Val Gilbert Horsemanship sitting trot 06/11/2013

Always properly prepare yourself and your horse before trying any of this. I am not responsible for you or your horse's actions or reactions or injuries. The sitting trot can be a challenge to a lot of people as well. It is hard to have that form and stay relaxed at the same time. Just like the posting trot, the only way to get better is to practice.

[@Drainman]

Thank You for helping me understand.I am 59 years old. Two years ago I did three months of English riding instruction.I just started Western two weeks ago and I love it.I am always going to call myself a beginner as there is so much to know but I think my advantage is that I love animals and Horses can connect to you mentally and this video teaches that communication.I went through some bad times in the past five years so as a man coming out of a divorce and beating cancer this is the only thing that I want to do.Counselling doesnt help but horses do.thanks again.

[@ValGilbert-Houses-N-Horses]

You are very welcome. Yes horses have an amazing healing ability abkut them. The connection they bring to the partnership is well known for its therapeutic means. So happy for you that you are on a path and for your healing. Best of luck to you.

[@pheonixaerialphotography8749]

"Move your hips with the horse's hips, otherwise you'll be bumping into his hips"...excellent way to explain, love this video! Thanks for posting! And greetings from Canada!

[@ValGilbert-Houses-N-Horses]

Thank you in Canada!

[@jodie4609]

Oohhh ok I get it now thank you

[@N2Dressage001]

Agree! Brilliant explanation.

[@N2Dressage001]

I'm a dressage rider and your video was so helpful. Thank you! ❤

[@ValGilbert-Houses-N-Horses]

Wonderful. Thank you.

[@katydai]

It's hard to see your hips in those chaps, but I found this very informative and helpful! Lots of great tips!

[@ValGilbert-Houses-N-Horses]

Glad you found some helpful information. Let me know if you have further questions. Enjoy!

[@ameliapiner9245]

I am a 113 lb woman with a pony with an awful trot, but your video really helped me and now we are doing fine! Thank you!

[@astridcomerford6309]

Great video, make sense, hi from Ireland.

[@ValGilbert-Houses-N-Horses]

Thank you and HI!

[@lisatoney2867]

Yes!! Soft hands makes a soft horse… Loud hands make a loud horse. :)

[@sr1987]

beautiful info from beautiful lady much obliged

[@LabadieLizard]

"Feel down to him, and he'll feel up to you." I absolutely love that. What a beautiful verbal perspective that we often forget to be aware of. I love this video and the way you explain and reiterate. Bravo and thanks :-)

[@ValGilbert-Houses-N-Horses]

Thank you very much. Glad you enjoyed.

[@perryseltz8010]

I've watched about 20 videos on sitting the trot and this one was most helpful to me. Thanks.

[@ValGilbert-Houses-N-Horses]

Awesome. Glad it helped. Best luck to you. If you have any questions just let me know.

[@btopes9654]

Thank you for making this video. I had my first posting lesson yesterday and I was definitely using my stirrups and also sitting too rigidly I think. It was a very bumpy and exhausting experience. Now I know why. Can’t wait to try again.

[@valgilbert5048]

Awesome. Let me know how it goes.

[@hailey6567]

Wow you made a 10 yr old understand this, I am taking some lessons and this really helped my confidence with moving into a trot , TY!

[@ValGilbert-Houses-N-Horses]

You are most welcome. Enjoy, have fun, never stop learning 😊

[@pamelasaba7885]

"You stop, he stops, life is good" I love that one. I will steal it.

[@ValGilbert-Houses-N-Horses]

🤠 enjoy

[@terriwyatt1999]

I know this is an older video, but I'm new to horsmanship and riding outside of a trail riding horse 2-3 times a year. Your videos are so helpful. I keep listening to them and catch something new each time. Thank you!!

[@ValGilbert-Houses-N-Horses]

Terri Wyatt welcome to horsemanship & I'm glad you are enjoying the videos. Thank you.

[@terriwyatt1999]

@@ValGilbert-Houses-N-Horses it is honestly amazing how much more there is to learn about horses than jumping on their back and riding on a trail. They are such smart and intuitive animals. I do have a question. So when you talk about softening your lower back and moving your hips independently in sync with the horse (I cracked up on your "dont hump your horse" comment). Do you move your right hip-left hip side to side (like up and down) on the trot or do you move front to back right hip-left hip?

