HELP HEATHER (Absorbing the Movement)

[kas]

I am having terrible trouble with Trot and Transitions on my own horse, who has a very springy trot, although a lovely comfortable canter.
I do not seem to have trouble on other horses I ride and have a very good instructor, but just cannot seem to synch with my horse.
I seem incapable of doing sitting trot on him, and my transitions from trot to canter and back down again are terrible
I would dearly love to get grips with this as I am starting to loose confidence in my ability to ride my own horse.

Heather: Do you have dates for the training sessions you do in Devon

[Rachel R]

Hi Kas,

I don't want you to think that no-one is answering your post, so I'm going to add a short note here. Firstly, please, please don't lose confidence or enthusiasm. I was lucky enough to have a go on Heather's equisimulator at the Equine Event yesterday. (Unfortunately Mike was also there with his camera, so I could soon be famous!) I have read her book and thought I understood, but seeing and feeling it has really made it click.
Perhaps practicing the movement on a less bouncy horse will help. I would also try to lunge your horse and really get a feel for his strides and rhythm. The more you understand his movement, the easier it should be. I won't say any more, but as Heather has been in Warwickshire over the weekend, I'm sure that she will answer your post soon.
Good luck and please don't feel discouraged.

[This message has been edited by Rachel R (edited 08 November 1999).]

[CLAUDIA]

A new horse arrived at our barn recently that also has a very springy trot, but a great canter. When I got on him it blew my mind, and my instructor said something along the lines of, "Imagine how impossible it would've been to learn posting on a horse with a trot like that!" I can definitely see where you're coming from on this one. :)

I think getting more comfortable with the posting/sitting motion on a horse with a softer trot would be better for you, although not one where it requires absolutely no effort. What exactly is it that you're having trouble with on your horse? Do you have a tendency to lean forward with his bouncy trot? If I do this then I end up badly out of sync and feeling as if I'm going to fall forward onto the ground. Or is it that the horse's step pushes you so far up out of the saddle that you're coming down and he's coming back up again? Is it only sitting trot that you're having trouble doing on your horse or posting too?

Please don't get discouraged; I'm sure you'll figure out what your horse needs soon, and when you do you'll feel great! I'm currently trying to get over my canter anxiety, and it's taken me months to feel slightly comfortable again.

Have you seen the pages on this site written by Heather describing the aspects of sitting and rising trot? I found her advice to be invaluable as I was learning to sit to the trot.

[Heather]

HI Kas,

Which country do you live in? If only we could get you on the simulator! Sorry to sound like a saleswoman, but try using one of my Seatbone Savers- they really do help to absorb some of the movement of a bouncy horse, and also do very few strides at a time, no more than half a doxen to begin with then back to walk. This will keep up the quality of the trot, and make it less hard under you, the back will stay up and rounder due to the frequent transitions, and you will learn how to make the transitions smoother when you are not getting bounced around so much. Gradually you will be able to increase the number of strides as your seat improves.

All the best,

HEather

[kas]

Heather and everyone else thanks for replying.

Heather, I live on the outskirts of London so if you could teleport yourself and a simulator down for at least 6 months that would be a great help. (ha ha). Seriously if you are coming down this way, or if any of your simulators are going to be down this way, I would be very interested.
It is only sitting trot I have problems with and only on my horse, I have a seatbone saver somewhere so I'll give it a try and let you know.
I rode another horse on Sunday and had no problems doing transitions in all 3 paces