There is always a look of pure satisfaction on a rider’s face when they finally ‘get’ the rising trot! You know, they stop bouncing about and can actually work with the horse, in rhythm. And that is an important stepping stone for all riders. More than likely, when you were first learning how to ride the trot, your instructor taught you to do the “up downs.”
And at the time, ‘up down’ was the easiest way to both explain and help you ‘get’ the rising trot. The rhythm, the basic movement… Those first few trots when you managed to stay in sync with your horse felt like a win.
But here’s the truth; that early version of the rising trot, the up downs, was just the beginning. And if you’re still posting to the trot the same way… That could well be what has caused you to hit a wall where progress and improvement are concerned. It could also be the reason your horse’s training has stalled as well.
Because the fact is that while ‘up down’ works initially, it is essential that your rising trot gets lots of upgrades along the way to becoming a better rider.
In this episode of the Daily Strides Podcast, you will learn to begin evolving and refining your rising trot so that you can unlock a whole new level of riding, connection, and communication with your horse.
“Up Downs” Are Just a First Step
When you were learning to ride, you probably heard your coach calling out “up, down, up, down!” like a metronome. It’s how most of us were taught to post. It’s what I say to beginner riders even now in the arena. Why? Because it’s simple, easy to understand. And if I can use another ride to demonstrate, the ‘new’ rider can easily follow the words, up down, and match it to what the rider they are looking at is doing in the saddle.
But here’s the catch: “Up downs” are mechanical. They focus on your body’s movement. Not your horses.. They teach rhythm and balance, yes – but they rarely encourage (and often block) true feel or connection.
Eventually, if you don’t move beyond that, they become a ceiling. You think that because you’ve stopped being bounced about, you’re moving with your horse. And, yes, when you are riding ‘up downs’ you are at least going in the same rhythm as your horse. But, up downs alone won’t allow you to really work ‘with’ your horse.
Rising Trot is Team Work
The rising trot isn’t about going straight up and straight down. In fact doing this, often leads to a lot more problems! So instead of ‘up down’, a better way to think about this is forward and back. It’s a diagonally upward forward, using your belly button as the part of your body that leads the way.
A practiced and balanced moment of suspension, not a forced push or pull (depending on your body and what feels easier for you to do).
Riders who stay stuck in “up downs” often:
-
-
- Stand too vertically out of the saddle (6 to 8 inches of daylight between their bum and the saddle)
- Brace against the stirrups (lower leg shoots forward towards the horses shoulder or elbow)
- Collapse back into the saddle (they use the horses energy, not their own body, to move them)
- Fall behind or ahead of the rhythm (and become very unbalanced if the horse’s rhythm changes)
-
All of these habits interrupt the natural flow of the horse’s movement and create excessive tension through the horse. Sometimes it can even be physically uncomfortable for the horse. Whic his why working on refining your rising trot is so important.
Lack of Refinement = No Independence of Aids
As riders we all want ‘independent aids’. Meaning that each of your aids can work effectively without inadvertently negatively influencing the other aids. And yes, obviously they all do influence each other, but when your aids are ‘independent’, you can create more positive influence. Rather than just allowing negative influence to happen.
Your seat, legs, weight aids, and hands can all become more independent of each other, allowing for greater control when used together. But if you’re bouncing or bracing through each post, each ‘up’, your body becomes a single unit.
There’s no clear separation or intention between one aid and the next. And there’s also no control over your aids. You are at the mercy of your horse’s rhythm and energy. The ‘up downs’.
This means:
-
-
-
- Your legs can’t give subtle instructions
- Your seat can’t follow or influence movement
- Your hands can’t maintain a steady, consistent contact
-
-
Instead, everything is reactive and clunky. Your horse may feel confused, frustrated, or even dull to your aids.
How Rising Trot Promotes Energy & Connection
A good well-balanced and supported rising trot allows the energy from the hindquarters to flow through and connect to the front end of the horse. This is how, eventually, true contact is created. It allows your horses back to ‘connect’ and engage the flow of energy.
A poor rising trot – or just ‘up downs’, unfortunately, often does the opposite.
-
-
-
- It interrupts the energy mid-back, causing hollowness rather than engagement
- It blocks the swing through the ribcage, causing stiffness and ‘front wheel drive’
- It prevents true contact and throughness from developing
-
-
Your horse can’t move well if you’re banging up and down on his back. And so often, riders are using the horse’s energy to get them ‘up’ – and allowing gravity to get them back ‘down’! No and no!
Rising Trot is a Tool – Not a Habit
So, yes, let ‘up down’ get you going on your journey in trot. But then remember, as you progress, your rising trot should become something more. A way to positively influence your horse to develop and work in a better way.
When you truly learn how to post or rise to the trot, you can then help your horse. You can support, ask for adjustments, and help your horse to balance. Especially when the rhythm or tempo goes a little off track! It can even help improve your horse’s straightness and engagement. But only if you ride it with intention, feel, and refinement.
You must learn to accept responsibility for your own movement in the saddle (not just rely on your horse’s energy) and then consider the basics as you are doing it – position, posture, self carriage, etc.
Rethinking Your Rising Trot
If you’re serious about progressing as a rider and helping your horse develop correctly, taking an honest look at what you are doing while trotting is a great place to begin. “Up downs,” got you going initially in the trot. They made you feel more comfortable and built your confidence. But, they are also one of the ‘basics’ that need attention and refinement. Especially if you’ve felt stuck at the same level for some time in your riding.
Start by taking the movement out of the trot completely. Yes – begin at halt. This allows you to really focus on what you’re doing, without your horse’s movement getting in the way.
The movement should come from your core and your seat, not your shoulders or arms. Think about lifting your belly button diagonally forward and up, not just straight up. Almost like someone in front of you is gently tugging your belt buckle forward with a string. And when you come back down? Do it like a feather. No flopping. No collapsing. Imagine you’re in an aerobics class – you control the up, and you control the down. Both directions count.
Posting to the Trot
Once you’ve got that ‘feel’ sorted at halt, move into walk and try the same thing. Begin rising in rhythm with the walk stride, always focusing on that diagonal lift. And your lower leg? It stays under you. The ‘Click Your Fingers Rule’ is a good one to apply here… If at any point, you could make your horse vanish, would you land on your feet?
Keep your posture aligned, your aids quiet, and stay intentional. When you’re able to rise and come back down without relying on your horse’s energy (or gravity!), then you can start experimenting in trot again. Bring all of that body awareness and control with you.
Over time, you will have to think about this more refined way of working with your horse in trot less and less. You will have to revisit it every now and then, to make sure no unhelpful habits have crept in. Or to perhaps refine even more as your riding develops.
But by taking responsibility for your own movement and actions I the trot, you create the space for. your horse to work ‘with’ you. Not against each other.
Happy Riding
Lorna
Online Training to Help Your Riding
-
-
-
- Upcoming ‘From Passenger to Rider’ Webinar Waitlist
- Daily Strides Premium – Audio Horse Riding Lessons for Riders
- Information on Virtual Horse Riding Lessons
- Pivo Motion Tracking Software (*affiliate link for 10% off your purchase)
-
-
Connect with Lorna online:-
-
-
- Connect in the Daily Strides Podcast Online Community https://www.facebook.com/groups/dailystridespodcast
- Connect in the Virtual Stable Lounge Private Group https://www.facebook.com/groups/1499737810323191
-
