How would you explain trot?

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igglepop

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The guy who own the horse i share wants to ride tomorrow and has said he want to trot (very much a beginner gf brought horse). What would you say he needs to know, I'm not a teacher but for some strange reason he trust me to help. I have no idea how to explain what he needs to do, i can trot not sure of how i do it if that makes sense (you may remember my post on keeping feet in correct position in stirrups). All i can think so far is heels down, look up and put him on lead rein for first few attempts.

ps no he will not pay a teacher but i am trying.
 
I'd start by explaining that trot is a two time gait and that the horses legs move in diagonal pairs.

Then explain that you can either sit to the trot or rise to the trot.

I'd suggest that he starts off sitting to the trot.
I usually start people off with short trots on the long side of the school.
Explain about absorbing the movement of the trot. It's also useful to get them to count out loud in time with the horses movements " one!, two! " etc.
( this also makes sure that they breath!!!)
I get them to hold the front of the saddle with one hand for the first trot and keep them on the lead rein until they have enough balance and control to steer and stop!


Rising trot can be practised at halt and then walk before moving onto trot.
 
I used to say that the horse will chuck your bum up for you, it's your job to control it a bit then to sit down gently :) over simplistic yes but it seemed to work for total beginners, that and shouting up, down, up, down like a loon and getting very over excited when they got it right :)

Oh, and you may have to let him know he doesn't stand straight up, another common beginner mistake, let him know it needs to be more of a thrust forward, up and down. Explaining that to gents was a bit more tricky ;)
 
lula said:
if he's serious about learning to ride he really should.
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He wants to hack out so gf is happy, so really needs to know basics only. I don't think he would own a horse if it wasn't for her. To be fair all they want to do hacking is walk but i said i think that he really needs all 3 gaits. This is only his 4th time on in a year so we are taking baby steps.

I am hoping that if i time my lesson for when he is around he may think they look fun and book a few.
 
Tell him that the more relaxed that he allows his body to become, the less he will bounce out of the saddle.

Let his first trot be no more than 4 strides towards the end of the school, so If the horse become upset you have a chance of stoppingit doing the wall of death around the arena.
 
Can you lunge him? I think that's the easiest way to teach trot, as you can both control the horse and watch the rider. For the first trot, I would say get him to hold the saddle, thinking about sitting deeply, but also being relaxed.

I have been assisting at a riding school over the summer, and rising trot really is a hard thing to explain. I would start off with sitting trot, and trying to get him to feel the movement, then practising standing and sitting in the stirrups at a halt. It may take him a few sessions to get the idea, this is normal, and don't let him be discouraged.

Also, when he can rise consistently, think about teaching him about rising on the correct diagonal. I find it amazing when people who have ridden for 2-3 years don't know about this!
 
igglepop said:
If i explain it like that there is a strong chance he will fall of horse laughing at me lol. Will have to word tactfully.
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:D In out , in out, shake it all about. :) the laughing will help him relax. whereas if he tries up down up down, he'll be going up, down ouch:eek: its really more like pelvic thrust :) oh you will have such fun.:D
 
TrasaM said:
:D In out , in out, shake it all about. :) the laughing will help him relax. whereas if he try's up down up down, he'll be going up, down ouch:eek: its really more like pelvic thrust :) oh you will have such fun.:D
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ok to add to your mental picture of me having fun explaining it, im 22 and he is a grandad....

Ps thanks for all advice
 
i think the up, down thing is fine for complete beginners....then as they get the hang of it they can learn to 'rise lower,rise slower' ;)

then as they progress a bit more I like 'rise and fall with the outside wall' for remembering diagonals before they learn to 'feel' it...
 
So it's completely fine for them to thump around on a horses back until they get the hang of it?? The horse's movement is forward and back, if a rider is going up and down then they will be out of sync.
 
I would show him first if you can? Whilst trotting you say 'up, down, up, down' but show him and explain what you mean.

I think the up, down, up, down is just really for a rhythm for beginners to use, not actually being technical!

I agree it would really help him to have a few lessons, it doesn't have to be a fantastic instructor, just someone you know that is experienced and can teach :)
 
Definitely will show him first, it is a real shame that he wont have lessons but hopefully in time he will. I get the feeling something happened that made him stop riding as he used to walk out a lot before i started riding and when i started they were not well behaved.
 
Broke_But_Happy said:
So it's completely fine for them to thump around on a horses back until they get the hang of it?? The horse's movement is forward and back, if a rider is going up and down then they will be out of sync.
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who said that it was ok to thump up & down on a horses back?

agree with muckypony, its just a way to encourage rythym to a beginner. I think it would confusing for them to say forwards, back! :D I think its beneficial for a new rider to try rising into their stirrups at halt then at walk just so the get the feeling on coming off the saddle as the horse is moving underneath them :)
 
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There is a really good video on YouTube if you search rising trot it's the heather Moffat simulator one (the channel is called enlighteneduk). Because it's on a simulator you can actually see the movement a lot better and she pushes the rider about to demonstrate how you should balance etc, I found it useful to make my crap trotting better!
 
mandwhy said:
There is a really good video on YouTube if you search rising trot it's the heather Moffat simulator one (the channel is called enlighteneduk). Because it's on a simulator you can actually see the movement a lot better and she pushes the rider about to demonstrate how you should balance etc, I found it useful to make my crap trotting better!
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[youtube]6WfEjdk0gKs[/youtube]
 
Well after all it is called rising trot, not thrusting trot! :p

Someone over here (US) just posted asking if in the UK people rise on the opposite diagonal, i.e., up (or forward) with the inside fore instead of with the outside fore.

Surely it's done the same way in both countries?
 
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