Sitting Trot

[Sarah]

hello!

i think this is a bit of a numpty question that has come about from too much thinking (which is usually my worst enemy when riding).

In walk, when absorbing the horse's movement, my right hip is moved forwards when the horse's right hip comes forwards (or at least feels like it is as the oh is coming off the ground).  In sitting trot I am assuming that the timing is the same, ie i tip my right seatbone forwards as i feel the oh coming off the ground.

I think that is right, please correct me if i am starting from the wrong point!

Where I then get confused is here.  Your 'unclassical' way of being taught rising trot is to watch the outside shoulder and move forwards when that moves forwards.  If you are trying to co-ordinate your sitting trot to the horse's shoulders (due to your horse having a massive movement and you not being very well co-ordinated!), would you be trying to be in 'antiphase' with the shoulder - ie as the oh shoulder moves back, your right seatbone is being rocked forwards?  Is that the right phaisn or am i out by 180 degrees?

I am asking this as i am just wondering if I have been moving the wrong seatbone at the wrong time for the last few years...

I hope I have totally tied everyone up in knots with this post, if someone could unravel me it would be very much appreciated!

bye!

[Cobstar]

Hi Sarah

Hmm much easier to feel this than to try and explain - but here goes.
As you feel your hip drop the horse is stepping under with the hindleg on that side, you will feel your hip rise as the hindleg strikes the ground.

Trot is two-time.  It's conventional to sit as the outside foreleg hits the ground - ie inside hind will be striking ground at same time - or outside hind will be off the ground.  I find it easiest to pick up the sit phase of rising trot by sitting as I feel the horse's outside hind come under - ie my outside hip/seatbone drops.  But experiment and find out what works best for you - you may find it easier to feel when the hindleg strikes the ground.  

[Sarah]

hmm, thanks for that.

I guess my problem is that Tango has SO much movement (when Heather rode her 3 yrs ago she said she had more movement than Ringo in her back!), that if I start to sit and don't get it right straight off then I get that lovely liver/lungs jumbly feeling!

When i say  that I feel my seatbone being pushed forward, that is when the seatbone is dropping, ie that hind leg is coming under.  i suppose that my problem is taht as there is so much movement to feel, it is actually very hard to feel it if you get what I mean (or maybe i am being silly).

I guess I should be rocking forwards on the seatbone at the same time that my seat is dipping, is that the right timing?  That would corespond to the shoulder coming back on that side would it?

Sarah

[Cobstar]

Hi Sarah

I think it's the scientist in you making you analyse everything too much and try too hard.  Stop worrying and try and let your seatbones/hips feel what's going on rather than letting your brain try to analyse what is happening under your butt.  I can't do it either when I let my brain take over and think rather than feel - cos then I have to think and wait for the message to go back to my brain rather than getting a sort of reflex reaction going.  

I'm very much more tuned in to what my left seatbone is doing - and often use this one to pick up what's happening on both reins.  Last time I had a session on Heather's simulator I was beginning to be able to tap into both seatbones but not having ridden for a while I may have to go back to square one on that.

I think everyone describes the way they feel similar things slightly differently.  For me it works best to feel whether my seatbone is rising and falling and then let the movement of the horse take the small of my back in and let it return to the vertical.

Once Carrie's back in work you're welcome to come and have a play on her.  Planning to put a saddle on her and do a couple of short sessions this weekend.  

Oh boy - I wish I had a simulator at home to use with and to sit and work through some of these descriptive things.  We'll have to get Pete and Heather on to the home versions of those once the new saddle is rolled out.

[Sarah]

hello!

I think you are right, I am too much of an engineer (sandal socks here I come)!

Thanks for your help, i'll just try to stop worrying and get on with havign fun!

Have fun with Carrie this weekend, do report back on how she goes after her long break!

bye!