Trotting

Pace

The Trop is a two-time pace. You can find out what this means and more about paces by looking on our 'Trotting' page. 

Sitting Trot

At sitting trot you ‘sit’ in the saddle for both beats of the trot. You should remain upright and your hips and back should be supple, absorbing the movement of the horse. It allows the rider to remain close to the saddle at all times and should only be used if your horse’s back is muscled enough to carry you in this way. Sitting trot can be a useful position to improve your riding position.

Tips

• Sitting trot allows the rider to remain in close contact with the horse at all times.
• Your horse’s pace should not be affected by you changing between sitting and rising trot.
• Your hips and back should remain supple to absorb the movement of the horse.
• Your shoulders should sit squarely above your hips and not be hunched over.
• It is very important to maintain the same, steady contact with your horse at all times.

Rising Trot

At rising trot you rise from the saddle on one beat and sit in the saddle on the alternate beat. Your upper body should be leaning slightly forward from your hips so that you are balanced with your horse’s movement. When you rise in the trot, your shoulders lead but you must not tip forward. It should feel as though your body is being raised by the horse and then allowed to sit gently back down without losing any balance. Be careful not to sink down at your waist as this will cause an unwanted rounding of your back.

Your hips and knees should remain supple to allow you to rise and lower more easily. Your weight on your stirrup-irons and the contact of your lower leg with your horse should not vary. Your elbows and shoulders should also remain supple and mobile to allow your hands to maintain the same contact with your horse’s mouth as you rise and return to the saddle.

Tips

• Do not let your body fall back into the saddle as this will put you behind the movement of the horse
• Do not use your reins for balance.
• Your shoulders should sit squarely above your hips and not be hunched over.
• It is very important to maintain the same, steady contact with your horse at all times.

The Diagonals

Left Diagonal

'Riding on the left diagonal' means that you return to your saddle at the same time as when the horses left forefoot and right hindfoot touch the ground.

Right Diagonal

'Riding the right Diagonal' is the opposite of 'riding the left diagonal'. This means that you return to your saddle when the horses right forefoot and left hindfoot touch the ground.

Which Diagonal To Use

It is generally considered correct to ride on the left diagonal when proceeding to the right (on the right rein) and to ride on the right diagonal when proceeding to the left (on the left rein).

Changing Diagonal

You should change the diagonal when changing direction, and also at intervals when out hacking, so that the horse makes equal use of the muscles on both sides of his body.

To change the diagonal, you should sit down in the saddle for an extra beat before rising again. For example when changing from left to right diagonal you would start by returning to your saddle when the left forefoot and right hindfoot touch the ground (riding the left diagonal). Then rather than rising, sit in your seat for one extra beat and then rise again. Return to your seat as the right forefoot and left hindfoot touch the ground. You are now riding the right diagonal.

Riding on the left diagonal means you return to your saddle at the same time as when the horses left forefoot and right hindfoot touch the ground. Riding on the right diagonal is the opposite of riding on the left diagonal. Ride on the left diagonal when turning to the right, ride on the right diagonal when turning to the left.