Why can't I trot?

Question

I've had my second lesson of horse riding so far and I made a complete fool of myself in it. My trianer was trying to teach me how to trot and I just couldn't get it. This may not seem like a question but I just need to write this down somewhere to make me feel better :P. The thing is, it's hard for me to go up and down on the stirrups and kick at the same time. The horse's movement of going up and down is really strong and I just seem to be bouncing around everywhere instead of using my legs. How embarrasing...Does anyone have any tips that could work besides 'practice' cuz I know I have to. I just feel like I don't wanna show my face there again :(

Answer 1

Don't worry its happened to all of us. I'm assuming since you're riding english. This is how I praticed when I was on crutchs because of a pulled tendon. Sit on the couch. Sit as if your on a horse. Gentily go up and down as if your posting. You could really do it in any chair but I pefered a couch because it has a soft bouce and I'm lazy. While going up and down take your heels and tap the couch or legs of the chair.
Its ok to make mistakes thats why your at LESSONS to learn. Once you get over this problem you'll look back and laugh at how you freaked about how you couldn't trot.
I couldn't ride a canter if my life depended on it. My riding instructor took me to his mothers house and made me sit in a rocking chair. He made me rock in the chair and told me to think of cantering like sitting in a rocking chair. Then we went to the barn and I canter great.

Answer 2

Sounds like you are trying to learn how to post during the trot? Well, that takes time and practice and lot's of it. I am curious to know why you have to kick your horse to trot? Simple leg pressure should be all that is needed while getting your horse to respond to go into a trot for you. I would make sure that your stirrups are at the right length for you and that is done by holding your hand against the saddle and seeing if the stirrups just go to your arm pit, if they go further than that is a big problem right there. It takes co-ordination to learn how to post so don't give up and before you know it you will be in sinc with your horse. all the best.

Answer 3

It's only your second lesson so don't worry at all! Because you are learning they should maybe give you a forward going horse to ride so you don't need to kick in trot until you get the hang of things, maybe suggest this to your instructor. I guess you trying to learning rising trot and its all about getting in rhythm with the horses movements. Look down at the horses shoulders and you will see the legs moving, you need to time your rise with this. Its just something you need to get the hang of and one day (hopefully soon!) it will just click! Look at how the other riders are doing and try and put into practise what you see, or try watching some videos people troting and watch the rhythm and the horses legs. Practise makes perfect and don't give up!!!!

Answer 4

I hate to break it to you, but your so-called "trainer" hasn't a clue how to start a rank beginner like you and is jeopardizing your safety.
First of all, you need to establish a secure "seat" at the walk, preferrably with a bareback pad with no reins and on a lunge line until you are secure with your balance and can move with the movement of the horse.
Secondly, your trainer is teaching you a VERY bad habit by having you kick the horse to get it to move. You urge a horse forward by using your seat and subtle leg (using the back portion of your thigh, not by squeezing).
Thirdly, once you start to trot, it should only be a slow trot, not a "posting trot", because you will need to be able to move with the horse and use your body to stay on; not hold your seat by balancing by using your reins for support.
Get away from this quacky trainer and find someone who will take their time and not make a dangerous situation even MORE dangerous. What this one is doing with you is expecting you to swim before you can float-- bad idea.

Answer 5

I'm assuming that you are riding English, correct? And you are attempting to post, right? First of all, ask your trainer if the horse that you are riding has any verbal commands that you can use to move it forward without having to kick with your legs/feet. Secondly, if you are attempting your post at the right time (on the correct diagonal) then you can let the horse do most of the work with his action. Let's say you are walking in the arena, the fence is on your right and you are getting prepared to trot. Watch where your horse's right front foot is and when it goes down to the ground, you should, in your mind, be going down in your saddle...that will help you get your timing correct, so that when you begin your trot, just let your body follow your mind, down with the right front leg, and let your horse, with a little help from you and your stirrups (don't need a lot from your stirrups other than balance) throw you up at the right time, then come back down when that right front leg is on it's way down. Of course, when you are traveling in the opposite direction, you will come down with the horse's left front leg, as it begins it downward motion. If you have your timing right, and don't have to worry about kicking to keep the horse moving forward, it should be much easier for you to accomplish the trot. If the horse doesn't have specific verbal commands, ask your trainer if he/she minds if you cluck or kiss to the horse when you want it to move forward...some people don't want their horses doing this, so ask. If you can get that down, things will be so much easier for you...either that or ask if you can carry a crop and use that instead of kicking.

