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Vik1
Platinum Member
1711 Posts |
 Posted - 25 Oct 2012 : 10:01:34 PM
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Does anyone know ways or exercises that can be used to improve sitting trot that doesnt involve actually sitting on the horse.
Im trying to think of ways to improve my sitting trot so when time comes to do it on my youngster Im not doing it that badly that I bounce or really stiffen causing him to stiffen or back off.
I dont have another horse to practice on, so thinking working on my core muscles??
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Pasch
Platinum Member
2277 Posts |
Posted - 25 Oct 2012 : 10:13:15 PM
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I can't remember how young is your youngster and since how long he's been backed but have been told to do very little sitting trot if any on a horse that is young-not enough worked or muscled.Their back should be strong muscle and bone wise to support you without problems.Also,a lot of warming up before you sit.Same goes for canter.
Can't think of exercise without horse as relaxation is more important than muscle strength.Unless you get one of those mechanical horses?Surely very expensive...maybe find a friend who has a calm,comfortable horse and go bareback-or at least stirrup-less! |
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Mrs Vlacq
Platinum Member
Wales
3776 Posts |
Posted - 25 Oct 2012 : 10:34:33 PM
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How about booking a lesson on a simulator with a posture specialist - they can then give you things to work on to strengthen / practice isolating muscles and knowing when you are actually relaxed and working well. Try looking at Centred Riding websites, some good articles there
Also, remember sitting trot is harder when the trot isn't right.... my hunter is still so hard to sit to when he's in 'cheat trot' but get some jumps out and his trot changes and is a doddle to sit to.
Also handy to have someone set you a task - say a little course of poles/small jumps, or movements to ride at certain points - then drop in "oh, and sit after fences 2 and 3" - while you are focussed on other things, sitting becomes more naturally achievable.
ETA: Another good trick is once they are hacking happily, choose a nice straight trot path and rise for 12, sit for 4 - or whatever ratio works for you. |
    
- V Khazad - V Calacirya & V Sulime - Quarida(L) - V Boogie Knights - V Hamra Tofiq |
Edited by - Mrs Vlacq on 26 Oct 2012 8:05:04 PM |
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adja
Bronze Member
97 Posts |
Posted - 26 Oct 2012 : 01:27:22 AM
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Just a suggestion (quite a cheap one) how about trying one of those enormous blue balls people use for core strengthh in the gym/having babies and have a play on that - it's bound to improve strength, mobility and develop balance etc. You also have a choice of sitting astride or with your legs together. Once you've got the hang of it slowly make the exercise more difficult - try raising your arms out in front of you etc I think it'll help to mobilise parts of the body that aren't normally used.
Good luck!
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Edited by - adja on 26 Oct 2012 01:30:38 AM |
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Alyth Long
Bronze Member
New Zealand
88 Posts |
Posted - 26 Oct 2012 : 07:19:57 AM
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| Try Enlightened Equitation - they have a simulator that enables you to perfect your movements before adding them to the horse!! |
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Quarabian
Platinum Member
Wales
4340 Posts |
Posted - 26 Oct 2012 : 09:46:49 AM
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| Don't be afraid to hold the pommel to help stabilise your position if you youngster is a bit bouncy. |
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Pop
Platinum Member
England
3051 Posts |
Posted - 26 Oct 2012 : 09:52:57 AM
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I have an idea .... erm ... but maybe ... erm, perhaps not. Never mind, as you were |
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glo
Gold Member
England
1297 Posts |
Posted - 26 Oct 2012 : 2:56:21 PM
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Do not do any sitting trot with a young horse, they are just not strong enough. If you have to sit, say for canter, only sit for one stride then ask for canter.
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Callisto
Platinum Member
6905 Posts |
Posted - 26 Oct 2012 : 3:00:23 PM
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| Pilates to improve your core muscles? |
  Zahkira (GR Amaretto x Taffetta)
Linda
East Sussex |
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HTR
New Member
12 Posts |
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Vik1
Platinum Member
1711 Posts |
Posted - 26 Oct 2012 : 3:40:57 PM
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Oh no..I wont be doing sitting trot on him til prob even mid next year at earliest, depending on how hes going and itl only be for few strides at first. Im leaving him now til maybe feb time and so I can save up to sort out the saddle problem.
Im just trying to think of ways to help me for when the time comes so I dont make things harder for him. If I start building my core muscles and flexibility now then it gives me plenty time.
Never had a go on a mechanical horse. There is one about an hour from me. Think I would find it very weird, lol. |
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Quarabian
Platinum Member
Wales
4340 Posts |
Posted - 26 Oct 2012 : 4:24:08 PM
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I am a little bit puzzled by your post glo.
You wrote
Do not do any sitting trot with a young horse, they are just not strong enough. If you have to sit, say for canter, only sit for one stride then ask for canter.
Well surely if the youngster isn't ready for sitting trot (which will be a gentle steady trot) then it won't be ready to canter with a rider.
How old is the horse Vik1? perhaps we are all jumping the gun a bit. |
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Vik1
Platinum Member
1711 Posts |
Posted - 26 Oct 2012 : 6:29:29 PM
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hes 3 and half. Backed only a couple of months ago but I stopped because the saddle I have for him isnt a great fit. Looked alright on the ground but obv you cant tell properly until a rider is on board. He only knows the very basics just now ie walk-trot, turn, halt. Im quite happy to leave it at that for now. Im not in a hurry.
