Advice - sitting a choppy gait & other things

[xxrequiem]

Hello all - I've been a lurker at CC for quite a while, must say it's an awesome site with loads of great advice and some great-sounding equestrians.

I have a few things I'd like to get your advice on;

My first problem is with sitting a choppy gait. My seat has recently gotten a lot better but after quite a few years riding it -should- already be better. I know everyone progresses at a different rate but I would think that by now I shouldn't be constantly bouncing. It's mainly with a fast, rough jog(trot) or a choppy lope(canter). I feel like I've missed out on a few secrets to keeping your seat. I've tried gripping with my knees but that doesn't stop the bouncing. I've tried sitting back and putting most of my weight in my saddle. Nothing has really helped. So I guess I'm wondering, what's an effective way to keep from bouncing like a sack of potatoes? It isn't fun for me, and it certainly isn't fun for my horse.

The next, if you're prepared to endure my woes;
A gelding I'm considering leasing is perfect for me. He's a wonderful sweet old horse who needs someone to give him a one on one partnership, mainly revolving around the human half spoiling him ;) He's PERFECT - Appendix QH with an AWESOME trot and a not-so-nice lope (hence the first problem). He just has a problem that I don't know how to solve. When I next see my instructor (I haven't seen her since before I tried Josh, the gelding, out) I intend to ask her, but for now I'd like a few things to think about and try in the meantime.

With Josh, you can't get very heavy with your hands or else it'll just rile him up. But when fresh he has a habit of jogging when he's supposed to be walking or racing his trot. I wind up keeping a tight hold on him since I don't know how to reduce his speed without pulling back, and obviously that doesn't work. I've turned him in a small circle to slow him down but I don't know how long it's gonna work before they just start to rile him. I've seen many people ride him without issue in his snaffle, without him just running through it etc, but I've been having problems.

Thank you so much in advance, to whoever replies. :)

[silverleprichuan]

Hello all - I've been a lurker at CC for quite a while, must say it's an awesome site with loads of great advice and some great-sounding equestrians.

I have a few things I'd like to get your advice on;

My first problem is with sitting a choppy gait. My seat has recently gotten a lot better but after quite a few years riding it -should- already be better. I know everyone progresses at a different rate but I would think that by now I shouldn't be constantly bouncing. It's mainly with a fast, rough jog(trot) or a choppy lope(canter). I feel like I've missed out on a few secrets to keeping your seat. I've tried gripping with my knees but that doesn't stop the bouncing. I've tried sitting back and putting most of my weight in my saddle. Nothing has really helped. So I guess I'm wondering, what's an effective way to keep from bouncing like a sack of potatoes? It isn't fun for me, and it certainly isn't fun for my horse.

The next, if you're prepared to endure my woes;
A gelding I'm considering leasing is perfect for me. He's a wonderful sweet old horse who needs someone to give him a one on one partnership, mainly revolving around the human half spoiling him ;) He's PERFECT - Appendix QH with an AWESOME trot and a not-so-nice lope (hence the first problem). He just has a problem that I don't know how to solve. When I next see my instructor (I haven't seen her since before I tried Josh, the gelding, out) I intend to ask her, but for now I'd like a few things to think about and try in the meantime.

With Josh, you can't get very heavy with your hands or else it'll just rile him up. But when fresh he has a habit of jogging when he's supposed to be walking or racing his trot. I wind up keeping a tight hold on him since I don't know how to reduce his speed without pulling back, and obviously that doesn't work. I've turned him in a small circle to slow him down but I don't know how long it's gonna work before they just start to rile him. I've seen many people ride him without issue in his snaffle, without him just running through it etc, but I've been having problems.

Thank you so much in advance, to whoever replies. :)

It sounds like your bouncing and rushing issues are both manifestations of tension. Tight hips, stiff back, crooked body, can all lead to the problems you are currently experiencing. Do you stretch everyday?

If not then I would strongly recommend getting into the habit. Loosening your hamstrings, lengthening your core, and relaxing your joints, will help you ride bouncy gaits.

If I had to guess I would say that you expect your horse to get fast, thus he jigs, which causes you to tighten and bounce, which makes him speed up.

