Embarassed about Sitting Trot

[wanabe]

A couple of months ago I posted that I had "got" the sitting trot. This was based on comments from my RI, but I now understand that she fits the description of the RI who has you ride endless laps stirrupless until you get it own your own. :rolleyes:

After reading most of the previous posts on sitting trot plus Heather's comments on this, I now realize that there's more to sitting trot than just sitting on a horse while it's trotting!

So, since I'm riding on my own twice a week now, I've been practicing as many have recommended. I put up my stirrups and try to make the proper movements for a few strides and then drop back to walk -- and repeat.

So far, I haven't had that "ah ha, this is great!" moment. What I'm doing is rolling my seat bone up and foward when the horse moves his shoulder forward on that side. The "up" movement, I think, corresponds to the forward arch of the lower back bone that Heather says must happen. So, the mental image I have of what I'm doing is "walking" as a person would do if they had no legs. The problem I have is that even in a slow trot, I don't have time to get my spine back into a neutral position! I can do the up/forward movement on each side but I can't straighten my back quickly enough between up/forward movements.

Any advice?

[Nazdaq]

I'm not sure on the advice thing, but isn't the key with sitting trot to relax and let the horse move you? If you actively try to move with the horse isn't that the same as driving with your seat?
Just playing devil's advocate here, I don't know the answer. :D

[Keket]

I'm not sure on the advice thing, but isn't the key with sitting trot to relax and let the horse move you? If you actively try to move with the horse isn't that the same as driving with your seat?
Just playing devil's advocate here, I don't know the answer. :D

That's what I've always found. With me on my horse, I find the movement is very much one hip dips, then the other hip dips. Almost like belly dance or walking in high heels. :p When I've tried to push for the movement, I've ended up off rhythm. I could only see actively pushing with your seat if you were trying to a) extend or b) increase impulsion. When you have the trot you want, I find it much easier to relax the lower back and let the horse move you.

[Blair Witch]

The sitting trot is always hard to master, especially since it's different on every horse. Right now I'm training a 3 yr old paint and her trot is very bouncy. It took me about a month to get her collect enough so I could sit comfortably.

You can practise with or without stirrups, you'll eventually get it either way. What I tell my students to do is lean back slightly and relax all their muscles. Focus on sitting on jean pockets and keeping everything flexible. If you feel you must grip your horse to keep your balance, squeeze with your thighs instead of your calves and make sure your heels are far down, without any weight in your stirrups. It takes a lot of trial and error. Smooth horses are easier to sit the trot on than choppy ones. Also, ask your horse to drop it's head and round its body. That will smooth things out.

[Skyhuntress]

The sitting trot is always hard to master, especially since it's different on every horse. Right now I'm training a 3 yr old paint and her trot is very bouncy. It took me about a month to get her collect enough so I could sit comfortably.


Just out of curiosity, but why sitting trot on a 3 year old? Do you train western?


Anyways, the rest I agree with. I find that on my bigger moving warmbloods, I DO have to lean back slightly, keep my pelvis loose (which is really, really hard for me) and absorb the movement with my lower back. I also find that I need to keep my toes pointed inwards, because if you point them outwards, you lose your grip with your calves and start pinching with your thighs and knees

[horse_crazy]

another thing to think about when sitting the trot is amagen you are maralen munro doing her walk. my ri told me this last week and it helped me to move with the horse.

[wanabe]

another thing to think about when sitting the trot is amagen you are maralen munro doing her walk. my ri told me this last week and it helped me to move with the horse.

Since I'm male, I think I'll pass on that one! :)

[wanabe]

Just out of curiosity, but why sitting trot on a 3 year old? Do you train western?


Anyways, the rest I agree with. I find that on my bigger moving warmbloods, I DO have to lean back slightly, keep my pelvis loose (which is really, really hard for me) and absorb the movement with my lower back. I also find that I need to keep my toes pointed inwards, because if you point them outwards, you lose your grip with your calves and start pinching with your thighs and knees

I've been trying to sit without gripping ANYWHERE. Should I be gripping with my calves?

