Posting trot HORRENDOUS!

[thecolorcoal]

Hi everyone,

I am not a dressage rider but since this has to do with flatwork, and dressage people are more than pros at this, I am asking my question here.

My new 6 y/o OTTB mare was trained in western 3 years. I went to get her yesterday and worked on the posting trot during my pre-purchase riding test and she has NO idea what that is.

Every time I try and post she gets all clunky with her trot and starts shuffling in confusion. How can I help teach her NOT to get frustrated at this new way of going? I know to push her forward and I know it’s just going to take practice, but do dressage riders know any other methods that might help?

Thanks!

[ThreeFigs]

The first thing that came to mind is this:

Sit the trot most of the time to start. Now and then post a stride, but keep going at trot. If she handles that OK, try posting two or three strides in a row, but keep going.

Gradually she’ll figure it out.

[Graymaresrule]

I would set up some ground poles, maybe 3 to start, a d sit until you get to them, post through them and sit when she started to get uneven.

[ToN_Farm]

I find this odd. If a rider has good balance, knows how to post, and doesn’t interfere with their reins, it shouldn’t happen.

Is this a green rider on a green horse with no trainer help? That’s what I’m thinking.

[Pocket_Pony]

[QUOTE=carolprudm;8682389]
I would set up some ground poles, maybe 3 to start, a d sit until you get to them, post through them and sit when she started to get uneven.[/QUOTE]

If the horse is clunky and shuffling, I would not add ground poles to the equation - too much too fast. IIRC, OP you have this horse on trial for a week?
When I got my mustang, he didn’t know how to handle posting and since he was comfortable, I sat for a long time. I think that the posting might have made him feel off balance or made him think that I was off balance or something. Eventually I started posting and it wasn’t a problem and now I post or sit as needed.

My pony has less than 30 rides on her. The first time I trotted, I tried posting and she was a bit confused, so I sat (mind you, the first time trotting was just a few steps, not a long trot or lots of circles). The second ride I did a mix of posting and sitting. The third ride I was exclusively posting.

I would wonder about a 6-year-old horse that has been under saddle for three years but doesn’t understand posting. People who ride western post the trot, so unless the horse has a trot like a still lake, she should have had someone do the posting trot on her before now.

I would keep this in the back of my mind as a possible red flag for either previous training or the horse’s soundness. You had mentioned in another topic that she’s been through four owners so far? That’s a lot for a 6-year-old horse. Please don’t get too excited and really honestly evaluate this horse during your trial. Please also listen to your trainer’s advice.

It is a heck of a lot easier to buy a horse than to sell one.

[stryder]

She’s likely a saint, accustomed to getting herself under an unbalanced rider. As said above, sit the trot and rise once every few strides, then twice, then add a stride. Rise smaller than you think you need to.

[atlatl]

Are you posting off your legs or using your hands for balance? I would be astonished that an OTTB would have never been exposed to posting trot.

[BigMama1]

This really sounds off to me - I would be very concerned about soundness / injury / pain somewhere if you are getting this reaction. It’s hard to believe a horse of this age has never been exposed to posting trot and that it’s causing this much of an issue. Do you have a skilled trainer / coach? What does she / he say?

[NoSuchPerson]

[QUOTE=atlatl;8682549]
I would be astonished that an OTTB would have never been exposed to posting trot.[/QUOTE]

Ditto. If she came off the track, she is definitely familiar with a posting trot.

What does she do if you get into two point or half seat?

[JLR1]

I’m not really familiar with western trained horses…but from what I’ve seen the riders don’t post much…it seems possible to me this is unfamiliar to her since she has 3 years western training. Are you asking her to move more forward like an English horse when you post or is she doing a slow jog/trot? I’m guessing either way…posting a slow trot (jog?) or moving her more forward in the trot than she is accustomed to would have her feeling off balance.

This is interesting to me, and now that I think back when I got a greenbroke Arabian mare she didn’t like me posting either at first…she got nervous and “wobbly” is the only word I can think of for what it felt like. The key for me was to really get her moving forward and to stay out of her way as much as possible while she found her balance. It didn’t take long for her to figure it out. Just like pedaling a bike…with more momentum staying balanced is easy.

[atlatl]

[QUOTE=JLR1;8682646]
I’m not really familiar with western trained horses…but from what I’ve seen the riders don’t post much…[/QUOTE]

I’m pretty familiar with western trained horses, did the AQHA all around for years, and believe me when I say there is plenty of posting going on in Western saddles, especially on babies. Since the horse in question is off the track, posting certainly should come as no surprise.

The key for me was to really get her moving forward and to stay out of her way as much as possible while she found her balance. It didn’t take long for her to figure it out. Just like pedaling a bike…with more momentum staying balanced is easy.

My experience is different, momentum is not always your friend. More unbalanced momentum results in more unbalanced running and scrambling.

ETA: for what it’s worth, I have consistently seen horses with any of western, hunt seat or dressage training slow down if the rider is unbalanced. They are incredibly generous and kind that way.

[CFFarm]

The posting trot should HELP the horse with rhythm and tempo. If she’s shuffling she’s probably not connected to the rider. The rider needs to remember to drive from behind and not let her plod around on the forehand.

[lorilu]

The 14 yo Luso I just bought was ridden western. He was very concerned when we started posting due to the balance change as the rider rises and sits. We started slow as suggested above. He was happiest when I kept most weight in the stirrups - “rising off my feet” - not correct, but necessary at the moment. 6 months later all is well.
Besides that, be sure you are not rising too far forward (as a hunt seat rider might). Keep your post low (a WP horse is probably not giving you much push off the saddle anyway).