Tips needed for kicking in trot..

[Purple Hugs]

I'm finding it really difficult to kick my RS horse on when in trot, she slows, I can feel it, I try to kick.. honest... but am not making real contact with the horse.. She jolts to a stop almost and I am looking daft being flung forward... also a problem :rolleyes:.

I was better today than last week, and am riding again on Thursday but really need to nip this in the bud. :o

I'm worried, as feel like i'm losing my stirup or seat and basically feel like i'm going to fall when i try and kick her to carry on.

We tried my carrying a dressage whip today, to 'tickle' her to carry on, until this accidentally put her into canter.. my first canter ever!! :eek: ;) Got her back down to trot after I realised what was going on!! :D And managed to stay on... despite bouncing up and down! :o

Sounds like an awful lesson when you look at it this way, but I did enjoy it! :cool:

Any tips would be gratefully received.

[vimto92]

I'm glad you still enjoyed.:D
Basically, it comes with practice...I found it difficult too. When you get into trot sit a few beats kick then rise and carry on. It will come, honest!:)
Canter is fun!;) When the horse doesn't do it on purpose to scare you...:rolleyes: *ahem* Milly! Tehe another story totally.
Don't worry too much but it does come honest!:)

[Purple Hugs]

Thanks Vic, :) I guess I just need to keep practising, I'm better than 2 weeks ago, in that I do attempt it now!! Before I was soooo scared if I kicked I'd fall off. I think it's more difficult becuase i'm going up and donw and if I kick back like when going into walk / trot then my stirup slips back on my boot and I feel like i'm falling. I know the heels down bit, but that's what happens.

So now I'm trying to kick kind of inwards on her side under where my foot would rest naturally. but i'm not actually hitting her hard, if at all. :rolleyes:

I'm riding a different horse on thursday so it'll be interesting to see what happens then too. :p

Milly sounds a cheeky girl, if she's cantering to scare you! :eek: :D

How are you getting on these days?

[vimto92]

I'm getting on fine thanks, aww thank you so much for asking!:D How are you?

All about Milly is on a post in this forum called ".:Lesson Update:. (with pictures)".;) She scared me so I did a swap with someone. She is NOT a novice ride....:eek: Well...*unconfident* novice ride!:p

Yes just comes with practice, like you said you have improved since two weeks ago so bingo.

I think I am alright kicking in trot now...its just I drop my shoulders forwards and urgh..:o Tehe.

Have fun next lesson.:)

[Sarah-B]

Not meaning to be "funny", but you shouldn't really be "kicking" at all - the leg aids should be more of a *squeeze* from the inner calf. When you sit just squeeze gently to keep your RS horse moving along nicely.

My instructor has been teaching my friend and I how to ride without using our legs at all, just from rein aids (perhaps like western riders?) as he thinks it's a much kinder way to ride and makes your horse more responsive.

He views leg aids as another form of force used to get horses to do as we want.

[raingodz]

Well done on the first canter, the accidental ones are always the best as there is no time to worry about what might happen :)

As for keeping the trot going, I tend to squeeze rather than kick while I am at the sitting point on most of the horses I ride, one of these (Daisy) works best when I kind of wrap my legs round her as I sit, was a bit odd to start with, but I am fine with it now.

[Purple Hugs]

Thanks Sarah - I do the squeeze on sitting, but Kappa's a bit stubborn as she comes out of a corner she always wants to stop! :eek: And will unless kicked or tapped with a whip to carry on. :rolleyes:

perhaps Bertie will be better on thursday - RI said Kappa can be a bit hard to get into canter (ok didn't have a problem the once she did it... by accident) but perhaps she's a little less responsive.

I rode a different horse recently who was a dream for doing as she was asked first time around. :D

[JaffaAndMe]

I'm the one having lessons with Sarah-B and can confirm that we have been riding without using legs aids at all.

We are doing this at the moment to help us get over the dependency that riders have with their legs. By this I mean the constant nagging that we do with our legs. How many times have you seen someone ride along constantly bumping, nudging or kicking their horse?? This desentizes the horse to these aids and they become worthless. You only need to use your legs when you ask your horse to do something - like change gait, do a particular movement. But as soon as your horse offers this behaviour you should stop moving your leg as a form of reward to the horse.

