I think that there are some big movers that are easier to sit than others. Sometimes it is based on how they use themselves and how “through” they really are.
At the moment I am riding two extremes; my KWPN gelding who is fairly green and a big mover, and then a PRE stallion who is smoother than butter and very well educated.
I like riding the stallion a few days a week because I can focus more on myself and get the feel of things on him since he has a lot more training. I can easily sit his extended trot, but I do feel it in my core! Most of the time I don’t post on this horse because he is so comfortable it is almost easier to sit. On my horse, I can post his trot just fine, even when it is extended but I feel like a hot mess sometimes when I sit his trot. I can sit his slow trot, but working trot and extended trot are a work in progress. It is getting better as I’ve been practicing more, and he’s getting more through, balanced, and true to the aids. He can really produce some power from his hind-end and just float. I watched a trainer ride him (she has MUCH longer legs than me) and she was able to really bring out his movement because she could wrap her long legs around him and sit deep. He can practically float over the ground at the trot and canter if done correctly. He gets a lot of “air time” if that makes sense. He does make you work for it a bit, and even the trainer was quite exhausted after riding him because it takes great strength to sit him while still keeping him forward, collected, and attentive. So, I felt better knowing I am not the only one that gets out of breath after schooling him :lol:
My gelding isn’t exactly ammy friendly for reasons other than his movement, but if I just look at his movement alone, I could see why it could kill someone’s fantasy of becoming an upper level dressage rider. It takes a lot of work, strength, and commitment to ride him. If someone went from the PRE horse I ride directly to my horse, they’d probably hate their life :winkgrin: However, if you take stepping stones to get there, it’s not so bad. I think that is the key. Take stepping stones, be willing to work, and do not go from a smooth low movement horse to a big mover and expect to be able to sit the same way overnight. I have had my husband lunge me on my horse so I could focus on just learning how to sit him and really use my seat. It was also easier because he is so good on the lunge and I didn’t have to worry about any shenanigans and could focus purely on riding the gait. I think that can help some riders because they can narrow in on riding the gait without worrying about steering and other things while the person on the ground coaches you along.
