Help with posting trot?

Question

Does anyone have a good training method to keep my lower body still at the posting trot? I've just started to merge over from western to English and I'm having trouble with my posting. I find myself gripping with my knees to keep them still but I don't think i should be.

Answer 1

You are correct that you should not be gripping with your knee. If you do that, you end us using your knee as a pivot point and you lower leg becomes loose.  What you want is for your legs to be relaxed and stable and underneath you.

Here are some exercises to try:

Stand in the stirrups at walk and trot - not posting just standing. See how long you can stand in the stirrups without sitting down. Rest your hands on the horse's neck if you have to to keep from catching his mouth, but try not to use his neck for balance.

Try doing posting trot, but stay up for two beats instead of one - down up up down up up. This will help you to stay in balance at the trot and keep your leg underneath.

Also work in two point jumping position a lot. Can you stay in two point for a circle or a circuit of the arena? Can you do it without using your hands for balance?

Finally, there is the three seats exercise. Do 10 strides sitting trot, 10 strides posting trot, and 10 strides jumping position and rotate between the three seats constantly. As you master that, shorten your time in each seat to 5 strides. For more challenge, reverse the order.

All these exercises will help you to get in balance, get your lower leg back underneath you, and get weight on it so your legs become stable.  

Answer 2

Try some lunge lessons without stirrups. This will help you build muscle in your calves to help you stay in place.

Unlike another user said, never pinch with your knees. This is a bad habit, and will make your upper body come forward, and ruin your balance.

Answer 3

You really just need practice practice practice! Always try and keep proper form even if it's difficult because eventually you will develop the proper muscles and it will feel completely natural. Work on your leg strength and your form and it will get easier...good luck! :)

Answer 4

That's right, you shouldn't grab with your knees! Just stay still as hard as you can, when you get use to it you just automatically do                            

it. Make sure that you are on the right lead though!

Answer 5

Ride stirrup less! When I was younger my trainer made me ride stirrup less at the posting trot for a half hour at every lesson. Amazing results in about a month!Just be sure to not ride off of his mouth, to prevent this you could have someone lunge him while you post stirrupless. Make sure you close your whole leg onto the horse, and good luck!

Answer 6

The absolute best way to fix leg problems is to ride in your two point. This position will help you learn to sink into your heels and let your ankles absorb any shock. At the same time, it will help you learn to keep your leg in the most secure/correct position. This is best done with someone watching you to make sure you are not putting your upper body too far forward, which will cause your lower leg to swing backwards and still allow knee gripping.

Answer 7

I had the same problem, Just tighten up your legs (your knees) and just flow with your horse, Don't use your reins like handle bars but use them as communication fo you and your horse. Some people that have trouble with the posting trot will tend to hang onto the reins and pull on them to stable themselvs.

Hope this helps!