Sitting trot from canter

[Nimbus65]

I'm getting much better at sitting trot (thanks to loads of lunge lessons), but I still really struggle with staying in sitting trot in the downwards transition from canter to trot. One, the trot is much bouncier after the canter (and harder to sit to), and, two, I've gotten into the habit of automatically going rising. I clearly need to practice this loads, but any tips for keeping my seat deep in that downwards transition?

N

[Nik-n-Kia]

I've never really thought about this. Have you tried leaning back?? Most people lean forwards in downward transitions, My RI alwyas tells me tp spread my hips during transitions o make Kia more responsive and smoother off the leg and it seems to work.

Took me ages to get a deeper seat. I was soo used to riding short for jumping and eventing that I always looked perched in my dressage as long for me was 5 hole shorter than everyone else.

Keep practicing and I'm sure u'll nail it!!!

Nikki xxxx

[Bay Mare]

What's your sitting trot like usually? Have you had a look at the 'Kinder Way' section on this website as that gives good advice on absorbing the trot?

I agree with Nikki in that it might not help if you're leaning forwards and it's worth looking at your position and think about bringing your weight back but be carefull not to ACTUALLY lean back. A lot of dressage riders use the leaning back technique of absorbing the movement on big moving horses but it's technically incorrect and puts your weight in the wrong place so it depends what you're aiming for :)

It sounds as though you need to work you horse on achieving a smoother transition as well as yourself. We do tend to blame ourselves and usually for good reason but sometimes our horses don't help our cause!

Maybe try rising for a few strides before sitting and gradually reduce the number of rising strides.

[Skib]

But this downward transition from canter to sitting trot is known to be especially difficult isnt it?

It is the reason why my RI doesnt let me ride canter without stirrups.

If you have lunge lessons, (excellent anyway) I'd suggest a talk with your teacher and practicing it on the lunge. Though with stirrups I have never given it any thought.

[Skyhuntress]

The reason most people find it difficult in the downwards transition is because most of the horses (especially school horses) will hollow out their back and fall on the forehand, making them really rough gaited. I have a trainer who says that almost EVERYONE will have problems sitting once the horse hollows out his back-so the key is to prohibit him from doing so in the downward transition, When you ask for a transition, make sure you still keep your leg on and use a half halt to stop him from going on the forehand or basically launching himself into a trot. Sit back (obviously you shouldn't really be LEANING back, you just want to sit deep) tighten your tummy muscles and ask for the downwards transition-you'll find that if he keeps his back lifted, the transition goes SOOOO much smoother.

[Nimbus65]

Storm that makes so much sense. I've gotten much better at holding the horse "into" a downwards transition so that I can hold from trot to walk and from walk to halt . . . it's the holding from canter to trot that's eluding me. I think I'm holding my breath (which would make me somewhat rigid and tense and cause the horse to hollow away from me) in anticipation of the bumpiness. I'll ask for a lunge lesson so I can work on this . . .

My sitting trot is actually pretty good these days (lesson after lesson w/out stirrups), it's the transition part I need to work on. Interestingly, my instructor has had me think about "rolling into" sitting from rising as I ask for that downwards transition from trot rather than just abruptly sitting and I do find that the trot is smoother (probably because I haven't caused the horse to hollow away from me). Just need to unclench my nether regions, remember to breathe and apply my brain to that canter to trot transition ;)

Thanks :)

N

[Skyhuntress]

Just need to unclench my nether regions, remember to breathe and apply my brain to that canter to trot transition ;)

Thanks :)

N


Actually, that's a good point, because I know that when I work on this transition, I have to remind myself to relax my pelvis...especially when I am on a green horse, because I KNOW that until they learn to keep the back lifted, the transition will be rough and by balance will be affected, so I automatically (and wrongly) tense up the pelvis to try to absorb the movement, but instead of absorbing it, I'll bounce like a sack of potatoes!