siting Trot

[TeeBrown]

I have just been for another riding lesson and over here in Germany they always ride in siting trot, well since my accident where i broke my back 6 years ago i just can't seem to find the rhythm. My whole body seems to go up and down the more I try and keep my hands still the more they are jumping up and down and it's believe me it's not doing any good for the saddle sore!!! Has anyone any basic tips that I have forgotten over the years that I can put in to practice???

[jinglejoys]

Haven't had a lesson for years but the sitting trot came back to me eventually,my problem is the opposit--I'm trying to master the jog and keep posting!!

[Maria]

See Heather Moffett's excellent article on sitting trot on the Kinder Way section of the New Rider website. Hopefully this will provide a useful memory jogger for what you should be feeling and how to absorb the movement.

A Kinder Way - Sitting Trot (http://www.newrider.com/Kinder_Way/The_Paces/sitting_trot.html)

[jinglejoys]

Twitt that I am!!!! :0) I read Rising trott!!!! Just ignore me :0)

[galadriel]

Did your back heal properly when it was broken? If you have limited flexibility in your spine, it may be very difficult for you to get back into.

You might want to discuss with your lesson stable, or call around to see if anyone can help you to find: a lesson horse with a slow, easy, low-motion trot that you can ride. If some instructor can put you on a horse like that for a few lessons on sittng trot, it may help you get back into the rhythm.

I know how much it stinks to be uncertain of your back, and to not be able to do things as naturally as you did before. Sometimes getting on a horse who really makes it easy can help you find the right motion again.

[HairyCob]

I have a hip flexion deformity, so sitting trot is difficult for me too- and not very elegant!

I have found the most important thing is to try to relax the lower back, as then I seem to be able to swing along with it- if I am worried about achieving sitting trot it is my lower back that tenses up first according to my instructor.

As to how to relax your lower back- difficult one! I tend to imagine that I have had several pints of alcohol, but that it is only affecting me between my rib cage and my hips!:D ;)

[TeeBrown]

My back didn't really heal properly and it still gives me alot of pain worse when the cold weather comes in. But I have my own horse and he is great so I have to learn to sit to him really (as he still needs excercising as well), I am going to try out the information on the help page and see how I go, and also the advice about alcohol!!!!!!!!!!!!! I think the biggest problem is me tensing up and trying too hard. Thanks to everyone for the advise.

[shirley]

Why do you not get some exercises from a physiotherapist, or look at Alexander Technique. This will give you some thoughts on how to compensate for the injury you received, whilst teaching your muscles to relax again and how to absorb the impact etc. If you can get relaxed sitting on a chair and understand why your muscles etc react as they do and how to remedy this, you can then translate this onto the horse you are riding. Good luck