10th Lesson

[Mivs]

Morning all!! Just wanted to say two things. First of all that...Yippee!!!! I have a lazy horse (since I am a beginner) and following Heather's advice of using a whip to slightly tickle horse behind the leg, it got him moving!! He was really stepping through and I could feel his movement. At first, I had to do it quite often but by end of the lesson, it was every 5 strides!! I also did rising trot which was brill following Heather's advice again. My tutor just thought I was good!! hee hee!! Doesn't know real reason!!!

Second thing which is bugging me big time is I still can't master the sitting trot. The horse I ride is very bouncy and I can't seem to flex my back in and out fast enough or deep enough since I bounce up and down. Another problem is my legs stiffen and push against stirrups (or floor when practising) which I am sure doesn't help!!! At home, I can practise the sitting trot correctly at a slow pace but can't do it at a pace as fast as my horse. Any tips or ideas? ....I will keep trying till I get it!!

[Palomino]

Getting a lesson on the lunge will help a lot. You will proberbly be asked to do exercises in the saddle, and for part of the lesson you will proberbly be asked to ride with out stirrups to develop a deeper seat (this isn't as daunting as it sounds).
You also have the advantage of someone else controlling the direction and speed of the horse for you.
I had one a few years ago and it helped a lot.
In lessons ride with longish stirrups, sit up tall and try not to grip with your legs.
Also remember to relax and enjoy your self and think positivly :).
Hope this is of some help.
Palomino :).

[Kristy]

I am at the stage too of getting sitting trot. I know HOW to do it but not having a horse makes it hard to practice! :)
Instead of trying to SIT down into the horses back keep weight throughout your legs into your stirrups and sit lightly. MUCH easier and nicer on the horses back too. If your trying to sit down and get a "deeper" seat then the horses back will hollow away from you and you'll find it even harder.
Hope this helps a little
Kristy

[Alli]

Put both reins in one hand and grab on to the front of the saddle with the other. Use your arm to push yourself down into the saddle.
This REALLY helped me to get the feel of the proper position, and soon you won't need to grab the saddle!
Hope that helps, a little!!
:D
-Alli

[Mar]

You have alot of good suggestions in this thread. Here's another one -- be patient! The sitting trot is a bane to even the best of riders -- they will periodically get lunge lessons to work on the sitting trot. You can work for YEARS and still be unhappy with your sitting trot.

This is not to depress you! Just to let you realize that just because you haven't "mastered" the sitting trot after the 10th lesson doesn't mean you're an incompetent rider, slow learner, etc. Patience is a virtue you will need TONS of when it comes to horses, might as well get used to it now! ha ha

There's a saying in the horse world -- "Enjoy the journey." Because let's face it, there are no perfect riders, and you better be ready for lots of frustration along the way! If you don't enjoy the learning process, then horses aren't for you!

You obviously are hooked on riding, and your enthusiasm is wonderful to see. Good luck to you!

[Kristy]

Alli,
I'd have to disagree there. Sitting trot isn't actually sitting. When riding you should be more standing, than sitting. Think about it. would you rather have someone sitting forcing their backside into your back or them taking most of their weight by themselves?? So forcing yourself down isn't gonna help...

JMHO
Kristy

[Mivs]

Thank you all for the suggestions!! About the holding reins in one hand and holding onto saddle (pulling it up as u trot). When I do this, I do not bounce. My instructor said that it was because, I was pulling myself down into the saddle. I bounce about when not holding onto saddle.

I shall patiently continue practising and using the techniques you have selected and will definetly inform you when I have got it!!

P.S. It is great to have some brains to pick especially as no one I know rides and they wonder why I do!! *smile* Who cares though? It's fun and they don't know what they are missing!!!

[tnawarriorprincess]

I am a new/return rider & I have really got the "feel" for the sitting trot by asking for a really really slow trot & once I feel comfortable at that I ask my horse to speed up a little. I have difficulty obtaining this with every lesson but am slowly working myself up. Good Luck & I am so happy for this website, such great info & different ideas!!