Learning to sit to a 'big' trot

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MillionDollar

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What you suggest would be the best way to learn how to sit to a horse with a big trot?

I acquired a 4yo Welsh D, Victor, last July, who had done nothing except drive for 6 months and then hacked with a novice. The result being he was the laziest horse EVER (think 5 pony club kicks just to get him into walk, haha) and he couldn't even canter. I hardly did anything with him last summer, but now I'm thinking that hopefully by June I'll be registering him BD. He has amazing paces.........only realised this when about 10 of my liveries (including a BHSI who competes Advanced Medium said she wanted to buy him) said so
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Puts a bit of pressure on.

Anyway said BHSI livery gives group lessons at the weekend, which are fab, and we do many exercies to get our horses moving from behind, etc and some exercies need to be done in sitting trot to get the best out of them. Well I just feel awful when I do sitting trot on him! I really do
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I just feel like I'm bouncing so high. He really does go 'up' in the trot, his hock movement is pretty impressive.

So any help will be MUCH appreciated!!!

So sorry to waffle on!
 
Hi, i too have a welsh D (who has the characteristic big trot), he is successfully competing elementary at moment. Try going to pilates/yoga to build up your inner core muscles. I have always liked to sit and not had too much trouble but could def tell the inprovements having been to a 6wk pilates session (1hr each week - then i keep doing exercises at home).

Do you ride in a dressage saddle? Deep seat and knee blocks may help, as long as you don't brace against them.

Good luck
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Sorry cant offer any advice but just to let you know you are not alone. I have terrible trouble trying to sit to my friesian mares trot. Its like learning to ride again, will watch with interest to see if I can pick up any tips.
 
I used to do lots with no stirrups and had a piece of string tied from the 2 D rings that i could put my little fingers in without moving my hands. Helped my seat and hands!!
 
Take your stirrups away!!

I have a huge horse (well, I'm 5ft4 and he's just short of 17.1hh so huge to me!) who has quite a big trot. I had a series of lunge lessons before Xmas and instructor sent me away with homework to ride without stirrups every time I schooled for a week. Just when I had got the hang of him, I went and bought a dressage saddle...now he's realised he can really use himself, and with all the work we've been doing getting him more supple and forwards, his trot is now huge and I'm back to square 1! I try to ride without stirrups once a week, even if it's just for 10 mins.

It really helps, promise!
 
Have you got any Mechanical Horses near you? Might be worth a try, I didn't find it particularly huge moving, but I have a friend who did.

Then you have don't have to worry about anything except sitting right - the "horse" will react if you kick or pull accidently by changing paces, but that's it, and "I think" you can set it to not react at all.
 
Driving horses often have big trots I think. I find Pip very hard to sit to, which is embarassing really!
I ride him for a while each ride without stirrups, I end up doing walk-canter transitions as releif though
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! I havn't really cracked it though TBH, so good luck!
 
Thanks all, I think it really is going to be hard work to learn to sit to him.

Right I shall get my sister on the end of the lunge tomorrow, so I don't have to worry about controlling him. Shall let you know how we get on.
 
I'm the same with my D. I can't sit at all - just bounce all over the place.

I'll also try the balance strap and no stirrups.

Headache and [stomach] stitch here we come!
 
Second the "no stirrups" idea. Really focus on keeping your thighs relaxed and long, and allow your lower back to swing (the Germans constantly refer to "schwingendes Kreuz" for sitting trot, but I've never heard an English speaker talk about it). I think avoiding stiffness/tension in your lower back is the hardest part.
 
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