[@ValGilbert-Houses-N-Horses]

Terri Wyatt each horse had it's own way of traveling & it will change as the horse & you become more balanced, etc. It's a matter of keeping yourself centered & in control of your body, while following your horse's movement & feeling what isn't yet balanced. Then once you can feel what might be "off" in the horse you begin to get yourself to create a more balanced picture for the horse to find. You can only do so much at a time as the horse needs to learn to move correctly & use his body in the most effective way for that horse. Some horses, due to conformation & breed, will have slightly more side to side while others more forward & back or up & down... but it's important to learn what the most efficient, effective & building way for that horse as an individual. It's hard to fully answer in just words on a page. Just like any professional athlete will never be exactly like another as each is an individual with differences yet the same. The one important thing to remember is that although you have a soft back it isn't sloppy. Don't move too much with your horse or you throw them off. Keep a good control of yourself without being stiff then you can feel the horse correctly, they can feel you better & you can better find what is truly efficient for that horse.

[@terriwyatt1999]

@@ValGilbert-Houses-N-Horses completely understood. I've got some definite basic moves here to be conscious of.... and I'm going to have to practice balance, learn to stay centered on the horse....railroad arms....stay quiet and feel the horse's moves so he can feel mine. The ride will evolve with the horse. You have to go with it but stay the leader.

[@terriwyatt1999]

Thank you so much for sharing.....it is so interesting and helpful.

[@rumbawas]

You're smart trainer, thank you so much

[@Samantha_annie_music]

Thank you for this video! The way you explained the movement is so helpful. I struggle with sitting the trot and end up just posting. I’ve been trying to practice sitting it better but have been doing more of the lope hip motion (like the “scoop” if that makes sense) so you really cleared up why that’s not working. I always feel bad for the poor horse when I’m bumping around in the saddle, so I think your advice should make things a lot smoother! I can’t wait to try it!

[@ValGilbert-Houses-N-Horses]

Awesome. Keep me posted on your progress. Thank you.

[@nature_163]

This was very helpful and very informative and I will remember to NOT HUMP MY HORSE 😂 thx for the help!

[@ValGilbert-Houses-N-Horses]

Hehe... Very glad the video was helpful to you. Thank you very much

[@joesmoe4675]

Do you allow your hips to be pushed forward by the horse? Or is it too late at that point to displace the energy? Also you said ‘allow the hips to move independently’; by that you mean, the riders left and right side or independent from the horse? Thanks so much

[@ValGilbert-Houses-N-Horses]

Just saw this was posted here. I responded to you on the other video. :)

[@samehoe4256]

Gee wish she could train me on riding one on one😢

[@ValGilbert-Houses-N-Horses]

Thank you.

[@yerebiz9545]

I have no idea how to trot so i just stand in my stirups

[@alexwest9323]

you helped me alot!Thank you!

[@ValGilbert-Houses-N-Horses]

Alex West thank you

[@karimu_aoi7620]

Thank you! You're great at riding and teaching others how to do it right! What should we do with our hips in the lope?

[@ValGilbert-Houses-N-Horses]

That somewhat depends on the type of lope your horse is doing. You want to work to follow your horses movements but not too much. Keeping your body in control is the most important focus. You'll see some where they look like they are sitting in a lounge chair and that's really hard on the horse. Keep your posture and feel for that hind leg to scoop you forward and up. Also make sure you aren't too far forward. Stay balanced in the "center" and in control. It's almost a diagonal feel but it's still very straight. Don't fall to one side which is super common for some people. I'll get on a horse and know how a person rides the lope because the horse will be really crooked. Keep your legs under you. Don't exaggerate at all. Just feel for where the horse is moving and stay with him. If you want a different lope, then slowly adjust your body and if you stay with them a while, they will then stay with you as you change.