[raingodz]

Thanks Sarah - I do the squeeze on sitting, but Kappa's a bit stubborn as she comes out of a corner she always wants to stop! :eek: And will unless kicked or tapped with a whip to carry on. :rolleyes:

Are you working on the correct diagonal? I know that with Daisy if you turn on the wrong diaganal then she will drop back to a walk, but if she is on the correct one she keeps trotting - this helped me see the merrit of being on the correct diaganal quite quickly :rolleyes:

[Wobblydeb]

I used to be just the same! :D I think everyone feels that wobbly at first, so don't worry too much :D

I was never taught properly and had developed a kick-when-rising that even after 20 yrs of riding made me feel wobbly in trot :o

It wasn't until my instructor finally got me balanced in rising trot (on a horse that didn't need pushing!) that I was able to switch to squeezing when sitting. To be balanced in trot your lower legs don't actually move, and your weight is balanced evenly above them - you can stand in your stirrups as you trot without falling backwards or forwards.

Once (!!!) I got the hang of that, then we moved to squeezing when sitting. My visual cue is a puppet on a string - you pull the strings and the arms and legs go up and to the sides. Then you release and they flop back down. :) It is an extreme representation of what you need to do - but as a novice, that's what I needed!

Honestly, it will come with time. Talk to your instructor and see what they say :)

[Wobblydeb]

Thanks Sarah - I do the squeeze on sitting, but Kappa's a bit stubborn as she comes out of a corner she always wants to stop! :eek: And will unless kicked or tapped with a whip to carry on. :rolleyes:

I rode a different horse recently who was a dream for doing as she was asked first time around. :D Just read your update after posting. Okay, you've got the squeezing when sitting :)

Perhaps JaffaandMe's experience can be used to some effect? :) There is an experienced pony at one of my schools who will happily ignore beginner's leg aids, and do as little as possible. However it doesn't take long to get her going well, as long as I only squeeze when she starts to drop out of a pace (and it does take a good hard squeeze!). But you have to be ready to catch her as she even THINKS about slowing down, otherwise you have walk before you know it ;)

[Purple Hugs]

Thanks all, there are some great tips! :D
I particularly like the puppet on a string! ;) I use the 'string on top of my head being pulled up' to sit straight!! it really helps! :)

I'll have a re-think on my diagonals, as haven't worked on these in the new RS I assume they do them later. My old RS explained it all, and I tend to correct myself if it doesn't feel right, but will make sure it's right.

[cloang]

Congratulations on your first canter:D :D

[purrrfect]

each time u sit as u do rising trot take it as an opportunity to squeeze ** horse on. its much easier this way than booting the horse while u're rising.. if that makes any sense at all lol

[Purple Hugs]

Congratulations on your first canter:D :D
lol Thanks! :D

I'm laughing.. as it was only short. and soooo unplanned! Don't think i'll be as worried now though so that's a bonus! :p

[Purple Hugs]

each time u sit as u do rising trot take it as an opportunity to squeeze ** horse on. its much easier this way than booting the horse while u're rising.. if that makes any sense at all lol
It does :D , and that's what i'm doing, just the horse ignores it once she's leaving the corner of the menage. :rolleyes:

Hoping it's better with other horse on Thursday. ;)

[Nimrod]

I have terrible trouble with squeezing to keep the slow horse I ride going in trot, I can't get my legs organised and if I manage it it throws me fwd and then unblalanced and then I am on the wrong diagonal etc etc. (my RI should have a T shirt that says "Back and On" which is the constant mantra of my lessons). Today and last week we did an exercise of stnding in the strrups which sounds easy but with hips forward, bum tucked under and heels down with the weight in the heel and NOT on the balls of your feet but without allowing the lower leg to go forward then lowering into the saddle gently by bending knees. After that we did rising trot 4 strides the stand in stirrups for 2 strides (supposed to,I couldn't do it for that long). This does seem very good for getting the leg aid on in trot and i did improve. will keep doing it each week. I am a big bird though with flabby thigh muscles.