Try to keep your rides very calm and think about staying loose in your joints and letting your seat follow with him. If he gets fast then gently circle him or do a downward transition. The faster and more "up" he gets, the calmer you have to stay so that your tension doesn't add to the problem.

Some horses also get fast when their minds aren't engaged. Try setting up some cones to weave around or do a simple pattern. Sometimes all a horse needs is a goal so that they can settle down and get to work.

Maybe talk to the riders who have an easier time sitting his gaits and keeping him levelheaded. They might have some breathing tips or exercises to share.

[PrissyBritches]

All I have to say is move ~with~ the horse. ;)

[xxrequiem]

Thank you soooooo much, both of you :D I'll be sure to try those things next time I ride him.

[BigStarLover]

My first problem is with sitting a choppy gait. My seat has recently gotten a lot better but after quite a few years riding it -should- already be better. I know everyone progresses at a different rate but I would think that by now I shouldn't be constantly bouncing. It's mainly with a fast, rough jog(trot) or a choppy lope(canter). I feel like I've missed out on a few secrets to keeping your seat. I've tried gripping with my knees but that doesn't stop the bouncing. I've tried sitting back and putting most of my weight in my saddle. Nothing has really helped. So I guess I'm wondering, what's an effective way to keep from bouncing like a sack of potatoes? It isn't fun for me, and it certainly isn't fun for my horse.

People Said, sit back in the saddle, also try lunging with an instructor maybe even if you ride without stirrups, maybe keep your balance in line, do you have a steady rythem ? keep your shoulders back & sit deep in the saddle, does this happen constintly you said ?

[BigStarLover]

The next, if you're prepared to endure my woes;
A gelding I'm considering leasing is perfect for me. He's a wonderful sweet old horse who needs someone to give him a one on one partnership, mainly revolving around the human half spoiling him He's PERFECT - Appendix QH with an AWESOME trot and a not-so-nice lope (hence the first problem). He just has a problem that I don't know how to solve. When I next see my instructor (I haven't seen her since before I tried Josh, the gelding, out) I intend to ask her, but for now I'd like a few things to think about and try in the meantime.

With Josh, you can't get very heavy with your hands or else it'll just rile him up. But when fresh he has a habit of jogging when he's supposed to be walking or racing his trot. I wind up keeping a tight hold on him since I don't know how to reduce his speed without pulling back, and obviously that doesn't work. I've turned him in a small circle to slow him down but I don't know how long it's gonna work before they just start to rile him. I've seen many people ride him without issue in his snaffle, without him just running through it etc, but I've been having problems.


BALANCE IS KEY!!

[xxrequiem]

Just when the horse is doing a fast jog that is also rough. I find it hard to get into the rhythm when they're going faster, which results in me getting tense, which as Silverleprichaun rightly(as usual ;)) says, poses a problem.

[DixieGirl]

Maybe get the horse to ride on trhe bit or collect his head.

[PrissyBritches]

Hmm, so you are trying to "sit" to any of the horses gates, right?

Again, you have to move with the horse.

I ride bareback a lot which helps me with finding the correct rythm of the movement and then I just move with the horse. It is hard to explain.

Its like sitting on a rocking horse basically.

Again, its hard to explain.

Im sorry if this is confusing.

I wish you the best of luck :)

[xxrequiem]

Thank you all. These are certainly things to keep in mind, and I will keep you posted! (:

[snapmyapp]

your hands. deffinalty pay attention to your hands as well as follow all this other lovely advice. when you ride, do your hands go higher? do they give gently? or are they stiff? deffinantly pay attention to that as well :]

[xxrequiem]

I'm fairly satisfied with my hands. They generally stay low and when I check the horse I pull back towards my waist as much as possible. I give as much as I can when the horse is doing what I want.

Josh, however, is a horse like I haven't encountered before. He is VERY light mouthed when it comes to turning, backing and lope-to-jog transitions. He simply tries to run through the bit when I ask him to break from a jog/lope to a walk, whether it was just his jigging or me asking him to jog/lope in the first place. He also does it when I ask him to check his speed. Hence, I increase the pressure until he listens, but it takes a LOT of pressure to get him to do so. You need to talk to him a lot, and I do (that at least keeps his stride consistent), but I'm still puzzled on how to effectively check his speed or break to a walk.