Answer 6

First, posting comes from your legs not the stirrups. When I was learning to ride, our stirrups and leathers were taken away for the winter, and we had to earn them back in the spring.
My best advice to you, strength training exercises for your legs. Three days a week practice standing lunges. Stand with feet shoulder width apart, tummy pulled in, look straight ahead, hands on hips, or use a chair back for balance in the beginning. With right leg take a step forward bend both knees until the top of your right leg is parallel to the floor, than return to starting position. Do the same for left leg. Start by doing this 8-10 times, rest a minute than repeat. Work your way up to lunging 10 times rest 1 minute and repeat 3 times. As your legs get stronger you can add extra weight be holding dumb bells. Start small, 3 pounds and work up to 5 pounds.
The second exercise is what I call wall squats. First find a rubber ball, no bigger than 6-8 inches wide, and hold it between your knees. Lean your back against a wall and slide down until top of legs are parallel to floor, like sitting in a chair. Hold for 30 seconds and then stand back up. Repeat 3-5 times in the beginning. After about 2 weeks you should notice your legs getting stronger. For the squats you want to work up to holding the squat for 1 minute repeating 5 times.

Your instructor also shouldn't have you trotting yet, you need to learn balance and control at a walk first. Since your instructor has rushed you into a trot on your 2nd lesson, I can only assume they really don't understand training a new/beginner rider. As a beginner, your first month should be spent at a walk, on a lunge line without reins or stirrups learning balance and the horses movement and how to move with the horse. Once you understand this, then you should be introduced to posting, and the best way to learn about posting is at the walk. This is where you get the idea of how it works with the up/down. When you go up your legs will naturally move away from the horses sides, and when you come down they will move back in to the horses sides. This is where your instructor wants you to kick, but think squeeze instead, its easier. It will take a lot of work but its worth it. Remember the only place success comes before work is in the dictionary.

I could go on, but I'll run out of room. I started riding at 5 and was training at a 4 foot level on hunter/jumpers by the time I was 8. I also learned classical dressage and by 12 I was schooling Prix St. George level.

Answer 7

Don't let it worry you. Very few people get it right first time and some horses are more bouncy than others.
I know this is going to sound impossible but try to relax and work with the action of the horse instead of against it.
Once it actually clicks you'll wonder how you found it so difficult !
Don't beat yourself up over it, it was only your second lesson and I really doubt that people thought badly of you. We all have to learn.

Answer 8

horseback riding is difficult sport. I personally don't think your trainer should be pushing you to that level on your second level before you get your aids, posture, and confidence. As for your issue, keep practicing. to get better, you must ride ALOT to increase your skill level. Dont be discouraged if you dont get it the first few times. Try doing a sitting trot to get the motion of the animal, you will feel the up- down beat of the gait. Also try asking to ride a smoother horse more suited to beginners... or try a different riding stable

Answer 9

lol don't worry about it. I'm sure we all have our fair share of stories from when we first started riding. It's only your second lesson. I didn't start trotting until my 3rd lesson, and not posting until my 5th. Trotting is going to seem really bouncy at first and hard to find the rythm. Just think or say "up down, up down, up down" or "1,2 1,2 1,2 1,2" to get the beat. And bring your horse to YOUR speed. Don't try to chase your horse if he's going to fast or try to stay on top when he;s going to slow. Fix his speed so that he stays underneath you.

Also when you post, the trick is to not stand up in your stirrups so much. You want the horse's weight to lightly toss you up out of the saddle, and then you bring your hips forward slightly and you'll be in rythm. As for kicking while posting, you want to squeeze with your legs or kick on every DOWN beat.

Best wishes!
p.s. If you want more help feel free to AIM me at Horse Help 911

Answer 10

Curl your hips under, ride on your tail bone not your *ahem* girl thing. Sit the trott. FEEL the horse's movement push you up? That's when you rise. Let the horse move you.

Worry about the leg mechanics later, try to push your heels down as you rise.

You'll get it when you stop trying so hard and just let it happen.

good luck sweetie, everyone feels a fool at first.