PRECARIOUS DOUBLE BOUNCE!!

[ApacheWarrior1]

Hi, had my gorgeous little cob for two years now but I am still struggling to ride him in anything but walk as when we start to trot I suffer awful double bounce and feel totally thrown out of the saddle every stride... its embarrassing - Ive tried a few different saddles (costing me a fortune in the process) ( including treeless) which I loved on previous, but this boy is between sizes but none seem to make a difference...my previous cob was very similar in size and shape and he was so blooming comfortable to ride and I guess after I sadly lost him that next cobby would be the same - not so! I can't sit to the trot at all and have tried keeping myself very low to the saddle but each stride I am flung way up towards his ears - not very stable at all!! Its starting to get me down... help please someone?

 

[SpeedyPony]

Have you tried having lunge lessons? It can be really helpful to have someone else deal with the horse and be able to focus solely on what your seat and balance are doing.
Some do just have really bouncy, ponyish trots, my lad can do a lovely, easy to sit to trot, but if he's at all excited you get the full pony "shatter your teeth" experience and the only thing to do is rise or pop into light seat while steadying him back to something more sensible!

 

[ApacheWarrior1]

Have you tried having lunge lessons? It can be really helpful to have someone else deal with the horse and be able to focus solely on what your seat and balance are doing.
Some do just have really bouncy, ponyish trots, my lad can do a lovely, easy to sit to trot, but if he's at all excited you get the full pony "shatter your teeth" experience and the only thing to do is rise or pop into light seat while steadying him back to something more sensible!

Thank you - I know my previous instructor hated his trot equally but apparently he has the most lovely canter - which I doubt I am ever going to get to experience!!

 

[SpeedyPony]

Thank you - I know my previous instructor hated his trot equally but apparently he has the most lovely canter - which I doubt I am ever going to get to experience!!

If you can comfortably rise to his trot, or maintain a secure light seat, I don't see why you couldn't enjoy taking him for a canter. Obviously not a great idea if he's likely to unseat you on the downward transition though, so depends on how clean his downwards transitions are.
It might be a bit daunting, but no stirrup work is really good for improving your seat, if you can focus on keeping your legs long and seat relaxed it really helps, a lot of the bounce is worsened by trying to counteract it with one's muscles, hard to ignore that instinct, but the difference in position and lack of stirrup to brace against can really help. You'll get there!

 

[ycbm]

Have you tried shortening your stirrups? I find it helps a lot with a trot that's too exuberant.
.

 

[ApacheWarrior1]

If you can comfortably rise to his trot, or maintain a secure light seat, I don't see why you couldn't enjoy taking him for a canter. Obviously not a great idea if he's likely to unseat you on the downward transition though, so depends on how clean his downwards transitions are.
It might be a bit daunting, but no stirrup work is really good for improving your seat, if you can focus on keeping your legs long and seat relaxed it really helps, a lot of the bounce is worsened by trying to counteract it with one's muscles, hard to ignore that instinct, but the difference in position and lack of stirrup to brace against can really help. You'll get there!

I think Im too old for going without stirrups eek!!

 

[SpeedyPony]

I think Im too old for going without stirrups eek!!

Never too old! It's handy to have the practice in case you snap a stirrup out on a ride too- saves walking home!

 

[brighteyes]

Is this a balance or a fitness issue?

 

[planete]

My little cob came to me with the most horrible trot but has improved tremendously with schooling to get him off his forehand and into a decent rhythm. Can you get lessons or somebody to school him for you? I had the same problem when I first rode him, it was so bad I struggled to rise to his trot and sitting trot would have been lethal! He is now stronger and more balanced, has learnt to listen to the aids and we can even do a comfortable sitting trot. Does yours feel any better if trotting uphill? I only trotted up hills to start with as that was bearable.

 

[blitznbobs]

Usually means the horse is not goimg forward... common issue with young horses, takes a lot of core strength to keep balance whilst getting thru the awkward phase

 

[Coblover63]

Is he hollow or lifting his back? That can make a huge difference.