Have someone video your lesson. Make sure you have a quality instructor you are not wasting money on. Group lessons are usually cheaper. Practice on your own in between lessons and think of what your instructor would be saying to you. If you do not ride frequently or you work your horse hard or on hard ground, you may be able to get away with him going barefoot, if he has tough hooves.
Many people just shoe their horses on the front hooves.
If you know you aren't going to be riding for a long time, say, over the winter, you could also remove shoes. Talk with your farrier to see if this would be good for your horse. Once the shoes are off, don't forget that regular trimmings are still necessary. Cut unnecessary vaccinations. Talk with your vet to see what shots are essential for your area and horse activity level.