Worried about falling off during wTc -

Question

My trainer is starting to advance me into trot... and i always feel like i am about to fall off and my feet fly out of the stirrups... what can i do to help this? Any advice about trotting would be great -

Answer 1

Worrying about it will make you tense up which will make you bounce more. Your feet are coming out of the stirrups because you are tense and you are "gripping up" with your legs and squeezing on the horse ( which, unless you have a very patient beginner friendly horse) will make your horse trot faster and be even more bouncy.

So what you need to do is to relax into the movement ( I know that is not easy to do) take deep even breaths and hum or sing to yourself it it helps. Stretch your legs downwards and find the rhythm.  Balance will come with practice and, in the meantime, it is not a crime to grab the saddle or neckstrap if you feel like you are starting to slip off.

Answer 2

Keep your heels down! that will help steady your leg. Also you need to establish more balance, that's why you feel like your going to fall off. There are exercises you can do on the ground to help learn to balance yourself... I suggest you try a balance board, and read Daniel Stewart's book, its really a great book! :)

Answer 3

You should talk to your instruckor about posting. And rember to keep your heels down.

Answer 4

I know it sounds scary but you need to do some non stirrups work.  This will really improve your balance.  If you dont feel confident with this then just practice practice practice, it will all come together with time.  And as the previous person said there are lots of exercises you can do on the ground to improve your balance.  There are LOADS of equestrian books, take a trip to your local library.

Answer 5

posting helps so much to help you feel sturdier in trotting. i think that keeping your heels down and a good posture while trotting will help you bunches!! :) btw remember your horse isnt trying to buck you off so dont worry about controlling him just wrry about your posture and staying on the saddle.

Answer 6

Perhaps your stirrups arnt the correct length.

All i can sugest is practise, you will get used to it and you will be able to sit to it better.  

Answer 7

If you worry about it than you will not be focus and wind up falling off.

keep your heals down, squeeze with your thighs (if western), look to where you want to go, and best off dont worry just think of it as walking. i ride without stirrups i have balance and i can even go into a canter without them. Also make sure your stomach is in lined with your horn that's best balance you can get and keep you back straight.

If your English push with your thighs not your feet. :]

Good luck in advancing to trotting