Extended Trot - little help please

[SouthWestWhippet]

Very excited as I found the 'extended trot' button last night. I knew it was there as we've had a few excited 'going up hill on the way home' moments (

) but I hadn't been able to achieve in the school up until last night. However, we managed it several times on each rein, just to prove it was no fluke!

However, quick question here... I am asking by collecting the trot round the corners, then on the long side softening my hands and rising big and high and putting my leg on - half halting a little if I feel that I'm about to get canter. When she hits extended trot I can feel the 'lift and swing' underneath me but the movement is so huge that I start to lose my balance, tip forward and my feet wobble in the stirrups - it is like I can't rise so high and still control my muscles in this big movement. Obviously this isnt ideal for inspiring confidence in my ponio.

Any tips for me on staying balanced in this new gait? And how on earth do dressage riders SIT to that?

 

[not_with_it]

Put a balancing strap on the front of your saddle and grab it when you feel your starting to wobble. In my last lesson I had to sit to it and my mare just flies. I had to pull myself down into the saddle and feel what muscles I had to use. Once I got the hang of it I could start to let go and go with the horse.

It does get easier once you build up the correct muscles.

 

[GlamourDol]

SIt to it! Will be far easier to control her balance and rythm as wel as yours!
WHen you feel she is beginning to run on, sit her back, you want to push forwards get say half a side of extension then bring her back to collected for a couple of strides and then push on, not only wil this keep her listening, it will also keep her engaged and off her forehand! This also gives you time to stay with her, and not push her out of rythm.
Yup, thats right collect on the corner, but make sure she is really underneath you, think of bringing back into a little passage, obv not that much but thats the feel you want. and then you are set up.
With the slightly less experienced horses i also put in a ten mtr circle at the beginingg and the end. This wil get her sitting back!
Same thing in the canter.
Have fun!!
x

 

[SouthWestWhippet]

many thanks for the advice... will put it into practice next schooling session (treated ourselves to a nice hack out today

)

I've been meaning to get a balance strap (ok, a piece of bailer twine if I'm honest) for ages so will definately try this!