Hi Gary,

I find when I'm riding if I don't do just basic stretching before I get in the saddle, it takes me longer to "settle in" to the saddle and find the proper posture. If I do a few general stretches after tacking up it really helps me to get my muscles awake and I jump in the saddle and settle in right away. I just do very basic stretches (I'm 23, so those that feel they may need to stretch a bit more, you may want to do it before tacking up). I just bend to touch my toes 3-4 times, stretch my arms up in the air a few times, put my hands on my hips and twist n hold in each direct a couple seconds a few times, and then I stretch my legs on a hay bale/tack box, whichever is handy. I have a problem with my right shoulder from a few riding accidents and then it was topped off with a car accident, so if I'm feeling poorly on that shoulder I'll stretch it a bit longer by reaching for the saddle horn or pulling my arm across my chest and holding it for a few seconds to put a good stretch on the shoulder itself. It seems to work, may look a bit funny though haha. .

All in all I find if I stretch a bit first it pays off in the long run while I'm in the saddle. If you ride english and are in 2-point often, you may want to do other stretches like rotating your ankles?

Hope this helps :D

Frank, a friend of mine just turned 70 and he is riding quite regularly.

The best advice I can give is to keep yourself fit off the horse with stretching, core exercises and tons of walking.

Before your ride, do something to warm up your muscles - a brisk walk ought to do it. Then slowly do some light leg stretches before you get on.

When you get off and your muscles are really nice and warm, you can do deeper stretches. Be sure to hold each stretch for 30 seconds.

Do you have a specific horse you will be riding?

-- Edited by Barbara F on Sunday 17th of October 2010 03:32:38 AM

I am a basic rider, so I can't help with the sitting trot, but for the posting trot, my best advice is to count one-two-one-two to keep a good posting rhythm.

Also, don't try to just lift yourself up, let the horse's movement do that for you about 75% and you can you about 25% of the work.

I hope that is helpful!

-- Edited by Laura F on Sunday 17th of October 2010 10:56:46 AM

Sitting trot is just what is states, instead of posting you are "sitting" in the saddle.  At first you will find this very bumpy and feel like you are being bounced around. Grab with your "butt and thighs" and slow the speed of the trot by pushing your chest out and bringing your elbows back.  Lean back a little and try to absorb the motion of the trot with your body by being flexible in your spine. I find that the taller I sit the easier it is.  My horse has a big bouncey trot so I have to reallly get a lot of hip motion going to stay with him.  Hope this helps!  And so far as rider fitness go and sign upwith Equifit.com. Heather Sansom is a professional trainer that I have worked with for fitness training specific to riding.  She has worked with top riders and has free newsletters with fitness tips.  I do a lot of core training and upper body strength training. I had been riding a bike 100 miles a week prior to learning hunt seat and was NOT prepared for the level of fitness it took to ride a horse. You use different muscles from traditional exercising (running, biking) and the more flexibility you have the better.

Hi KS! Thank you!
Wow - a very good tip! I think I can deal with it to my advantage. I also like that you didn't "drown" your comment in technical jargon.
I realize doing it(hands on!) works great for learning; but the exchange this group provides gives the uninitiated/limited experience rider a fine starting point! Simply stated: this is good stuff!

For years I could not straighten my knees because my gluts were so tight from riding. Stretching is way underrated by riders! WE ARE ATHLETES TOO!

Power walk! Walk with long strides not speed for at least 45min three times a week.