Hi,

Is there a specific tip that can help to keep a smooth sitting trot even it turned to a fast trot, I succeeded in following the motion of the horse with a very slow trot, I can say i felt sitting the trot somehow smooth, but when the instructor asked to increase the speed of the trot it turned to be very bouncy, i don't hit the horse back very hard, but to me, compared to the slow trot, i don't feel it smooth, is this normal or I am missing something?

Please correct me about the following as well >>
Sitting trot basics:

1- Knee & thigh grip.
2- Following the motion of the horse.

are those enough? are those the same requirements for smooth canter as well?

I have never sat in any trot! only in a canter!!

Its not so much grip as it is allowing your weight to balance you and your body to move and give and absorb the movement allowing you to go with the horse. You need a good instructor on the ground to watch you. Some ponies can be notoriously hard to sit to, and try a Hackneyor an American Trotter that has been taught not to break into canter and you want to give up lol

Thanks Cascara, this was the most informative answer I got about the confusion I feel regarding the knee or thigh grip and whether it's the grip that keep me smooth with the sitting trot or not, obviously now it's just for balancing and help to absorb the movement.

This was really helpful, but you think it's normal to be hard to sit with a FAST trot? or It can be done though?

It can be done, but is much much easier with a nice big horse and the faster the stride the longer the extention and so the longer the 'bump' and so it is much easier to absorb and move with it. What size is your horse?

The size of the horse I am getting training on is very small, not a pony, but it's very small, her slow trot is very smooth, i find myself rising high and down, but the saddle is deep enough, so i can follow the movement by staying deep in it, but when I try to increase the trot speed, i can't follow the high ups and downs, and i almost hear the sound of my seat hitting the saddle, not much, but not too smooth as well, is this normal? or i am missing something?

By the way, you answers reflect clear understanding i see thanks alot

Have you ever tryed western riding?that is a sitting trot and quite comfy.

I've always found that if I let my hips go with the horse it's easier, I do extended trot on my TB but he's got very expressive movement and found it hard at first.

Can I ask the reason your instructor asked you to trot faster?

Lol knee high and grip.. I see you being on the floor.. relax.. practice relaxing then gradually go into faster trots then slow it back down.. Then you can lengthen the time of the trot... If you have to hold onto the pommel.. to start with.. your prob best on the lunge for this...

__________________

I agree with Cascara

It isnt about gripping, especially not with the knees!

You need to feel that your hips, down are part of the horse, while your upper half is light, and not rocking.

It is easy to sit to a horse who is working in a good medium trot who is working with impulsion. A horse who is working with little energy put into the trot will be much more uncomfortable.