[Nazdaq]

You should NOT grip with your calves but have them in contact with the sides of the horse, gentley 'hugging' it. Just making contact basically. Don't grip hard. :D

[Skyhuntress]

I've been trying to sit without gripping ANYWHERE. Should I be gripping with my calves?

Nope - but they should be wrapped completely around the barrel of the horse (that's what I mean about grip). If your legs are too far forward, or if your toes are pointed out, you will not be able to do this

[Hallmarked]

I have been recently fortunate enough to be able to visit East Leigh Farm for a lesson with Heather on her Equisimulator. I would recommend you do the same but as I notice that you live in Texas it might be a bit far for you to travel. About 12 hours on a plane each way - lovely. But if you ever do get the chance - go for it.

The movement of your hips does feel like walking. Sitting on the simulator it is quite tempting to swing your shoulders as well, but not so much actually sat on a horse. Remember to allow your leg to swing side to side slightly with the horses barrel. Do not clamp them - it stiffens you and the horse.

It may be that you are trying too hard, thinking about each movement in sequence.Don't think too much about what your spine is doing, just let the movement happen as you move each seat bone. If that doesn't work try adjusting you weight on your seat bones to make sure you are in nutural pelvis. If you are still having problems it may be that your lower back is stiff and some stretching and loosening is needed. Reverse curls are good, or wiggle those hips when you are sure no-one is looking;)

You could practice off horse on a hard chair or better still on a peanut ball, which can offer a fairly good impersonation of a horse's back, plus it bounces a bit as well. By propping it up on a folded dog duvet we managed to raise one up high enough to sit as if we were in the saddle. Be careful that you don't put yourself in a position where you could fall off and hurt yourself though (sorry to sound like your mother, but safety first). When you think you have got the hang of the movement without having to worry about horse, you can add him back into the equation.

Good luck.

Just looked at your public profile - I see you like overseas travel - Devon is a pretty place with plenty to do and see for any non-riding members of your travelling party. Heather is really friendly and will recommend decent places to stay. PS I am NOT on commission.

[coss]

as Keket says - its more a left hip, right hip, left hip, right hip movement than up and forward, your hips should match the hips of the horse sort of. in general, the more supple a horse gets the smoother the trot becomes and there is a point where nearly all horses feel the same in trot - its very weird!
your legs shouldn't grip but should be in contact as said in other posts- i imagine it as a damp tea cloth draped over the back of a chair- the cloth will be in contact but it isn't a squeezing grip- it just sticks.
the art of sitting trot is to move with the horse and not alter the horse's pace for you to sit to. the horse should be balanced and working well but you shouldn't have to collect the horse up just to sit (think of when you get to medium and extended trot :))

[wanabe]

Thanks Hallmarked and coss! :)

You agree that moving the hips like I'm trying isn't a driving seat -- or if that is what it is called, then that's what Heather is recommending.
At age 58, I probably do have a stiff lower back. Heck, everything else is stiff -- wait I'm not going there -- so why shouldn't my lower back be?
I am thinking that maybe I AM thinking too much about trying the movements and I just need to do them without so much thought.

I WILL be in Great Britain for 3 weeks next summer, so Heather would be a possibility but I hope I'll have this down well before then!

[Keket]

I am thinking that maybe I AM thinking too much about trying the movements and I just need to do them without so much thought.

I WILL be in Great Britain for 3 weeks next summer, so Heather would be a possibility but I hope I'll have this down well before then!

An over-used mind can be the greatest hindrance in riding. I fought with my trot diagonals for years. Until I finally stopped thinking about it. Once I stopped thinking and just let my body do it, I got them every single time.

[horse_crazy]

Since I'm male, I think I'll pass on that one! :)

haha, sorry, I didn't realise you were male... you could still do it, just might be a bit od though thats all...