Canter to trot transition without stirrups- help!

[LauraBR]

I have been working like a trooper on my position. I've gone right back to basics

Confiscated my stirrups for flatwork, doing my cross trainer every night to strengthen my legs, and doing lots of different exercises in and out of the saddle to improve my seat, balance and lower leg position...

Now... my trot without stirrups is coming on in leaps and bounds- tonight my hips were really flowing even at a fast bouncy trot, leg more and more secure but relaxed... I'm even getting the feel of his back coming right up under me and controlling tempo with my seat.

Canter without stirrups is nice and balanced too most of the time.

BUT grrr when we make the transition down to trot from canter it all goes horribly wrong... I bounce all over the place, try to sit deep but end up gripping (my leg muscles have mind of their own) and occassionally nearly fall off!

SOOOO bouncy and then because I'm trying to relax and sit deep on my seatbones to absorb the movement I end up accidently sending him forwards with my seat so we end up in a right pickle

I added a balancing strap to my saddle today to try and pull myself down into the saddle when I start to stiffen and bounce but it seems to have made things worse, perhaps I'm using muscles to hold myself down with the strap that don't help.

Any advice appreciated

 

[JustKickOn]

i used to have that problem...

relax your lower back ubut maintain your position, sit firmly but don't grip with your seatbones (if you get what i mean) and then sqeeze on the reins and say wooooooooah, and hopefully the transition should be smoothe. thats what works for me anyway (did it on a very bouncy 16hh TB x !! worked like umm... magic??

)

 

[_jetset_]

This post made me laugh... only because tonight I decided it was time to learn to sit to Grace's big bouncy trot! So, the stirrups were crossed over and off we went. I am now aching beyond belief and my husband is killing himself laughing at me!

I just try to relax as much as possibly when coming out of canter, as by tensing you will bounce more. Push your hips forwards a bit (arching your back seems to help) and breath out as you come down to trot and let your legs just hang. One way I find helps is to take my knee away from the saddle.

 

[lexiedhb]

I was always told to just "think" trot and your body/seat give the signals to do so and so you stay relaxed, without thinking "ok, gonna ask for trot in a minute, oh its gonna be bouncy, might fall off" as by doing this you automatically tense, hence more bounce!

 

[harvgj19]

Have you tried the downwards transition with your eyes shut?

Sounds stupid I know, but really helps me to relax. Like lexiedhb says, close your eyes and "think" trot. Try not to hang on to your reins and pull him into trot, try to slow him with your seat.

 

[icestationzebra]

Ok, I know this sounds mental.... but set yourself up for the downwards transition by making a half halt to rebalance then just before you ask for trot shut your eyes. I know it sounds nuts but it focuses you totally on the movement. I sometimes do this in all paces to really get the 'feel'. Not sure why but I find my eyes quite distracting

Wouldn't want to be without them though

*Slopes of to see if there are any spaces in the nut house*

 

[seabiscuit]

To be able to do this well you'd need strong core stability- that is the stability and strength of the inner stomach/abdominal muscles. Not the exterior muscles, but the inside muscles...that is where strength, posture and balance comes from...
Would do lots of Pilates classes or get a book on Pilates, and get one of those large rubber balls to practise balancing on, you'd be amazed at the difference, makes your balance 10 times better and therefore all sorts of riding exercises are much easier.

 

[LauraBR]

Thanks everyone for all the advice...

Have tried the 'relaxed' approach and had no joy... I bounce the same way as I do when I totally relax on him trotting and I get too relaxed and get thrown up in the air

Every other aspect of my stirrup free regime is going really well, I can feel my seat get stronger and stronger every day. Tonight I was working in trot with my legs in the position they would be in for jumping- I have the strength now to school like this and do rising trot so I'm pleased. Tried the canter trot transition in 'jumping' mode and actually it was a lot better so I think I know what you mean Forrest re the muscles.

Have to prop my legs up over my pommel every now and again for a stretch! Knackers your legs!

Getting there though... determined to be able to jump 2ft stirrup free before I go back to concentrating on 'normal' stuff

Hubbie has one of those balls- any exercises you can suggest Forrest?