Riding without stirrups

[BilyandJack]

I know this post is kind of late as no stirrup November is over, but I’m doing no stirrup December I suppose

I can walk, do a sitting trot, canter and jump a small course without stirrups. My problem is the posting trot. When I try to post the trot sans stirrups, my body gets pulled foreword over the pommel. If I go long enough, my ‘bottom’ will no longer be in the seat of the saddle but instead on the waist/pommel of the saddle.

This is a new problem. I’m wondering if it has to do with rising up and down hills (I have no where flat to ride, even my arena is on a hill :p) any suggestions to fix this?

[GoodTimes]

It sounds like you might be gripping with your knees which is tipping you forward.
As your riding without stirrups try lifting your entire leg off the saddle, stretch it down and back into the proper position. All the while remembering to sit up tall. This teaches you to keep your thigh and butt in the correct position without using your knees to balance. Start while sitting at the walk and trot, and progress to posting 10 steps, then sit and lift the legs, put them back in position, then post another 10 steps.
Another exercise that I like to do is holding the pommel for a lap or two. It’s good for muscle memory.

Think elegant when you ride, even without stirrups when you’re sweating like crazy!

[Winding_Down]

When I do posting trot sans stirrups, I do not rise much from the saddle and basically rock my pelvis forward and then back while keeping my shoulders back. I grip only very momentarily with the lower calf and not the knees. Seems to work okay for me.

[BilyandJack]

Thank you for the replies I will try both of these out. Also, I’m not tipping/leaning foreword my entire seat gets pushed foreword

[ybiaw]

You’re likely trying to rise out of the saddle too much. Just post as high as the horse’s momentum pushes you, like the above poster mentioned.