Posting

[In the Irons]

I've just begun lessons, and posting is proving difficult. I have a simple and stupid question. I'm black and blue all through my seat. I'm supposed to be up again tomorrow. Could I do any serious damage? I'm sitting on a pillow now, and going from sitting to standing is a little painful. I know the pain is normal, but to be black and blue?

[virtuallyhorses]

Well no the odd bruise from time to time is fairly normal but it sounds like you are landing quite heavily as you sit and\or hitting the pommel when you rise - neither of these is pleasant nor desirable. It may be that your legs are not underneath you - most likely they are too far forward in what is known as the chair seat. Ask your instructor to check your leg position and learn how to do this yourself (http://worldzone.net/recreation/virtuallyhorses/seat.html#Finding%20the%20correct%20ear-hip-heel%20alignment.) so that you can self-check all the time until it is automatic.

When rising - try not to do too much, let the horse push you out of the saddle and rotate around your knees before gently allowing yourself to return to the saddle.

[Equisgurl]

maybe youre sitting down too hard? When posting you have to use the strengh of your leg muscles to bring yourself up and sit yourself down very lightly, especially if the horse is moving faster you are barely touching the seat, just quick up and down. Remember not to tense up and grip with your knees just relax and remember to use those calf muscles, but its understandable if you just started you need a lot of practice to build them up.
Best of luck~

[galadriel]

Often an instructor won't go into the reasons for posting, why it's done and what the goal of posting is. However, it'll often help to know--I have an article on the reasons for posting and a little more detail about how to post. You might find it interesting:
http://lorienstable.com/articles/riding/400-trotting/

[Alle]

This may be a simplistic suggestion, but is the saddle you are using too small for you? If it is, you can be banging into the front part with every post.

[In the Irons]

I went a little easier today, not so sore, thank you! Pushing my heels WAY down helped, keeping my legs back, etc. I'm not sure about the saddle, nut I'll ask. I've only been on a horse about three times, but I've read alot of books. However, none of them talk about bruised inner thighs! Anyway, thanks for the help.

Oh, and the article on "sitting deep" was helpful - thanks!

[Wally]

Sounds like you have a horrendous saddle, There are 100's of badly designed, very expensive saddles out there.

[virtuallyhorses]

I used to get bruised inner thighs when working without stirrups but only because of the banging up agains the stirrups and leathers as they were crossed over. You will certainly get sore there - because it's not many people who are supple in the those muscles and riding certainly stretches them!:eek:

If its this area you are getting bruised - certainly take a look at the saddle and maybe even the pants you are wearing - do they have big seams? or do they get scrunched up under you?