, and the other way around.
Basically he was fighting every rein cue. So the entire lesson I couldn't direct him and I didn't manage to practice a simple trot or even walk. Even at the end of the lesson I couldn't manage to stop him properly when I wanted to, he would keep walking.
My instructor got on the horse I was on and she rode him beautifully, so I don't know if the horse is uncomfortable with my riding or he knows he can just do whatever he wants with me riding him now.
One instructor told me I had to pull harder to the side I wanted to go when he fought me with his head towards the other side, that I didn't have to be rough but use all my strength and control the horse and not let him control me. Also that my reins were too long.
The other instructor told me I was too tense and I had to relax, to not look down, and he also told me to be more gentle with the rein cues, but I thought I was being gentle before I had to "fight him" back.
I don't really know what happened or how to improve this, maybe the way I pull my reins is not right? I try to keep my hands low and open the arm towards the way I want to go, like moving my hand to that side. I really put a lot of thought into technique and for a beginner I was told I have a good sit and feet position. I'm usually not corrected that much while riding because I keep those things in mind all the time. So I don't know. I ended up really frustrated.
The other students also have trouble riding this horse sometimes, but the girl that used to rode him did learn how to work with him eventually after like 4 lessons. And I want to learn too.
Does anyone know what this could be, or how you would manage this and work with this horse if it were you? Has anyone gone through something like this?
I would appreciate just some words of encouragement if you relate honestly 🥲