As a coach, a lot of questions I’m asked are basically repetitions. One question that I’m frequently asked is, “Can I learn to sit better while on the trot”?
If that is a question that’s bothering you, also , here are some answers for you.
1. The main need is that your pony is on the bit. You’ll struggle to sit if your horse’s back is stiff, hollow or tight. And it is pretty much a certainty that if you’re uncomfortable, you will somehow cause discomfort to your pony, too!
Put your pony on the bit by getting the connecting half halt right.
2. Slow down the trot. Ride on very low throttle and when you’re able to sit easily, step on the gas in a couple of stages, a little bit at a time. Slow down once again.
3. Get the pony on the bit while at a posting trot. When your horse is round, sit quiet for 2 or 3 strides. Get to posting once again, before you give in to the desire to utilise your legs to grip your pony. Set your body right, relax the legs and again sit quiet for 2 or 3 strides.
4. Cross the stirrups over at the saddle’s front. Do posting without using the irons till your legs tire. You’ll be unable to grip with tired legs, and that will make you sit deeper.
5. Concentrate on your own hips. Make a note of the way they close and open on the walk. Try and imitate that precise motion on the sitting trot.
6. Make believe that you’re a practiced belly dancer. Swivel your hips.
7. Grip the saddle’s front with the inside hand. Using that same hand, pull yourself more deeply into your saddle. This way, you will be able to experience the feel of sitting in sync with your horse on the sitting trot.
8. Relax your thighs and knees; take them off saddle briefly, about an inch or so. Let them drop back, this time very lightly.
9. Go thru some lunge lessons. There’s no better way to master the kind of independent seat that can let you sit comfortably through a trot. Avoid using stirrups or reins for the lessons. Leave the steering and control of speed to the individual that is lunging you. Go through some exercises: move part of your body while keeping the rest positively still. You can do exercises like scissor kicks and arm circles. Practice deep seats while your horse is in travelling gaits; continue to practice through down or up transitions.
Horses are Heather Tomspassion and she enjoys sharing her extensive knowledge through her 100s of articles with other horse lovers visit HorseHorses
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