So, you've been doing the exercises from my earlier posts. You have pretty much mastered them and feel pretty strong. Now you can post comfortably for a full hour lesson. But are you as solid in your leg as you think?
Want to know the dirty little secret about the posting trot? Once you get the base line strength developed momentum plays a big part in posting your way around the arena. But, that's not going to help you out on the trail, over fences, or on a horse that suddenly decides he wants to be the next Sea Biscuit! The time has come to test your strength, further develop those muscles, and confuse your body...a lot. It is time for in the saddle posting exercises!
Now, most people automatically assume they should work with out stirrups to strengthen their leg. The problem with this, is that if you are using your leg wrong to begin with you will only continue to strengthen the wrong muscles and find yourself frustrated and unable to move forward in your riding. Save "no stirrups" for a little later on. INSTEAD we are going to have you ride an exercise that makes is impossible for you to cheat or use the wrong muscles. This exercise can ONLY be accomplished if you are riding centered and correct and have the strength to do it. Now, like any and all of the exercises I give you, it is doing them correctly that matters, not how many you do or how long you do them. One done correctly will be two next time and so forth.
LET'S BEGIN!!
"Up, Down, Up, Down, Up, Down...." You WILL need to talk your self through this set of exercises. So start out chanting as your post your trot, find your rhythm and groove, nice and easy. But don't get too comfortable because things are going to change. Posting is now "Up, Up, Down, Down, Up, Up, Down, Down, Up, Up, Down, Down...." yes you read that right, read it again and get ready to chant it, one lap around the arena on a loose rein. Is your body confused yet? If not, it will be soon. Go back to a lap of "Up, down, up, down". Next Lap: "Up, Up, Down, Up, Up, Down, Up, Up, