English riding lessons trot?

Question

Hi I just started English riding lessons, secound class today. Now we've moved on to some trotting and I'm having alot of trouble with the "Up Down" rhythm, I can't push myself up. It's kind of annoying to because there's alot of videos of people in 2nd lessons were they get it right away, and even younger kids 6 or 7 I know can do it but I just can't. I'm in Ballet as well and I'm used to pushing with my foot down so I think that mess's me a bit, but does it take some people longer then others to get it? My problem is I have trouble getting up with out pushing down with my feet and messing up the whole foot position, and I kinda need to improve my upper body strength.

Any tips on trotting English style? ;)

Answer 1

If its any consolation, I find that dancers usually have a harder time when they start riding. I don't know why, but I guess its just that dancing builds all the wrong muscles for riding! Don't worry, you'll get it, it just takes time.

Answer 2

the posting trot should come more from your hips/core muscles than your lower leg, so instead of focusing on standing up, try bringing your hips forward, using your horses momentum makes this easier(i.e make sure he/she has a good trot, not just poking around the arena). 2-point may help keep your feet in position by forcing you to drop your weight into your heels. be patient, you'll get the hang of it sooner than you think.

Answer 3

open your knees. meaning don't grip the saddle with your knees, that will cause you to lose balance and fall forward. pull your leg back, so you're not in the chair seat position. SInce you're a ballet dancer, opening you knee is like a plie (plee-ay) (sorry for spelling). You drop all of your weight down in your heels, so your heels are down, you point your toes out (not too much), and you lower calves should be in contact with your horse/saddle. Someone should be able to stick a hot dog in between your knee and the saddle (weird analogy, but thats how i learned). Remember to sit up. Heres a little saying i was also taught. "Rise and fall with the leg on the wall." Or if you single twinkle twinkle little star to yourself. Everytime you hit a new word, post, next word, sit. After a awhile you will feel if your posting on the right diagonal or the wrong diagonal, if you're on the wrong one, sit and count two steps. Posting took a long time for me to get down with out falling over on my horses neck, it just takes practice. You'll get it. Eventually you're trainer will probably have you drop your stirrups and post without stirrups, you gain ALOT of balance that way, i sure did. good luck!

Answer 4

First off, dont feel bad many people take longer to get Posting right. The key to posting is use your abdomanal muscles.The beat should be 1,2,1,2,1,2. At 1, lift up out of the saddle, and at 2 come back down

When you come up out of the saddle should be when the horses front leg comes forward. Pretend you are pushing your pelvic bones (or your zipper of your pants)forward. keep your heels down and make sure just to get off the saddle not fly up into the air. It just takes practice. SOme people just have the rythm on their first lesson, just try

Answer 5

I would suggest that when you are posting (the up down motion) that you say quietly to yourself "1,2. 1,2." over and over again because that is the rythm of the trot. Don't worry about all those people who get it faster, you will catch on eventually! I would go into two-point when you trot then next time, as it will help you get used to the feel of the trot.

Like I said, you will get it eventually if you just keep trying. Good luck!

Answer 6

it's only your second lesson so you need to relax... it can be frustrating especially when you see other kids 'get it right away' but it's really just a matter of time and practice...

trying just sitting in the saddle, don't push yourself for a few strides so that you feel the natural "up down" (you'll be pushed out the saddle somewhat since you're new and not ready to start sitting trot yet).. and then follow.  if needed ask your instructor to count aloud for you (i realize it's a group lesson but ask her to do it just for a minute or so until you get on the beat) with "1, 2, 1, 2," or "up, down, up down" this really helps..

as i said, it will come with time as will your foot position and upper body strength... if you want see if you could schedule a few extra private lessons, this will really boost your confidence as a beginner and help you as the instructor will focus only on you.  see if you could do 1/2 hour private lessons, or ask if you could pay a little extra for an extra 10 minutes of private lessons before/after your group lesson.

good luck!!

Answer 7

It is hard to get it at first...i had a tough time with it but i kept at it and one lesson i just got it. And now i have been riding for almost 6 years. Don't get discouraged, you will get it at your own time.

Answer 8

Heyy ...ahh dont expect to get it straight away! It took me ages! Just stick with it and you will edventually! ..If it helps I used hold onto the front of the saddle to rise up and then when coming down just barley tip the saddle,depending if the pony has a long or short stride tho! ..Grip with you calf alot but make sure you keep you heels down so they dont slip!

