Rider problem :D

Kirsten93 · 10-10-2009, 02:13 PM

So today I rode for the first time in a while at a nearby lesson horse. I've never experienced such a bouncy trot! I think it's mostly because his stride is so huge (16hh TB). I was having a heck of a time with it and felt so clumsy and stupid the whole time. He cantered like a dream though, I felt like I was flying!
Is this something I just have to get used to or is there something I can do to get my balance centered whilst riding out that crazy trot?

I'm definitely more used to little arabs and overgrown ponies

IIIBarsV · 10-10-2009, 05:30 PM

Sitting trot or posting trot?

Get the posting down-pat first. Sitting... try it for a couple strides, then post, rebalance... sit for a few, post for a few... partly, because you're not used to his movement yet. Once you play around with it, you'll fall into better rhythym. If you want to give yourself a real workout, get someone to put you on a lungeline and sit trot around without your reins. (keep stirrups)

Kirsten93 · 10-10-2009, 10:14 PM

Well, to be honest the sitting trot was easier for me...hmmm

I think that the shorter stirrups really added to it, I felt like I was being launched out of the saddle every time I rose to post. I'd do the lungeline, but I can only make it to lessons once a week, and it's a group lessons so that isn't an option

She had us two-point for a VERY long time at the trot which was also easier, but my legs are feeling it now

Rhythm 'n Blues · 10-11-2009, 06:55 AM

^^ With people who struggle to get use to "bigger movement" they often are concentrating on the DOWN part of the post, because they dont' want to get launched outta the tack. You need to concentrate on the UP part and going UP WITH the horse. Many people end up coming down too soon, which then makes their UP too soon as well and then you're totally fighting the motion of the horse.

Honestly, the next time you ride, really concentrate on the UP of your post and I bet you will find it much easier. If you count "1-2-1-2...." that can also help you keep your body together with the horse.

THis is something that I have done with people who aren't use to WB movement and it ALWAYS works.

Kirsten93 · 10-11-2009, 07:19 AM

I'll definitely try that! I think that will help since I also noticed that I felt like my posting was soooo slow because his striding was so big that he didn't take as many steps.

meljean · 10-11-2009, 07:47 AM

You will get hang of it, horse is big, don't know how much length of leg you have got, but that makes a difference too. Also short stirrups, and group lesson makes one. 1212 advice good, you may feel like a sack of potatoes on a wheelbarrow going down flight of stairs for a couple of lessons more, but then you will "get" it, and you'll never lose it again. Good luck.

Kirsten93 · 10-11-2009, 07:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by meljean

You will get hang of it, horse is big, don't know how much length of leg you have got, but that makes a difference too. Also short stirrups, and group lesson makes one. 1212 advice good, you may feel like a sack of potatoes on a wheelbarrow going down flight of stairs for a couple of lessons more, but then you will "get" it, and you'll never lose it again. Good luck.

Thanks! I'm actually 5'9" and have pretty long legs, so how would that affect me?

BlingRacer · 10-11-2009, 02:34 PM

Just give it time....It takes time adjusting to a bigger stride. I'm used to big horses (Xander is 16.2) but he's a very western mover. I'm taking English lessons on a 17.2h TB, and it has taken me a little bit to feel comfortable.

meljean · 10-11-2009, 04:53 PM

Almost as tall as daughter, well with the shorter stirrups, then when you post, the length of your legs will make you come up further in air, also horse could be a hard trotter, my QH has trot at times that feel like he is pounding the ground, but can trot like on feathers too. The horse may also do a little twist, had an Arab mare that felt like at a trot she was doing a shimmy under you, very hard to both sit and post. Couldn't pick it up from watching her from ground, just had to feel it under you.
Are you able to keep heels down well with this horse?

noreins · 10-11-2009, 05:08 PM

i made the mistake of letting my very inexperienced friend on my 16h paint gelding and he has a nice stride so needless to say... she learned the hardest part of riding... the ground.