[NoviceNic]

It may be more difficult if you are riding the school's old faithful. You can either kick when you rise or fall. Why dont you try going on the lunge so your RI is is charge of the horse and all you have to think about it your legs. Try also not to kick but to squeeze. Difficult again if you are riding a plod.. But you will find that when you get onto a more forward going horse that your kicks will probably mean you end up at the bottom of the field quicker than you expected...:eek: Try not to push your rise and ust go with the horsesback motion. Trot is all in the hips. You dont actually rise straight up you push your hips forward. If you know what I mean. Difficult for me to explain as I am not an expert..

[Crazy Mare]

Honestly it will get better, just takes practice :)

My advice would be to relax and do what feels right for you.

If I need to squeeze on It feels more natural to me to do so while rising. I know that for most people this isn't the case and generally people do so while dropping back to the saddle but I guess we're all different :o

My RI has never corrected me for doing it this way so I assume that there is no right and wrong way but please feel free to correct me if this isn't the case.

I do always squeeze rather than kick though. Most importantly it is kinder to the horse but I think you will find it easier too. After all, it's harder to keep your balance if you are moving your legs away from your horses flank.

Hope this helps. Congratulations on your first canter, by the way :D :D :D

CM xx

[eucalyptus]

To be balanced in trot your lower legs don't actually move, and your weight is balanced evenly above them - you can stand in your stirrups as you trot without falling backwards or forwards.


Agree! I used to think kick kick kick all the time, but I got a new instructor and these couple of weeks we've been working on keeping my lower legs still, and then gently squeezing when I feel the horse is slowing down. And so far it's working!

As far the horse coming to a stop at corners, maybe you could give the horse a quick tap before you get to the corners? I used to have this problem and my RI told me that I had allowed the horse to get into the habit of stopping at corners, so in order to break it I had to be quicker than the horse and give him a quick tap to get him going.

[stormchaser]

First, congrats on your first canter... almost all of them have to be accidental! :) You might want to try cantering intentionally--speak with your instructor.

When you need an active trot, you squeeze--not kick--when you sit down (it's possible to do that while rising, but I often end up squeezing with my knees instead, not a good idea for me). Not too hard a squeeze that it messes up your legs, just nudge, nudge, nudge and back up with a voice aid if needed. Don't forget to rise faster too!

It seems like a handfull, well, it is... practise usually makes perfect. If you horse is especially lazy, you might need to back up your leg with a whip--after all he is probably ignoring your nudge. Start with a small squeeze, then a sharper nudge, if ignored, squeeze again and tap with the whip.

I was on a cheeky RS horse (well aren't they all) once who bullies beginners and refuses to move. Lunge lessons were practically useless with him because he already associated lunge=beginner=won't move! So give the horse the least opportunities to slow down, be it avoiding sharp corners or getting off the lunge! ;)

[stormandsummer]

How was your lesson and have you cantered since then ???

Many moons ago when i couldn't get the hang on sqeezing to keep the trot going, i used to practice at work in my chair, had the girls in the office in stiches, but it helped me to maintain a rhythum then when i next went riding it all fell into place :D rise up in your chair slightly and as you come down squeeze your calves slightly. Practice makes perfect

I am sure it will become second nature soon :D

[BackintheSaddle]

Remember to look forward when you ask for more trot. If you look down at your leg (a common habit) you'll get all out of whack and feel very insecure in your seat. Look where you want to go, squeeze, cluck, and tap with the whip if you get no response (all of this done pretty quickly). It is often VERY difficult on RS ponies as they have learnt all sorts of habits and do their very best to get out of work - the cheeky monsters! Good luck

[devil]

first of all u never kick a horse u always squeese with the legs and if you are having lessons withe james and vickey u should no that any way
which horse was it thet u were riding was it willow ?????:(pls reply

[devil]

Thanks all, there are some great tips! :D
I particularly like the puppet on a string! ;) I use the 'string on top of my head being pulled up' to sit straight!! it really helps! :)

I'll have a re-think on my diagonals, as haven't worked on these in the new RS I assume they do them later. My old RS explained it all, and I tend to correct myself if it doesn't feel right, but will make sure it's right.


no trust me i had been riding with them 4 6 months and they dident teach me jack ****

[sidesaddlelady1]

I'm finding it really difficult to kick my RS horse on when in trot, she slows, I can feel it, I try to kick.. honest... but am not making real contact with the horse.. She jolts to a stop almost and I am looking daft being flung forward... also a problem :rolleyes:.

