improving my trot

[lozhorseluva]

how do i know when to rise and when to fall?

How do i improve my sitting trot when i just bounce and leaning back makes me fall as if i'm about to fall off her?

[Purple Hugs]

there is a few threads on the go on here... have a dig around and you'll find some great tips :D

[RiderGirl]

That's the hard part, I know. That is why you must learn about correct diagonals. Ask your instructor about it. When you posting on the wrong diagonal, it'll feel uncomfortable, so you know you have to sit one beat. It is very confusing at first!

[LMS]

Hi lozhorseluva,
Are you currently taking riding lessons?
If you have time, Purple Hugs is correct, there are many threads regarding your concerns.

But here are a few, in a nutshell: "Rise & fall to the leg on the wall" meaning when your horse's front leg, near the wall, goes up so do you.

The reason for this is because when the horse's inside hind leg & outside front leg are in their supporting phase, the horse is able to support our weight easier, therefore the horse will tire less.

When I introduce the post to my riders, we first begin by finding the rhythm when the horse is at the walk we then practice posting at the halt first (I apply hands on), then we progress to the walk, which in itself is very challenging because it's not a two beat gait!

When comes the time to post at the trot, I wrap the horses diagonal pairs with different polos. Ex: front left & back right with yellow polos and the other diagonal pair with red polos. (word association: lemon yellow=left, red=right)

Then as one rider trots her horse in front of the others, the riders (standing n center line facing the long wall) call out the diagonals along in time to the rhythm. Ex: Left - Right... or, One - two...

When you want to "see" which diagonal you're on, of course you can't look down to see the polos! So instead, I stick a yellow tape, happy face sticker or even a Christmas poofy bow (depends on who my rider is) on the horse's left shoulder and of course a red one on the horse's right shoulder.

This way all you have to do is glance down (eyes only and for a brief moment) recognize which coloured sticker is farther ahead which will indicate which leg is up.

At first, you may incline your body forward from the hip slightly as you go up & down. Dressage riders keep upright and move their hips toward the front as they go up. This is something that will be determined with your instructor.

Remember that the post should be continual & fluid that means: not forced or exagerated. In time it will look and feel effortless. Let the horse's movement thrust you forward & upward.

As far as sitting trot goes, yes at first you will feel like your falling behind. Your instructor will let you know about your position. That being said: your upper body should remain on the vertical not behind it.

Remember to relax you abdominal muscles in order to keep your hips supple. The trot should be slow at first and it's a good idea to hold on to the pommel with your outside hand.

Because it is taxing on the horse's back, this should be done in short segments. Ex: 1/2 a long side, then lengthen the amount of trot as you progress.

W/T/W transitions promote balance. Your legs should not grip the horse as it is balance that keeps you in the saddle.

Remember to breathe! Sing a little song in the rhythm of the trot, it's fun and a great way to promote oxygen intake and therefore relaxing.

Have fun! It'll come with time & practice. :)
LMS

[Cherokee]

OMG , LMS , you sound like such a good instructor. :D
I would love to be taught in that way , but there is a slight problem of the ocean inbetween us. ;)

[Purple Hugs]

You're spot on there!

Still dont' undertstand what i read about sitting trot though.. it'll likely make sense when I start to do it. :p

[hanbrad]

sitting trot is easier then risin
well i think it is
all you have 2 do is keep ** legs rapped round the horses belly and squease if the horse doesnt move then give it a gentle tap on the bum with ** wipe. Also say trot on

[Purple Hugs]

what do you mean, just give the commands and then sit it out? like cling on with your legs?

[SupaTania]

Purple hugs, Sitting trot is usually what you did most of the time when you were trying to learn to post!

ask the horse to trot on, then rather then rising with it, relax your body so that your butt is gently touching the saddle. You should feel it in your stomach. Also, you must control this so that your head and hands do not wobble around either (BOBBING HEAD SYNDROME :rolleyes: )

Sitting trot is tough, and i still can't hold it for longer then a few strides after 1 year of riding!

[LMS]

Thanks for the compliment :o . Yeah, that darn ocean, so when again is the bridge getting built? :D

Ahh the infamous sitting trot... when you have a smooth horse you can sit it forever! Having begun my horse riding years in a western saddle, one had no real choice but to sit the trot (fellow riders looked at you strangely when you did post. But that's when I learned to post, my pony was way too bouncy!)

Depending on how responsive/sensitive & active (vs lazy) your horse is: the legs drape around the horse evenly. If you grip too much there is a good chance that you will bounce around because your weight is no longer in your seat.

In a way it is easier to ride the lazy horse at a trot because you are holding him with the lower calf more ( not something you want to be doing forever but it's a natural reflex) therefore you've made yourself more secure that way. (Yes, by all means use your voice, it is a natural aid!) But what will happen when the horse finally get's it right and you have to let go of that constant leg pressure? Hmmmm...
Gravity, balance, independant body parts (meaning: upper body, arms, seat, legs), a relaxed pelvic area and remember to breathe!

Learning this on the lunge is far more beneficial also as many have mentioned in various posts.

I could write an essay on how to sit the trot and which excercises can help you but that would be information overload, you'd end up looking like Bambi in the headlights and start babbling & laughing erratically. So I'll close my lecture here for today. :p

TTYL,
LMS

[Purple Hugs]

hmmm... think i'll 'go with the flow' on the sitting trot.. and wait till i have to master it! hehe Also hope i'm on a smoother horse than I am at the moment! ;)

Thanks for the tips though, it'll likely sit in my brain till I need it!