10-10-2009, 02:13 PM	#1
Kirsten93 Senior Member+ Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: NorCal Posts: 1,146 Images: 95	Rider problem :D So today I rode for the first time in a while at a nearby lesson horse. I've never experienced such a bouncy trot! I think it's mostly because his stride is so huge (16hh TB). I was having a heck of a time with it and felt so clumsy and stupid the whole time. He cantered like a dream though, I felt like I was flying! Is this something I just have to get used to or is there something I can do to get my balance centered whilst riding out that crazy trot? I'm definitely more used to little arabs and overgrown ponies __________________ Kirsten can't spell, so please tell her if there is an error in her post so she can learn more

10-10-2009, 05:30 PM	#2
IIIBarsV Senior Member+ Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Eastern Ontario, Canada Posts: 3,376 Images: 27	Sitting trot or posting trot? Get the posting down-pat first. Sitting... try it for a couple strides, then post, rebalance... sit for a few, post for a few... partly, because you're not used to his movement yet. Once you play around with it, you'll fall into better rhythym. If you want to give yourself a real workout, get someone to put you on a lungeline and sit trot around without your reins. (keep stirrups) __________________ Three Bars The Fifth Jags Fleeting Rocket Wish I'd Get Lucky Chipped In Stone Zip Code Bay B Suns Eternal Flame

10-10-2009, 10:14 PM	#3
Kirsten93 Senior Member+ Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: NorCal Posts: 1,146 Images: 95	Well, to be honest the sitting trot was easier for me...hmmm I think that the shorter stirrups really added to it, I felt like I was being launched out of the saddle every time I rose to post. I'd do the lungeline, but I can only make it to lessons once a week, and it's a group lessons so that isn't an option She had us two-point for a VERY long time at the trot which was also easier, but my legs are feeling it now __________________ Kirsten can't spell, so please tell her if there is an error in her post so she can learn more

10-11-2009, 06:55 AM	#4
Rhythm 'n Blues Senior Member+ Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 3,677 Images: 172	^^ With people who struggle to get use to "bigger movement" they often are concentrating on the DOWN part of the post, because they dont' want to get launched outta the tack. You need to concentrate on the UP part and going UP WITH the horse. Many people end up coming down too soon, which then makes their UP too soon as well and then you're totally fighting the motion of the horse. Honestly, the next time you ride, really concentrate on the UP of your post and I bet you will find it much easier. If you count "1-2-1-2...." that can also help you keep your body together with the horse. THis is something that I have done with people who aren't use to WB movement and it ALWAYS works. __________________ Pay equal (if not more) attention to your own self carriage as that of your horse

10-11-2009, 07:19 AM	#5
Kirsten93 Senior Member+ Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: NorCal Posts: 1,146 Images: 95	I'll definitely try that! I think that will help since I also noticed that I felt like my posting was soooo slow because his striding was so big that he didn't take as many steps. __________________ Kirsten can't spell, so please tell her if there is an error in her post so she can learn more

10-11-2009, 07:47 AM	#6
meljean Senior Member+ Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: NW MO Posts: 1,017	You will get hang of it, horse is big, don't know how much length of leg you have got, but that makes a difference too. Also short stirrups, and group lesson makes one. 1212 advice good, you may feel like a sack of potatoes on a wheelbarrow going down flight of stairs for a couple of lessons more, but then you will "get" it, and you'll never lose it again. Good luck. __________________ "If you listen to the horse, the horse will tell you what it wants to be." Dale Pugh "You can undo in five seconds, the training it took you five years to accomplish." Wyman E. Bennett

10-11-2009, 02:34 PM	#8
BlingRacer Senior Member+ Join Date: May 2007 Location: TX Posts: 1,377 Images: 267	Just give it time....It takes time adjusting to a bigger stride. I'm used to big horses (Xander is 16.2) but he's a very western mover. I'm taking English lessons on a 17.2h TB, and it has taken me a little bit to feel comfortable. __________________

10-11-2009, 04:53 PM	#9
meljean Senior Member+ Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: NW MO Posts: 1,017	Almost as tall as daughter, well with the shorter stirrups, then when you post, the length of your legs will make you come up further in air, also horse could be a hard trotter, my QH has trot at times that feel like he is pounding the ground, but can trot like on feathers too. The horse may also do a little twist, had an Arab mare that felt like at a trot she was doing a shimmy under you, very hard to both sit and post. Couldn't pick it up from watching her from ground, just had to feel it under you. Are you able to keep heels down well with this horse? __________________ "If you listen to the horse, the horse will tell you what it wants to be." Dale Pugh "You can undo in five seconds, the training it took you five years to accomplish." Wyman E. Bennett

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