ridecamp@endurance.net: Re: [endurance] How do you ride the trot?

Re: [endurance] How do you ride the trot?

Joe Long (mail.hiwaay.net@HiWAAY.net)
Fri, 25 Aug 1995 10:19:42 -5000

Amy,

Although sometimes I post (sort of -- I'd never win any horse shows),
most of the time I don't. I wouldn't really say that I "stand"
either. I think of it more as "floating" just above the saddle.

The way it works, the horse's back is going up and down (and the
saddle with it). My body is staying at a constant level. Because my
feet move up and down with the horse, my knees flex to absorb the
movement and keep my body level.

If you've ever snow skiied, it's the same technique a good skiier
uses when skiing over moguls. As his feet move up and down over the
bumps, his knees flex to keep his body at a constant level.

I don't find this tiring. Done properly, in balance with the horse,
it doesn't take much muscle effort. As the horse moves down your
legs straighten, and as the horse moves up your legs bend. You're
not pushing your weight back up so it doesn't take a lot of "push."

I do maintain a light contact with the saddle. At the top of the
rise of the horse, I get a light "pat on the butt" by the saddle. If
it's more than a light pat, I'm letting my body fall, and pounding
the horse's back. If there is no contact at all I'm too high (which
will tire me and the horse).

Stirrup length is important -- your knees have to be at the right
angle or you'll wear yourself out (or ruin your knees). You may
have to experiment to find the right length.

Give it a try and see how you like it. Not every technique works for
everyone.

--

Joe Long Rainbow Connection Arabians PC/LAN Manager home of Kahlil Khai Calhoun Com. College AERC Hall of Fame horse jlong@hiwaay.net 11,450 miles completed