Easier than it sounds! Good Luck (:

Answer 9

OMG IT TOOK ME FOR EVERRRRRRRRRRRRRR TO GET IT!!!! JUST GIVE IT TIME AND DONT GET FRUSTERATED WITH YOURSELF OR YOUR HORSE =) GOOD LUCK

Answer 10

ive been giving lessons to a ten year old for about...maybe two months, with no real schedule. she can now two point comfortably in the trot and can count the trot beat, but she still cant post. i have her two point all the time without stirrups, and just get used to the motion more. posting is alot about leg and inner thigh strength, balance, and knowing the horses's trot rythm. and posting had nothing to do with you pressing your feet into the stirrups, because people can post without stirrups. its about gripping with your calves and inner thighs (not your knees), and pushing your hips up and out. just keep trying it, and eventually youll learn the rythm.

Answer 11

Try standing on the edge of a stair and letting your heel drop down like it's in a stirrup to practice to foot position.  When you're riding you should also be careful not to push you feet forward when you're trying to push you heels down.  You need to keep your lower leg under you in order to get up.  If your leg comes forward you will fall backwards.

Maybe try having someone hold your horse still while you put your hands on your head.  Practice standing up and holding yourself up as long as you can.  If you can figure that out posting will be a lot easier.

Don't worry though.  I used to teach riding lessons at a summer camp and it took some of the campers the whole summer (16 lessons) to figure out posting.  Keep practicing, it will come.  And ask you instructor for specifics of what you're doing wrong.

Answer 12

Just keep with it...Some people just get certain things faster than others.  Keep your heels down and your toes pointed out a bit.  Be leaning forward just a bit and keep your hands low and steady.  You can rest them on the horses neck if you like-just make sure not to put any pressure on them!  It is harder to get the up down rhythm on a slow trotting horse..speed her up and hold on with your inner thighs until you feel comfortable about rising up.  Ideally, the bounce of her trot will actually help push you out of the saddle, but if you have a horse with a really smooth trot you are going to have to determine the rhythm yourself..Wait until you feel her beginning to take a step and push herself up - remember your position though!  Keep doing this to her steps

Answer 13

It takes different people different lengths of time to learn this. Don't worry about it - once you "click"  you will not even be able to see why you had a problem. It's like that.

Try not to get frustrated and angry at yourself. Deep breaths and stay calm. It will come.

Answer 14

Have you started rising in the saddle into two-point or half seat yet? Stand up in the stirrups and really sink your heels down. Then, sink back into the saddle while keeping your heels in the same place. When posting, keep your entire leg pressed to the horse to keep you grip stable, and while still keeping your heels down, let the horse's motion push you up and use your hips to swing up and forward. Everyone has trouble with posting at first but it's one of those feelings that as soon as it clicks, you'll never forget the feeling and you'll always understand it.

Answer 15

Well, i just recently did a lesson that involved with trotting aand the up down thing. Lately to practice for that, I would count 1,2,1,2,1,2,1,2........ or up,down,up,down to keep the rhythm and go u p and down while standing or in a rocking chair.

Answer 16

Strong has nothing to do with it when you ride.  Upper body strength is good, but that isn't your problem, I'm sure.  

You are just going to have to be patient and work with your trainer, and you WILL get it.  Any new sport takes time and hard work.  Yes, some people do catch on quicker, but it isn't a race and it doesn't matter if some 6 year olds post quickly, and some adults take longer to learn the technique.  So I would suggest you cut yourself some slack.

As for advice on Yahoo or anywhere else - there are some things that are very hard to learn from books or reading, they have to be DONE to learn it.  In my opinion, posting is one of those things.

The only tip I can give you is - posting really isn't about going up.  It's about going down.  Many trainers teach their riders to post by having them two-point.  To two-point, all you do is have the horse stand totally still, and then stand up in the stirrups (maybe hanging onto a piece of their mane if necessary) so all your weight is in the stirrups and your bum is not on the saddle.  Once you can keep your balance that way for 10 seconds when halted, then try it at a walk.  When you're good at that, try it at a trot.  The whole part about posting is - you two-point, and then you let your weight down when the horse's leg steps down, and then you rise to the two-point position again.  It will take a while to get the rhythym, and some horses are alot easier to learn on than others, because of the quality of their trot.

You can do it, don't give up.  And don't worry about my advice, whatever your trainer does will be the best for you!