Rising trot troubles

[Tabs34]

Hi all

I've recently come to back riding after many years away and I feel as though I am starting completely from scratch. In particular i am throwing myself up as I rise and tensing my shoulders. My heel position requires work. What's hard is am aware of what I should be doing, but cant seem to consistently put it to practice. I find if I dont think about it, or am on a particularly awkward horse that requires thinking about something other than my position I can somehow manage to rise tidily and in time, but if I think I am going to get it wrong I do!!

I know I have to work on my balance and core muscles. My fitness does need work,and i think because I have previously worked in a job where upper body
Strength was a must I have got used to relying on that if that makes sense?

I am having 2 lessons a month currently.

How can I retrain myself to stop lifting my shoulders and relax? The more I think I am going to get it wrong, the more I do!!

 

[Carlosmum]

Why not have a lunge lesson, that way you can concentrate entirely on yourself & not worry about the horse

 

[JillA]

Stop trying too hard!! Let the horse's movement shove you forward then just sit again. Forget trying to rise, just let it happen, forward rather than up. Soften your back as much as you can and don't let your shoulders slump forward, so you can sit to the trot if you miss a beat without bouncing around. Think soft and fluid rather than sit up straight, it will come.

 

[Tabs34]

Thank you both. Id definitely look at a lunge lesson, and I think you are right JillA I need to just stopping trying too hard and relax. Iam going to take your advice to try and just let the rise happen and see how I get on.

 

[JillA]

Let us know how it goes