learning to do sitting trot for dressage on a very bouncy horsey?!

when u find the secret let me know!!! i try to breathe really deeply to keep me relaxed and stop bouncing as much but am just investing in dressage saddle to help my position (i like short stirrups!!!). guess its just practice (grr!)
 
Lunge lessons. Endless amounts of them. Seriously
tongue.gif
 
have found a sticky saddle spray that pretty much glues you to the saddle!! however if u use too much then u can't get off!!!!
 
[ QUOTE ]
have found a sticky saddle spray that pretty much glues you to the saddle!! however if u use too much then u can't get off!!!!

[/ QUOTE ]


WOW!
What is it .. I want some!
 

Don't know. I found it really easy t learn to rise to the trot & found that to do sitting trot, if you dropped your weight onto your seatbones slightly, or until you felt secure. The problem is with that is some horses think the shift in weight means to halt
crazy.gif


Not sure if it's textbook or 'correct' but it worked for me sometimes.
 
Yes your right Jacks Mum, that is due to my fab ability at staying on whilst said horse is throwing itself around.... however sitting trot is a completely different world for me!! Only need the spray for one horse, can sit to all the others!!!
grin.gif
 
What I find helps is if you start off with a very gentle not really going anywhere trot and aim for say 5 strides sitting then back to walk. Then try 10 strides and carry on increasing the amount until you can keep going. That way you don't have too much to contend with at once. Break it down. I also find that if you're still having trouble use one hand to pull yourself into the saddle just until you get used to the swing of the horses back and the feeling it gives you. Once that's all mastered you can up the tempo a bit and you'll find it all comes naturally. It's like learning anything, break it down into managable chunks. Remember to keep the small of your back and your tummy soft and flexible. Kind of get the feeling that your seat is coming up to meet your top half and your lower back is the shock absorber in the middle. Don't know if that makes sense...
smile.gif


X
 
when mastering sitting trot you need to rock your pelvis side to side with the horse's at the same time, its a bit like walking down a catwalk with high stiletto's on doing 'the model walk' it really helps with absorbing the horses movement, the bigger the trot the more exagerated your movement should be but don't make the mistake of collapsing your hips! try it and see if it helps!
 
I used to have a horse with a horribly bouncy trot - and I never could sit to it. Until one day I changed his saddle to a dressage saddle with a really nice deep seat - and low and behold - I could manage to do sitting trot on him!! Not only that - but we looked almost elegant!!!

Definitely little and often practice though.
 
I had a instructor who I had lessons with once a week for a couple of years and I never had stirrups! Try having a "Wobbly Tum" as she referred to it. You can practice sitting in a chair. Keeping your back straight and upright use your stomach muscles to push your belly button in and out. This then acts as a shock absorber. The rest of your body shouldn't move. It's tough to get a handle on, but I rode with a friend who I haven't ridden with in years the other day and she was amazed at the improvement in my sitting trot. Also if you ride enough you might even get a six pack!
Sorry if that makes no sense it's difficult to explain.
 
Have a go without stirrups (until you get your dressage saddle), also practice whilst being lunged, sing aloud to help you breathe otherwise you kinda find you are holding your breath, which makes you tense! I am liking the sound of sticky spray... Good luck!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top