[@karimu_aoi7620]

@@ValGilbert-Houses-N-Horses Perfect, thank you so much for an in-depth response! This is exactly the kind of advice I was looking for. I feel like this'll really help me to set goals with my riding once I am cantering/loping again. I have only loped once before, and it was quite the experience, I must admit. Anyhow, have a lovely day 😊

[@ValGilbert-Houses-N-Horses]

@@karimu_aoi7620 awesome. Let me know how it goes. And remember... if for any reason you feel the need to "hold on" to something, grab the back of the saddle and not the front. :)

[@PaletoB]

The sound of the hofs in this video helps alot.

[@ValGilbert-Houses-N-Horses]

och307 thank you. I am glad it helped.

[@jasmineh7198]

thank you for the video!this is very helpful I'll ty this ext time I go for riding lessons (Western) and you explained alot,very understandable!can you do tacking up your horse Western if you haven't already? thanks again!:3

[@ValGilbert-Houses-N-Horses]

Horse Lover I am glad you liked the video. I will work on a tacking up video for you.

[@owenouthwaite8848]

Really helps with a horse with a smooth trot lol riding my friends Arabian is crazy can ride my quarterhorse all day in a trot but same saddle on her horse and I can't do anything

[@ValGilbert-Houses-N-Horses]

When you get the horse correct, straight, balanced, using their own control and you do the same, it can be more amazing on what I would call the Pepe Le Pew horses. I've had other horses that I'd call milkshake horses. Where you'd make sure you didn't eat an hour before riding, 🤪. That horse in the video wasn't always a pleasure to ride his trot. Just keep working on you and the horse to control movement through balanced & controlled coordination. Then you will love the Arabian trot just as much if not more than the quarters

[@owenouthwaite8848]

Val Gilbert @ Keller Williams - The Lander Team / Val Gilbert Horsemanship thanks for the tip but I don't get to ride the Arabian very much as it's my friends and she's lives pretty far away

[@olivertheferret6910]

I’ve been trotting for months but somehow I lost my trot and I’m bouncing so badly and my teacher is getting mad saying how did you loose it

[@ValGilbert-Houses-N-Horses]

I have seen that happen many times with students. I'd have to see it to help you fully. Just remember to keep control of your movement but not be too stiff or too loose. Close your eyes if you can and find the horses movement. Start at the walk. Be sure you are using control. Follow the horse first. Then go with the horse. Together. There is so much that it is hard to explain. It is very simple. But it is not easy. The horse has to work on being correct as well. There are times where it's very bouncy because the horse is sore and is not very correct either. Then it can be hard to stay with them. Start to count the feet. Find which foot is leaving and landing. Get to feel the horse like your own feet. Then it is easier to be true to the horse. This also allows you to begin to find if the horse is sore. You just have to be aware and compare. Sometimes it is very subtle. But it can make a huge difference. Good luck.

[@pi5943]

So just like when you post you go up with him, Here you move your hip when he goes up and the other when he goes down? Or do i have the wrong idea lol

[@ValGilbert-Houses-N-Horses]

It's more like with each stride. As his legs move, so do your hips. Just like if you were walking on the ground. Each hip goes with the leg.

[@factsoverfeelings3110]

so we move the hips diagonally while sitting the trot?

[@ValGilbert-Houses-N-Horses]

you move them in the direction of the horse moving theirs to simplify it. You move them separately and not together. Often people lock up and both (or sometimes everything) are moving together. That would be more like hopping.

[@nfil6239]

I own a horse who throws her weight and is very unbalanced and she throws me out of the saddle to the outside of whichever way she is going. it's so hard for me to sit and not hold on with my legs at her trot. my old horse I could ride a bareback trot all day...she was just a quarter horse too.

[@brookehyllandmj4625]

I was told to kind of sit where my butthole is when sitting the trot. Is that right, or...

[@ValGilbert-Houses-N-Horses]

Hi Brooke, That can make you roll back too far on your seat. It is a lot harder to fully control your body movement if you are rolled too far back. You are looking for alignment and best control for you and horse. It can be easier for some people to really roll back like that but it is not good for you or your horse. It is just easier to be "loose" but that is not riding with your horse. That is more or less a passenger.. For a while it can seem easier.. until pain starts on you and your horse down the road.

