Posting trot is am important skill for riders of all levels to master. Posting the trot correctly allows your horse to properly warm up and use their back without the interference of the rider.
In the posting trot, the rider lets the momentum of the bounce in the horses’ back to lift their bum out of the saddle. The rider supports their weight with their inner thigh and knee and keeps their core tight. Some common mistakes people make when posting to the trot are:
- Hands bouncing up and down while posting
- Lower legs swinging back and forth while posting
- Landing hard and heavy into the saddle (not cushioning the landing)
For riders of all levels, perfecting the posting trot is an important and ongoing skill to work on. Here are some things to consider:
- The lower leg should not move: if you look at the leg from the knee down, you should not be able to tell if the rider is sitting or posting.
- Land softly in the saddle. Think of slowing down the last 10% as you come into the saddle so as not to slap your weight into the horses back.
- Focus on your elbows, bending and straightening slightly as you rise and sit so as not to disturb the contact in your horses’ mouth.
Happy posting!! Work on it this week when your ride!
Amelia
