Any advice?

[Fallenride]

Hi!

I am new here and this is my first post. Well, I just started riding about two months ago and in a few weeks I am going to start cantering. I have my next lesson tomorrow and I am going to trotting with no stirrups! Any tips?

~Anna

[Bay Mare]

If you're not starting cantering yet then don't stress about the canter :) Concentrate on stressing about the trot ;) Sorry, didn't really mean that :D

Trotting without stirrups ... my best advice would be to try to relax but that's a lot easier said than done! It is the best thing that you can do though :)

My next bit of advice would be to have a look at the 'Kinder Way' section of this site which gives some excellent info on absorbing the movement of the trot.

Lastly (thank goodness she says) don't try to sit to the trot for too long, a few steps at a time to get you used to the movement. It's better to do two steps and then take a break than a whole circuit where you get more and more tense and bounce more and more in the saddle. You don't learn anything, you tense up so bounce more and your horse won't like it very much.

Will you be doing this on the lunge? If it's a private lesson it might be a good idea as it means that you can concentrate on you instead of having to worry about keeping the horse going.

And really lastly .... GOOD LUCK AND ENJOY :D

[JustJas]

I would say trotting without stirrups just relax and balance! After that everything is so much easier!

[vonandiz]

I find sitting trot without stirrups so much easier than sitting trot with stirrups.:) Really basic advice as not experienced myself ... try not to tense up and do not grip with your knees as this will make you bounce bounce bounce - at least in my limited experience it did! Good luck & enjoy.

[mudcakes79]

Hi
I'm new too!

When I first started to ride a few yrs ago I done the trot without stirrups-I loved it-it felt great!


I recently started lesson again but my new RI hasn't done this yet.

Enjoy yourself.

[anna15]

best thing to remember is relax! keep your shoulders back and just let your body hang down. dont grip with your legs! and try to st right on your seat bones.

[Iron Maiden]

My advice would be breathe, chill, look up & make sure you've got a smile on your face!! If you find you're losing your balance, steady yourself by holding on the front of the saddle or the horse's mane, whatever you do don't use the reins for balance. But the more relaxed you are the less you will bounce and the easier you'll find it to keep your balance. Good luck & enjoy yourself!

[xRach21x]

hi
i had my third lesson on thursday and i did trit with no stirrups. i was terrified when she told me the week before but i really enjoyed it! i found it easier to give leg aids and i must be able to balance well as i didnt seem to wobble or fall off and i didnt hold on to anything. i was relly impressed. hope you are too!
xxx

[*toHorse&Away*]

Relax, look up, let your legs drape around the horse. Breathe and go with the movement. You will be fine :)

[Talesofthehorse]

Just relax with no stirrups, I was told to think of my favourite food to distract me, so trotted along saying faijitas over and over!

if you can go on a lunge to start with that is also good because you don't have to worrying about direction!