[@brookehyllandmj4625]

@@ValGilbert-Houses-N-Horses oh ok! Thank you so much!

[@jodie4609]

Don't hump your horse 😂😂😂

[@lynkodefo2716]

At the dude ranch we were told to stand up in the saddle (western) rather than post because some people can't post properly. I had difficulty standing in the saddle because my heels were no longer down but straightened out and occasionally I would bounce. Then I had to try and post because I didn't want to hurt his back - but I found it difficult to post. I had my stirrups shortened as much as they could be shortened. Any suggestions about standing in the saddle? Thanks . Nice video!! Very precise!

[@ValGilbert-Houses-N-Horses]

hi. Sometimes at horse rental places or similar places, it is just much easier to have people stand in the stirrups to hopefully save horse & rider for that short time. I don't recommend just standing as that can potentially cause many other issues (some quite dangerous ). When I help someone learn how to "stand in the stirrups" I first take their feet out of the stirrups. When I "stand" for whatever reason, I actually balance on my thighs. I should be able to stand or post easily without my stirrups. It takes strength & balance, but you won't bounce. You stay with the horse. Feet in stirrups help with stabilizing a bit or as a quick "catch" while you practice balance. However, your feet should remain just as proper "standing" or sitting or posting. Putting all weight in stirrups, especially with toes pointed down, you will be like a weeble wobble up there that the horse is really now trying to balance. Not to mention you could be moving the saddle around so much it could do some damage. Think of it like if you were taking a child piggy back up on your shoulders & they kinda push themselves up higher and then weave around a bit. It wouldn't be too long til that was the last "ride" you gave that child.

[@lynkodefo2716]

Thank you for the advice! Next time I ride I'll have to try that.

[@ValGilbert-Houses-N-Horses]

+Lynko Defo you are welcome

[@joannab7299]

May I ask where?

[@Staki6908]

So sit back, sit up, sit relaxed, sit straight, i'm confused now. Just feel the horse, ride bareback then riding in a saddle is easy.

[@jerricho11]

70% of this video is demonstrations of what NOT to do. I get that that can be helpful to correct issues but I'd rather learn it right the first time and not be thrown off by 8 out of 12 min of a "don't do this" teaching style video.

[@ValGilbert-Houses-N-Horses]

Thank you for watching and for your input. I generally do not always prefer the "don't do this" but after many years of teaching, every single time I am with a client they ask me... "what is it that I am doing?" because they are often unaware. This is why I occasionally put this in there. This was a specific requested video from people asking for the what not to and what to do.

[@jerricho11]

@@ValGilbert-Houses-N-Horses Yeah, I understand that but I'm having difficulty finding good western riding videos on youtube. A lot are English riders showing examples of the western discipline but doing it poorly. (or even worse) promotional videos that cut off half the lesson cause they want you to buy their DVD. So when I came across your video I was really excited to see western basics by a western rider not trying to sell me something. That said, I understand not everyone learns the same way, but I am familiar with how I learn. and for me, watching a 'what not to do' video is a good way for me to learn bad habits.

[@TiffanySwafford]

If I even try to sit trot Athena stops any advice she just slows down or stops any advice

[@ValGilbert-Houses-N-Horses]

Without seeing what it happening, my first thought is that you are beginning the sit too abruptly and going against her, probably "freezing" your motion. She is most likely reading it as a stop or just not sure what you want. Very sensitive horse, which is awesome. Try taking your post to just smaller movements prior to trying to sit. Then the first few, just "hover" slightly above the saddle. Can you still maintain the movement with the horse or are you freezing position? When you figure that out (video yourself (zoomed in enough to see) - you might see a lot more then you are feeling), if she trots even 1 step, go immediately back to the posting trot. Work on this until you can continue with her motion between the positing and the sitting trot. Don't freeze or hesitate. It has to flow and keep moving. Make sure you aren't sitting too far back or too far forward on the transition. And again. Once you fix yourself, if she still is not sure because this is what she has been doing and now maybe thinks this is what she is supposed to do..... just if she trots a single step in the transition, go back to post. Then 2 steps, 3 steps etc. Until you can stay "in the flow" and she understands she should keep going.