OK English riders, can you help a cowgirl learn how to post the trot?

[smaggi]

I ride western and I've never really learned how to ride a trot by posting. I've always done a sitting trot. Whenever I used to try to post, it felt so awkward that I would just sit instead.

I finally figured out a couple of things that I was doing wrong. I had to sit up on my seat bones more in the saddle, which brought my weight more forward. I found that it was easier to rise and I had much better balance in that position. Posting was much easier after that. I felt like I could go forever.

I also used to grab with my thighs when I would would rise. Now I open my hips and leave some air space between my legs and the saddle.

Any other suggestions?

[Aphrodite]

Hi

Shortening your stirrups may help. I've been led to believe (don't know if it's right) that western riders ride with stirrups longer that english style. Soz, am no expert!

[smaggi]

You're absolutely right, because I did have to shorten my stirrups one notch. I just forgot to mention it. It felt really strange at first, but now I'm getting used to it.

[SupaTania]

yeah, shortening your stirrups will help if you'[ve just started to learn to ride english. Also, remember that posting is just an effort to sit down softy. The horse pushes you out of the saddle, and your responsibility is to simply not slam on his back, sit down softly and let him push you out of the saddle once again. - alot easier said then done i know.

Once you can post with stirrups, try posting without!

[Afellpony]

Shorten your stirrups to what length is comfortable for you. To do the rising trot, let the horse throw you up (not too high) and you control the coming down. Dont land with a hard bump down on the saddle though! If you want the horse to slow down, just slow your rising.

[smaggi]

Originally Posted by SupaTania

Once you can post with stirrups, try posting without!

Boy that sounds tough!

At first, I used to rise and just plop back down in the saddle. Now I am learning to sit more softly. I'm sure that Cisco appreciates the effort.

[Hallmarked]

Many years ago I had an instructor who used to shout

"Hips to hands" when we were learning rising trot.

The rise needs to be an up and forward movement, rather than a straight up and down, but try to do this without tipping forward, just allow your hips to swing slightly. This will help you keep more control over the movement. I think it is more comfortable for the horse as well.

Also practicing rising without stirrups is good for you - builds up the correct muscles and balance. Start with very short spells and build up - like whot I do - not

If it all seems hard work - remember there are hoards of english style riders who are struggling with the sitting trot.

[galadriel]

Posting trot: http://lorienstable.com/articles/riding/400-trotting/

[SA rider]

Just to add to the hips to hands thing (good advice) when you touch down in the saddle again, don't let your hip bones collapse back, keep them slightly arched forward ready for the rise again, this will stop you bumping back down.
I teach alot of teenage girls to ride so when I'm teaching them to post I've started shouting "ok girls, I want those belly rings popping up to say hello..." this usually causes a few laughs and seems to help them understand that they have to be aware of what their stomach muscles are doing ie. keeping firm, as opposed to collapsing and stretching.

[smaggi]

The hips to hands thing helped quite a bit. Right now I'm at the stage where sometimes I feel so balanced and could post forever. The next time I feel completely out of balance. When I'm out of balance, it's usually because my weight is too far back.

This weekend we put a new roof on the barn for 2 days. That was 2 days of climbing ladders and squatting up and down on the roof. The next day I worked on my posting. My legs feel pretty tight today.