Is posting neccessary on English Saddle?

Question

I love riding english over western, but it posting really neccessary while trotting? What is the purpose of this and can you just ride without posting?

Answer 1

Posting isn't something you HAVE to do.  English horses have a longer stride than western horses.  They're designed to cover a lot of ground quickly, without having to run really fast.  Posting originated when post-men in England would ride horses across country to deliver messages.  They'd ride horses with a long stride, but because of the long stride, they were really bouncy.  Sitting the trot for a long time on a really bouncy horse is very uncomfortable for both horse and rider.  As such, the post men discovered that if you stand up for every other bounce, it's a lot more comfortable.  If you're going to horse show, you'll need to post in the show.  However, there's nothing to say that you have to post when you're just riding your horse casually.  When you ride a dressage test, you sit the trot the whole time, even during the really extended trot... usually they'll post a little while the horse warms up and stretches out... but when you do the test, very rarely will it ask you to post the trot.  I'm so used to posting that I post all the time, even if I am riding western.  Heck, if the road is bumpy enough, I post in the car!  But if you're comfortable sitting the trot, you can sit while riding english.

Answer 2

Posting depends upon the exercise or application.  It is not necessary for every gait or exercise.

Many riding activities and maneuvers can be performed without posting.

Answer 3

Posting is simply a way to make trotting more comfortable.  It arose from a time period before carriages were guided by drivers sitting in the vehicle, but by riders who rode one of the horses pulling the carriage.  There could be either one rider per pair of horses or one rider on one of the lead horses.  Without saddles and often without stirrups, trotting for miles the riders learned that if they followed the motion and rose and fell with the rhythm of the horse that they were less sore.  English riding commonly, not always, demands that riders learn to both post and sit the trot.  You don't have to post if you are simply hacking around the farm, but you will look silly in the hunter ring at shows if you are the only one sitting the trot when everyone else is posting.  Generally it is considered appropriate to post when trotting unless told to sit the trot.  Trotting, though similar to the western jog is faster and should have a bit more rise and action in the leg, it will make you more comfortable to post once you know how, learning to post can be an exhausting process leaving many riders weak legged and wobbly kneed.  

Answer 4

It's not the saddle, it's the horse!

English style horses  are encouraged to move with more extension and thus more bounce at the trot than western style horses.  English riding requires both  posting and sitting trots, and there is a time for each,  If you're riding a smooth gaited horse like a QH, it may be easier to sit, but he shouldn't be doing that easy western jog - he needs to be more forward and more animated.  This will make posting easier and more necessary.