Why can't I trot?

Question

I've had my second lesson of horse riding so far and I made a complete fool of myself in it. My trianer was trying to teach me how to trot and I just couldn't get it. This may not seem like a question but I just need to write this down somewhere to make me feel better :P. The thing is, it's hard for me to go up and down on the stirrups and kick at the same time. The horse's movement of going up and down is really strong and I just seem to be bouncing around everywhere instead of using my legs. How embarrasing...Does anyone have any tips that could work besides 'practice' cuz I know I have to. I just feel like I don't wanna show my face there again :(

Answer 1

If yo have only had two lessons then I would not worry just yet.  It will take you quite a while to feel comfortable in the trot and sitting trot will tkae longer to master than rising trot.

As you rise, do not think about kicking the horse, think about squeezing his sides with your calves.  Also allow the movement of the horse to push you out of the saddle - a good rider can do rising trot without stirrups!

Do not stress too much, tell your instructor that you are concerned and they will be able to give you plenty of tips.

Don't give it up just yet, I promise it will get better - we've all been through the same thing!

Answer 2

The best thing to do is work at it.  Umm. try to squeez your legs together my trainer told me to give your horse a hug with your legs.  I am no expert but really you will get it, give yourself a little time!

Good luck~!

Answer 3

I learned how to post (that's what going up and down is called) on my 17th birthday in Ireland. I had never been English riding before, and I was totally shocked. All I had was a short little man in front of me who didn't talk to me the whole time. The first time the horse began trotting, I kind of freaked out and didn't do anything, but after a while, I got the hang of it.

What you have to do is squeeze the horse with your legs and find the horse's rythm. Once you've found the rythm, it's much easier. Don't concentrate on standing in and out of the seat, it's more of a squeeze and rock kind of thing.

So you squeeze your thighs together and rock your hips foreward and up out of the saddle a bit, then relax them and allow yourself to sit back down in the saddle, then repeat. I really hope this helps!

It's a thing you can't concentrate on, you have to just let your body figure out what to do because your brain won't know. After a while, it's really easy to find the horse's rythm and then easier still to post.

Good luck!

Answer 4

Hmmmm....

Look dude, no one was born like a natural horse rider, not even the best ones!!  This was your first try and how you've done is practically normal.  I know it's hard to do 2 things once but that what's horse riding is all about.  I'm not a proffesional horse rider and you know that I'm sure. But I do think that Practice makes Perfect and that's what you should do. Your horse must be really strong and fussy because most horses do that when a new rider gets on him. I've seen a tutorial on National Geographic before. The thing they did was that first they made the horse get used to you. They used to make the rider roam it around,not by riding on him, but leading him. After the first few days, they held a sort of test which was that the the rider would walk away and if the horse would follow him or her, they would be ready.   Then the rider would ride the horse and take over a few hurdles. And that rider won her town's championship. This'll take a two or three weeks and if you're really bad then a whole month.  I don't think you're situation is that bad but still... :)

But don't you dare get disheartened. What happened to you might have happened to every single person who's newly started riding.      So, I hope my answer sort of makes you feel better and not worse.

Good Luck and... remember PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT!

PS...  Don't you get disheartened either!!