How to trot?

by Amber
(USA)

So sorry, I feel like a wimp right now, but will someone please explain to me how to trot?

I mean, I know you're supposed to rise up out of the saddle for one beat, and go back down for another, but how do you know when to go up/down??

Thanks!

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How to trot?

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May 14, 2012
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starstarstarstarstar 		it takes pratice
by: englishrider4life

posting can be tricky, and you don't have to do it, you can sit the trot, but mostly just keep posting, and you'll start having the correct rhythm soon.
May 14, 2012
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by: Hanna

http://horses.about.com/od/learntoride/ht/postthetrot.htm

This is a page that you can read. But the trot was a hard thing to master but the thing that helped me was remembering the trot is a 2 beat gait so Count in your head 1 (down) 2 (up)It is difficult! It really is all in the rhythm of the beat. You have to listen and feel the 1-2-1-2-1-2 of the trot. Rise with the shoulder. You can practice while sitting a regular chair to get the beat down. If you have a metronome, that's great. Or just imagine a beat of 1-2-1-2-1-2-1-2. Then, rise at 1, drop at 2, rise at 1, drop at 2. Up-down-up-down-up-down. I have to admit, posting is a lot easier for musically inclined riders because of the beat of the trot, but you'll get it down! Try sitting the trot and HEARING/feeling the beats. 1-2-1-2. Then, as you practiced at home on your chair, rise with the shoulder on 1, drop with 2. You need to sync up with the horses natural rhythm. The good news? Once you have your a-ha moment and GET it, you've GOT it! Keep working at it, you'll get it down! You might ask your instructor if they'd mind putting you and the horse on a line so you can just focus on the cadence of the trot and don't have to worry about where you're going?
May 14, 2012
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starstarstarstarstar 		Diagonal
by: Katie

All you have to do is look at your horses shoulder blades. When you see the outside one going forward, that is your cue to rise out of the saddle. It goes like this: outside leg reaches forward, you go up out of the seat, inside leg reaches forward, you sink back into the saddle, Outside, up, inside, down... etc. Don't feel like a wimp! It is hard at first, but you will get used to it. This whole thing is called being on the right Diagonal. Exact opposite when you canter. Then, it is called a lead. You want your horse's inside leg to reach out the farthest, cause if it is not, then you are on the wrong lead. Hope this helps! :)
May 14, 2012
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starstarstarstarstar 		Hi Amber
by: Unicorn

Rising to the trot is super difficult to do and even harder to teach to others! An exercise I like to do before rising trot (you'll need someone to help): First sit on your horse at a halt with your eyes closed, then ask him to walk on. Without opening your eyes, tell your helper which leg he moved first. (Your helper will tell you if you're right or wrong). Try this a few times until you get the feel of it so that you know where his legs are and how he's moving.
Then at the trot you first sit down and relax for a few steps, listening to his hoof beats and getting the rhythm in your head. It sometimes helps to count to yourself along with his hooves: rise on 1, sit on 2. It takes FOREVER to get the hang of this but in my experience one day you'll get on him and suddenly be able to rise to the trot! (Or "post", another name for it.)
Good luck and your riding teacher will be able to help you much better :)
Unicorn
May 15, 2012
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starstarstarstar 		Thanks!!
by: Amber

Thanks everyone, I'll try everything y'all have suggested. :3 Thank you so much for commenting.
May 14, 2012
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starstar 		How to Trot
by: Jasmine

There are 2 beats in a trot, so you will go up the first beat and down the second. If you know what you are doing then it will come more naturally.

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