Sitting Trot .... HELP!

[Carolynn]

I have tried everything I have read and been told to be able to sit while trotting and I still slap the saddle. So far my best luck has been to post. I try to ride at least once a week but since I don't own my own horse yet it isn't easy. I volunteer at the YMCA stables and also ride at a neighbors house. I have never had regular lessons and don't really have the time or money right now. (we are saving for a farm so I can have my own horses) Is it just a matter of riding, riding and more riding and eventually it will click? I have gotten better at not holding the saddle horn and tried relaxing my lower back. Nothing seems to work. HELP!

[Outrider]

Try slowing your horse down. The speed of the trot will dictate if you can really sit it comfortably or have to post it. My horse has three speeds of trot. The first I can sit and it is a slow, easy pace, just up from a walk. The second is a little faster, but I am still able to sit it most of the time, though I find I post it too. The last is a hard, bone jarring trot that I have to post or don't ride it! If you can get your horse to slow down his pace, you might find the trot easier to sit. Happy Trails!

[Katie_85]

Stupid question number 167b. Hoe do you post on a western saddle? :confused:

[horselover]

Katie, don't swing your hips too far forward!:D Your rising is very small, and instead of swinging forward so much, it's more of an up and lightly forward. It actually is very easy, much easier than it sounds! The pommel is not as close as people think. A western saddle seat is much bigger than an english seat.

And as for sitting the trot, it takes time. If you close your eyes for a few strides, it helps you get the rythym. And above all, relax! As Outrider said, slow down the horse's trot. And let your legs hang long and low, sink your weight down into your heels. Let your back flex, don't hold it rigid. And be patient, you'll get it soon!

[Carolynn]

Outrider and Horselover, Thank-you for your suggestions. I will give them a try! I have been able to sort of sit in a slow trot. One of the horses I ride at a neighbors does a sort of jig as I call it. It is a really easy trot, just above a walk and I can sit in that, although I'm not sure if it is technically a trot. Usually he does it on the way back to the barn. I have to keep making him stop it and walk so he doesn't get in the habit of jigging back to the barn. It feels really cool tho. Horselover, thanks for telling Katie how to sit to trot western, obviously she hasn't tried it or ridden western before. I personally have never ridden on an english saddle.:)

[Outrider]

There are no stupid questions, Katy, stupid answers maybe, but not questions! :) Horselover has the right of it in describing posting in a western saddle. I find it really comfortable and even works well for the really hard trot too. If anyone is having troubles getting an email to me, I am learning that a lot of folks have sent me an email at my horizon address and keep getting it returned. Try sending your emails to mansontj@hotmail.com if you are having troubles. Happy Trails!

[Ponymom]

As a western rider, we have to push our horses to trot a little faster or slower over trail obstacles at shows. You want to sit deep in the sadddle -sit back and enjoy the ride - on your back pockets. Keep your head up and your back straight and your heels down. Squeezing with the legs but checking with the reins will speed your horse up. Frequent stops (half halts, too) will slow him down. If the horse figures he is going to stop pretty soon, then he won't trot so fast. But one thing to address is that all horses don't trot slowly. It depends on their build and way of going. Most thoroughbreds have a more extended trot than the shorter strided quarter horses. So it may not be all your fault if you can't sit the trot (actually called a jog in western circles). Good luck.

[Katie_85]

Ah, got it thanks for explaining. I was having thoughts of being rushed to the hospital for a saddle horn removal!:eek: :D

[Ponymom]

Katie_85 - no matter how careful you are, accidents can happen. My friend was taking a lesson on her reining horse and she pulled to hard for a sliding stop. The horse flipped over on her and jammed the saddle horn into her pubic bone. It ripped her jeans from front to back. She was luck to end up with a really big bruise from that saddle horse. She could have broken her pelvis. You just have to be careful and then hope for the best. But accidents do happen even to the experienced riders. I was trying to ride my reiner in a flag race. We were doing great until he decided to buck and then stepped on my leg after I fell under him. I had a perfect horse shoe shaped buise on the side of my shin. I missed a week of work and after 6 weeks still have some internal bleeding. But I just get back on. It is an all too true part of riding.(Keep your medical insurance premiums paid up!).

[Peace]

Hi, Carolynn:

The best way I found to sit a trot is to roll the top of your hipbones forward as the horse's feet hit the ground, then roll them quickly backwards. Try to only move your hips, flexing your lower back. I would think "Forward with the shock (and back)" over and over to myself while trotting. It is easier if you can get the horse to do a slow jog, especially at first. Hope this helps!

[Katie_85]

Yes, I had tried it before Carolynn, I have just "converted" from saddleseat to western. Jog isn't bad at all to sit to, trot is a whole different story!:)