I was better today than last week, and am riding again on Thursday but really need to nip this in the bud. :o

I'm worried, as feel like i'm losing my stirup or seat and basically feel like i'm going to fall when i try and kick her to carry on.

We tried my carrying a dressage whip today, to 'tickle' her to carry on, until this accidentally put her into canter.. my first canter ever!! :eek: ;) Got her back down to trot after I realised what was going on!! :D And managed to stay on... despite bouncing up and down! :o

Sounds like an awful lesson when you look at it this way, but I did enjoy it! :cool:

Any tips would be gratefully received.
Have you tried squeezing with your lower legs as you sit while posting ie rise, sit and squeeze, rise, sit and squeeze. It seems to keep the momentum going and you don't have to take your legs off the horse's side while you're doing it so you are more secure. Really once you feel the trot fading it's too late - get in first. Actually kicking should be a last resort. Be patient with the horse until she gets used to it as, if she's a school horse, she may be so used to having a tattoo beaten on her sides that she may miss the lighter signals the first time but she'll soon cotton on. The thing to remember when riding is that horses, in the main, want to co-operate with their riders so you need to encourage that rather than seeing it as a battle.

[fatflamingo]

I'm finding it really difficult to kick my RS horse on when in trot, she slows, I can feel it, I try to kick.. honest... but am not making real contact with the horse.. She jolts to a stop almost and I am looking daft being flung forward... also a problem :rolleyes:.

I was better today than last week, and am riding again on Thursday but really need to nip this in the bud. :o

I'm worried, as feel like i'm losing my stirup or seat and basically feel like i'm going to fall when i try and kick her to carry on.

We tried my carrying a dressage whip today, to 'tickle' her to carry on, until this accidentally put her into canter.. my first canter ever!! :eek: ;) Got her back down to trot after I realised what was going on!! :D And managed to stay on... despite bouncing up and down! :o

Sounds like an awful lesson when you look at it this way, but I did enjoy it! :cool:

Any tips would be gratefully received.
I had the same problem i posted ti but noone replied!:(

[jools]

Congrats on your first canter :D

Hope you enjoyed!!

[Purple Hugs]

Thanks everyone.
Flamingo - very unlike this board.. don't take it personally must've just been 'missed'. :confused:

I've had a few weeks (ok about FOUR) weeks away from riding - due to circumstances out of my control.. including the holidays!
Am back riding tomorrow but am trying lessons at the yard I help on. Thought the break might be a good thing.
Still not cantered properly.. but will get there no doubt. :) Not in a rush. ;)
Got the hang of the squeezing and got really good at keeping Kappa in trot, so that's good. Trotting over poles etc and keeping her where I wanted her whilst in trot too. So all in all I definately improved from your advice! :D
Thanks again!

[domane]

O/T but WELCOME BACK PurpleHugs!!! I wondered where you had gone!!! :)

[Mossy]

I'm finding it really difficult to kick my RS horse on when in trot, she slows, I can feel it, I try to kick.. honest... but am not making real contact with the horse.. She jolts to a stop almost and I am looking daft being flung forward... also a problem :rolleyes:.

I was better today than last week, and am riding again on Thursday but really need to nip this in the bud. :o

I'm worried, as feel like i'm losing my stirup or seat and basically feel like i'm going to fall when i try and kick her to carry on.

We tried my carrying a dressage whip today, to 'tickle' her to carry on, until this accidentally put her into canter.. my first canter ever!! :eek: ;) Got her back down to trot after I realised what was going on!! :D And managed to stay on... despite bouncing up and down! :o

Sounds like an awful lesson when you look at it this way, but I did enjoy it! :cool:

Any tips would be gratefully received.
Sorry to say this but why kick????. You should NOT be kicking every stride in trot. You ask with your legs to change pace and then give a gentle squeeze if the pace alters. If you were asked to, for instance, mow the lawn and whilst you were contentedly mowing every few yards somebody said "Mow the lawn!!!!" you would very quickly be very fed up and tell somebody where to put the lawnmower. By kicking when you have got what you want you are nagging about the lawn mowing. Also if you ask quietly with your legs you do not need to flap so you can say in balance better.
I was about to say that I could not remember the last time I kicked Con. It was yesterday when she napped sideways nearly squashing OH's sore ankle! A polite but firm "Do not do that" push was ignored so I booted the offending side. She straightened up as though shot! [Mind you that is another reason for not *shouting*. If you shout routinely what have you got in reserve when you need it?] I cannot remember the last time I kicked her to change pace, if ever.
Sorry to get on my soapbox but "kick and pull" teaching makes me so flaming mad!!!!!!!!

