Expect your first lesson to be a lot about posture and steering. I currently teach hunter/jumper and in the first lesson I usually get the student comfortable with the walk and if they are up to it the trot. They learn the basics of steering their horse and posture. Depending on your level you may or may not attempt a canter - this depends on a) your coach and b) the horse you are riding. I don't introduce the canter to my lesson students for at least six weeks. Overall, just expect it to be fun and totally educational.

my first lesson - ok, it wasn't a lesson and it was the third time i'd been on a horse, but anyways - consisted of a horse attempting to run away with me! i did get him stopped pretty quickly, but it rattled me a little. he then tried to run off again about 5 minutes later. we finally figured out that everytime i reached up to adjust my baseball cap, he caught sight of my hand moving and it spooked him. i got off and walked him the rest of the way in! i think my wife was embarressed about my cowardice, but was kind enough to never admit it to me! lol

i think i could use lessons!