Another posting trot question?

Question

The previous question reminded me of this, so I thought I might look for input. This particular student does her posting trot just fine (she's been riding for 2 or 3 years) but she can't seem to get her diagnols. She can change them if we tell her she is wrong, and she understands the concept of rising when the outside leg moves forward. Her problem is that she can't actually tell when the leg is moving forward or back. I've tried multiple variations of having her sit when it comes back, or saying out loud "up" when the leg starts to move forward. I've tried to give her different ways of looking at it, we've tried several different ponies, and nothing seems to work. The poor little girl is frustrated to tears that she can't get it and some of the younger kids can. We've encouraged her, not pressured her, and tried to be as supportive and understanding as possible. What can she do to help her be able to tell when the leg goes forward or back?

Answer 1

Tell your student to rise and fall with the leg on the wall.

Answer 2

well, do you have a paint horse with a colored shoulder?  That way she would be able to see a different color moving fore ward (white one side, brown other)  obviously, you need a horse that has correct markings but that's how i learned!

also, if you have a VERY calm horse, you could be "jingle bells" on the horses outside leg, so that whenever the leg moved forwards it would ring.  You need a very easy going horse for this though..

good luck, this is a tough issue...

Answer 3

I had this exact problem for years since I first learned posting on an ex-trotter and then horses with very, very smooth gaits. It clicked finally when I switched to a horse with a very rough trot and the difference between being on and off the diagonal was very apparent.

Answer 4

I heard you could put tape. Like painters tape on their shoulder and it will look different when the horses leg goes forward and back. Not sure if it works so you might want to get on and see. Hope it helps. Yall seem to have lots of trotting issues....

Answer 5

Theres a girl like this at my riding stable. Shes 16 and is in lower classes than 11-13 year old kids, b/c she cant figure out her diagnols either. But her issue is a bit different, apparently she doesnt know her rights from lefts by heart.

There are several ways to help your student though:

1.) Put her on a horse that takes big strides when trotting (Moves his feet further forward to take bigger steps). Since he puts his feet further forward, his shoulders will move out more, making it a bit easier to see the movement of the shoulders.

2.) Make some sort of mark on the outside shoulder, so it is a bit easier to see the movement

3.) Put her on a calm horse. Have her lean forward and put her hands on the front of the horse's shoulders (around the chest area of the horse) so she can feel the horse's shoulders moving back and forth. You should probably do this at a walk hehe.

4.) Have her ride bareback on a horse. If she isnt experienced enough to do so, just have her do a sitting trot on a saddled horse. Make sure the horse is a smooth trotter. That way, she can feel the barrel of the horse moving from side to side. When she can feel the barrel of the horse moving to the outside, thats when she should sit up

I hope these tips helped!

Answer 6

Can you start by putting her on bareback at a trot so she can literally feel the movement? Do that piece before she tries again to work on posting. Separate the part out that she's having trouble with-- feeling the leg move. If she's in a group lesson, get her out of the group where she's surrounded by little kids who are doing it when she can't. Maybe a really short private will help her learn how this feels. I'm guessing that she hasn't figured out what it *FEELS* like, so just work on that only. I'm guessing that it won't take very long, especially if you can get her to just relax and stop stressing out.

If you know someone who does clicker training, consider having them watch the horse move while she's on it, and click when the correct leg moves forward. She can listen for the click and hopefully connect that with what the horse is doing at the moment.

Answer 7

Another idea.  Have her trot her horse (you could lunge her) with her eyes closed and see if she can feel where each leg is without looking.  Sometimes this helps.

Makes me want to hop on a horse and try it myself, just for old times sake.

Answer 8

you could put a amrk on the horses shoulder or something.... if the horse is a paint or has a marking, that could help. or you could put something noticeable on the side of the saddle. you could lunge her so she can concentrate on the one shoulder, and not where shes going.