[IceHorses] Re: Positive example - finally!/ Now Icelandic Trot

[Susan Coombes]

> And somewhere today, I read someone referring to posting as "standing 
in the 
> stirrups."  Oh no!  If you stand on your stirrups, or brace on them 
when 
> sitting, you're very likely to be putting undue weight under the 
stirrup 
> bars, or stressing the horse in some area.  This is true with treed 
and 
> treeless saddles.  Most of us who started riding in 
traditional "English" 
> lessons (Nancy...?) probably remember learning to post with no 
stirrups at 
> all!  (Oh, the agony at first!)  When posting, your weight should be 
across 
> your inner thighs, with your abs and lower back getting a workout.
 
In a group lesson we were asked to do 'standing in stirrups' trot. I 
was the only one who 'got it'. It was exactly as you say. The weight 
feels as if you are falling on your knees but supported by your inner 
thigh. The hip, knees and ankles absorb the movement. There are several 
reasons why it could be difficult. Trying to stand with tension in the 
legs ie. using the stirrup as a brace. The stirrups are set wrongly on 
the saddle, too far forward or back. I can't do it in my current 
saddle, not even at halt. I hate to think how my trot feels to Corrie. 
Maybe it would be a good test for a saddle? Surely it should be 
possible to balance 'on my springs'at a halt.
Sue coombes