04/13/2024
Rising trot or Posting:
A lot of riders, both English and Western, find rising trot a bit bouncy!
It doesn’t need to be.
Rising trot can be an elastic, smooth and light feeling of rising up, then allowing back down - just ‘kissing’ the saddle with the seat and letting the horses’ spring lift them up again.
This requires the rider to be in balance vertically.
A lot of Western riders ride with their legs bracing forward into their stirrups, which pushes the back of the bum into the back of the saddle.
That can feel very secure until you need to squeeze with the legs or come up off the saddle.
I TEACH THIS ON THE LUNGE:
Riders ‘get it’ within 30 minutes and from then on rising trot is a dream!
In order to be mobile and prepared for all things, you need to shift those legs and feet back, underneath you, so you can’t see your feet without leaning forwards.
It’s not just a matter of bending your knees, it’s a thigh thing. Slide the thigh down and back and the feet are naturally brought under you.
I will help you find that position and get it back when you lose it… which invariably happens from time to time.
Then, first at a standstill and holding the horn, try standing right up.
You’ll need your head to be in front of the vertical. Then bring your hips up in an ark to end up in line (don’t let the bum stick out) with your head leading the way.
Allow the weight of your legs to drop your heels down ie. don’t stand on tiptoes (you’ll fall forwards!).
Keep the feet still, no sliding forwards or back, just down in line.
Practice that a few times while holding pommel or horn, then gradually begin to let go and, if you have a handler holding your horse, bring your arms out in front of you.
Your hips are right forward (feels like you are making an ark up and forwards with your hips) till your p***c bone is touching the horn and your head is slightly in front of the vertical - all of you is in a straight horizontal line.
* To test your balance:
While standing up, try going from tiptoe in the stirrups to heel down and back again without losing balance. Letting your weight bring you down.
* Then work on slowly repeating the exaggerated rising and sitting until you can do it without wobbling.
* Be aware that you are allowing the heels to drop as you rise up.
The exercise builds up from there, working on standing and sitting SLOWLY in WALK without losing balance.
Then introduce trot… a strong, forward-going trot is best, in order to feel and go with the horses’ natural spring. Punching your hips forwards and back.
Note: Always sit for the first two or three strides of trot before starting to post.
I will soon be posting videos of this and other exercises to help with balance and communication with your horse.