[Berry]

With regards to this 'no kicking' thing, has no-one ever ridden a very slow, lazy RS horse? I rode the same one for about 9 months and nothing worked - no response to any type of squeezes, I tried different rein contacts, trying to drive with my seat, clicking, other odd noises, praising him when he actually moved, everything I could think of...the only thing that worked was a firm rein contact, a kick to show you meant business and a whack with the crop. Otherwise he would just try it on with you because he had loads of beginners on him that just flapped their legs around.
I am now riding a well-schooled horse and now only have to give the gentlest of squeezes, any thing more and I'd be on the floor (and it's a lot easier on my legs and my balance!). I didn't want to kick/use my crop on this RS horse but in the end it was the only way he would listen to you - unfortunately not all horses respond to a squeeze.

Don't get me wrong, I would like to use as light an aid as I can, but it just doesn't happen with this horse. He went a lot better once you got him going and interested and I could change to giving firm nudges and squeezes but unfortunately in a RS lesson he spent a lot of time dozing at the back of the line... sometimes it's very hard in group lessons because you have to wait for other people to take their turns, especially if you're in a small indoor school.

I got told you ask with the leg aids 3 times firmly, and if they don't respond then a tap with the crop.
At least the horse of the OP responds to the dressage whip so I'd be more inclined to use that rather than boot its sides and that would help with the balance issues.


I agree with the 'pull' issue though, in my RS all you hear is 'pull their head round!!'when what I really want is to learn to ride with my seat and legs.

[Mossy]

Berry
My instinct is to sugest you change riding schools but if only life were that easy! So many folks teach "boot and pull" even freelance instructors who teach folks to switch their own horses off!!! I ask you.!!!!!!! My only suggestion is try a hock flick with a dressage whip on your slab sided poor soul. if he has been used to kick and flap he probably will not be used to that level of subtlety. Just leave your legs gently by his sides, squeeze once and then flick. It might just work. Good luck

[Berry]

I'm not sure they possess anything as sophisticated as a dressage whip at my RS (few old mangy crops lying around the school and that's about it) but I will try and get one off somebody. We did some jumping outside today and once I got him cantering he was really quite keen. I think a lot of RS horses just get so bored and sour if they're not able to do different things - he doesn't even go outside to the field very often (ever?), must be bored rigid.

[Jeni_92]

im in same position when i kick in trot on my RS horse i loose my stirrip and my horse slows down also i can't keep my heels down while in rising trot:confused: any tips ther?

[vimto92]

im in same position when i kick in trot on my RS horse i loose my stirrip and my horse slows down also i can't keep my heels down while in rising trot:confused: any tips ther?

Frst of all consider your stirrup length..... the stirrups should be around your ankle bone when you let your leg hang loose.;)

Also.... when you are rising do you solely depend on the stirrups? It should be a push up from the horse and then a controlled touch of the saddle as you lower back down.

[Jeni_92]

Frst of all consider your stirrup length..... the stirrups should be around your ankle bone when you let your leg hang loose.;)

Also.... when you are rising do you solely depend on the stirrups? It should be a push up from the horse and then a controlled touch of the saddle as you lower back down.
Hi thanks for the advice i will bear it in mind in my next riding lesson

[xhex]

Oh, try this! When I had this trouble, my instructor told me I needed to 'open' my hips slightly (so as to turn my legs out and heels in), which brings your legs around the barrel of the horse more, your calves having contact with the horse and you get a better position with grip and balance. Once done this, you may feel a lot more comfortable and 'happy' in your position and confidence...the motion should make the squeeze at sit almost natural. Just don't forget to keep the heels down. Once I had this down, you should've seen the grin on my face! :D