I'm thinking about asking to half lease the lesson horse I ride at my barn...he's quite young and not super educated but a lovely boy and is almost never naughty under saddle. He can be a bit dead to aids (lesson horse lol) and has trouble with his right lead canter but I am still a beginner so I guess that's not a huge issue? Thoughts?
If you’re a beginner and eager to learn, I think half lease on a lesson horse is an excellent idea. You’ll be able to spend more time in the saddle, refine everything you’re learning at your own rythm, you’ll learn how to care for a horse in a more independent way and you’ll be able to actually build a bond with the horse (not always easy with lesson horses you don’t see often).
Even if you encounter difficulties (and, warning: you probably will), it can only be a rewarding experience. Actually, a horse with the slight training issues you’re talking about can be a good thing : you’ll have the right amount of time to learn how to react to them and correct them if you can. Enjoy!!