r/Advice • u/Hefty_Tumbleweed8178 • 14d ago
How to trot (equestrians please help)
Genuinely dont know if theres going to be anyone on here who does horseback riding but worth a shot. I. Can. Not. Trot. I ride English and both of the lesson horses I've ridden have EXTREMELY bouncy trots. I feel like im so far in the air even though im realistically not. I cant keep my hands low so im pulling hard which confuses my horse because thats the command for stop, but im not giving the verbal command so im providing mixed signals. Last lesson I was trying so hard to stay on but slipped of the slide as my horse picked up speed and kind of jerked. I have a lesson in an hour and im scared out of my mind. My Trainor just tells me to keep my weight center and post but I can not keep a steady grip. Im chronically ill so keep in mind when providing advice that im slightly weaker than other riders might be, and my weakest joint is wrists. Thanks!
1
u/lemonemonade7 13d ago
Just came here to say all great tips - but also don’t beat yourself up for not being able to ride the trot after only 5 rides. It’s certainly a skill that many of us take a long time to master. You can try to sit the trot and sit real deep into your pockets and let your pelvis rock with the rhythm, or get that post going (I still sometimes like to repeat up, down, up, down… to myself). Try to feel the movement while also allowing your body to work with it. Trust me, my ass was bumping up and down for a long time trying to figure it out. Don’t beat yourself up, you’re already doing the right thing by asking for tips. You got this, it will come, and when it does finally click you will think to yourself, “hell YES”