How to Post the Trot: Part 1
- September 9, 2016
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- Jenn Zeller
Posted in: Featured, Horse Training, Ranch Life
This subject has been talked about before, but this time, we’ve made a handy little video. My friend, Abby, was at the ranch the past two weeks. I’ve needed some help with this video so she agreed to be the model, while I filmed and talked through it!
Back in the day, like, in the days of warfare done horseback, the cavalry used to post a certain amount of miles one way; then switch to the other diagonal. It helps balance out the horse’s backs, plus keeps them balanced from a muscular standpoint as well.
You’ll have to pardon the choppiness of the video because someone me is a photo hog, and I kept running out of space on my device. Embarrassing, I know.
Isaac Johnson posts the trot on the right diagonal. He’s sitting the stride where the left front is forward.
Isaac Johnson posts the trot on the right diagonal. He’s rising as the right front comes forward.
Abby has spent a great deal of her time showing hunt-seat horses, so she was perfect candidate to show you how this should look.
The first in this two-part series simply explains the importance of posting the trot, showing you how to do it, and why you need to do it to be an effective partner to your horse. Not posting the trot correctly can adversely affect your ability to pick up the correct lead, and it negatively affects your horse’s balance.
A couple things to note — you want to allow the inside hind to push you up. Since the trot is a two-beat gate the horse has the opposite foot forward at the same time. So if you’re riding the left diagonal, you’re out of the saddle with the left front and right hind (both forward feet). Let that right hind push you up. It’s a good symbiosis if you will. You’re helping your horse stay balanced and he’s helping you stay out of his way because your timing is good!
Happy Trails!
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Posted in: Featured, Horse Training, Ranch Life
About Jenn Zeller
Jenn Zeller is the creative mind and boss lady behind The South Dakota Cowgirl. She is an aspiring horsewoman, photographer, brilliant social media strategist and lover of all things western. After a brief career in the investment world to support her horse habit (and satisfy her...