[silverleprichuan]

I'm fairly satisfied with my hands. They generally stay low and when I check the horse I pull back towards my waist as much as possible. I give as much as I can when the horse is doing what I want.

Josh, however, is a horse like I haven't encountered before. He is VERY light mouthed when it comes to turning, backing and lope-to-jog transitions. He simply tries to run through the bit when I ask him to break from a jog/lope to a walk, whether it was just his jigging or me asking him to jog/lope in the first place. He also does it when I ask him to check his speed. Hence, I increase the pressure until he listens, but it takes a LOT of pressure to get him to do so. You need to talk to him a lot, and I do (that at least keeps his stride consistent), but I'm still puzzled on how to effectively check his speed or break to a walk.


try using your core more.

Practice at a walk, feel the way your hips swing with his hips. Now try tensing that core and resisting that movement. He'll probably slow down but if he doesn't say whoa and make sure he stops. The more you practice the lighter and less you'll have to resist before he'll slow down and stop. The same principle can be used for downward transitions and checking speed.

[Love My Dun]

I haven't read what everyone else wrote, but heres my tips. I had the same problems, but i realized it wasn't my horse who had the choppyness.

It sounds like you're not using your hips when you ride. its a major factor and you can get away with not using them on some lesson horses, but sooner or later with some horses you need to incorporate them.

it takes lots of time to learn & practice. just practice moving your hips up and down and side to side and such when trotting and see what works. its kinda up to you to figure it out. sorta like guess & test.

you'll soon find that it's not the horse thats racing or that has the choppy gait, hence why other people can ride him without a problem, they may have more expirience with using their hips.

I don't like this saying for it, but its awfully true for the canter and occasionally the trot. my mom says its like having 'sex with the saddle'
I don't mean it dirty or anything, just to help.
it's like rowing a boat at the canter, too. a circular motion of sorts. like I said before, its really something you're gonna have to figure out on your own, its hard for others to explain.

[dudiebear]

my horse Dude is also very choppy, i found if i collect his head low and try a lil posting it helps alot.!

[snapmyapp]

maybe try leg cues instead of hand cues??

[xxrequiem]

Silverleprichaun, I'll definitely try that. I've always heard people saying "sit deep" or "resist the movements" but I've never understood how to go about that. Thanks ;)

And yeah, I don't really use my hips a lot. Definitely something to work on, thank you, Dun (:

Snap - I don't know what you mean by using leg cues instead of hands...Could you elaborate?

[xxrequiem]

Well, I tried the advice you guys gave me...and it worked!
On my lesson on Tuesday night I focused on relaxing and using my core. I wasn't riding Josh, although the relaxing worked for keeping the mare I currently ride levelheaded. She was quite fresh tonight, so she was being a lot quicker with her jog. I just relaxed and focused on moving with her and immediately she slowed herself down without my having to check her, which I usually do. Thank you so much, all of you :D

[silverleprichuan]

Well, I tried the advice you guys gave me...and it worked!
On my lesson on Tuesday night I focused on relaxing and using my core. I wasn't riding Josh, although the relaxing worked for keeping the mare I currently ride levelheaded. She was quite fresh tonight, so she was being a lot quicker with her jog. I just relaxed and focused on moving with her and immediately she slowed herself down without my having to check her, which I usually do. Thank you so much, all of you :D


I'm so glad that it worked well for you. Figuring out how to use your core to influence speed is highly beneficial.

[xxrequiem]

Yeah, thank you :D
I've also gotten to the root of Josh's rushing problem. He usually rushes with unfamiliar riders. The more he knows them, the slower he goes. Once he can relax with you, he starts going a lot better - you just can't let him go too fast or his brain goes into orbit :rolleyes:. Today he was jogging on a slack rein and hardly broke gait once, and his lope is really coming along. Speaking of which, his lope was not choppy at all. When holding him in, he actually -pulls- you out of the saddle with the reins. Ye gods, now I know why I see showjumpers on television rising so high out of the saddle x) He -really- responds to core exercises as well. Thank you, a million times, thank you (again) lol.