I suppose you can make your seat very light in canter whereas in trot its harder for the horse to balance itself and you too, esp if your stiff in the hips. It can cause resistance. |
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Quarabian
Platinum Member
Wales
4340 Posts |
Posted - 26 Oct 2012 : 7:44:36 PM
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You can have a light sitting trot too. If you ride bareback there is no option. Gaining relaxation in your horse is the key, stiffness causes the back to bounce you. If he/she is soft you will be able to sit easily.
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glo
Gold Member
England
1297 Posts |
Posted - 26 Oct 2012 : 9:49:48 PM
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For a young horse the back is the last part of the horse to develop and mature, I think between 4 and 5,the bones set from the ground up, so if you have to ride your horse before the back is mature sitting is not good, as for canter that would be standing in your stirrups as soon as your horse canters, So you would ask for a nice forward going trot (active) sit for 1 stride (asking for canter) then stand at canter.
If your not bothered about your horses back do whatever you like!!
Having broken in 100's of horses (riding out 7/8 a day all types but manly race horses) I do have some experience of this, you can still school and train your horses just don't sit for trot and canter.
The horses were all schooled and worked to a high standard and the ones that were not fast enough would go onto be eventers or show jumpers, we also had horses that had been stated and messed with by inexperienced owners for re-backing and schooling and they where the worst.
Have a lunge lesson with no stirrups is good for seat, trot around and hold on to your ankle ( one leg at a time or you will fall off)have the other hand on your thigh, and do a rising trot without stirrups, relax your back and adsorb the rise and you will have the prefect sitting trot after you can do the rising. |
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Edited by - glo on 26 Oct 2012 9:51:05 PM |
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Quarabian
Platinum Member
Wales
4340 Posts |
Posted - 27 Oct 2012 : 12:06:52 AM
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Glo wrote
If your not bothered about your horses back do whatever you like!!
I am sure we are all concerned about our horses backs glo. That is why I only school mine in walk, the rest is gentle hacking, I start mine at five years now. But I know that will not be the right time for everyone. |
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glo
Gold Member
England
1297 Posts |
Posted - 27 Oct 2012 : 10:06:06 AM
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Not getting at any one, just saying that ignorance is bliss!!!
As I get older some of the things that I have done in the past I would be horrified at now.
I used to work at a Spanish dressage yard!! and the trainer said that s*x with the woman on top, would put you in a good position for sitting trot, bringing the legs back and getting the pelvic in good balance. He probably was right but I thought he was a pervert!!!
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Quarabian
Platinum Member
Wales
4340 Posts |
Posted - 27 Oct 2012 : 12:30:10 PM
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Not getting at any one, just saying that ignorance is bliss!!!
Ahhh steady on glo, now I am ignorant aswell.
But seriously all these things are relative. Sitting trot on a 5 year old cob by a 7 stone rider and maybe rising trot on a 3/4 year old thoroughbred by an 18 stone rider are two completely different things. There are of course all sorts of combinations between these two extremes.
I do take your point about caring for a young horse's back. |
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Pop
Platinum Member
England
3051 Posts |
Posted - 27 Oct 2012 : 12:50:05 PM
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| Oh hek, what did he do?, the pervert Spanish Dressage Trainer? I think there is a change going on and Perverts will not be allowed to get away with it any more. What did he do? |
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Callisto
Platinum Member
6905 Posts |
Posted - 27 Oct 2012 : 1:10:53 PM
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| I think he suggested that sex in a certain position was beneficial Pop, not that he did any thing perverted as such - unless I have misunderstood Glo completely. |
Zahkira (GR Amaretto x Taffetta)
Linda
East Sussex |
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Pop
Platinum Member
England
3051 Posts |
Posted - 27 Oct 2012 : 1:20:13 PM
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Oh, well, sounds like my type of guy then, the position he suggests would certainly be on my 'things to do list' if romance was in the air. I would consider that beneficial in many ways, and if it helps the sitting trot, hey, that's great .
Booking a ticket to Spain as we speak .... and he's a horse man too, ....  |
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Vik1
Platinum Member
1711 Posts |
Posted - 27 Oct 2012 : 2:13:49 PM
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Maybe other positions could get you into the vaulting champs?! |
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Pop
Platinum Member
England
3051 Posts |
Posted - 27 Oct 2012 : 2:20:10 PM
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Vik1 - oh hek, its going to keep me entertained for some time trying to work out what that would be. And, may I take this opportunity to apologise for my exuberance and overly smutty comments. I was very naughty, and I apologise.  |
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glo
Gold Member
England
1297 Posts |
Posted - 27 Oct 2012 : 4:09:02 PM
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I think if I got an offer now, I would jump at the chance (only joking), but as a 16year old virgin its was all to much!!!
As to backs I am not going there the hole I have dug for my self is to deep already. |
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flosskins
Silver Member
345 Posts |
Posted - 28 Oct 2012 : 06:47:06 AM
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| That enlighted equitation looks a brilliant idea, what as shame its so far away! |
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Pop
Platinum Member
England
3051 Posts |
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sitting trot
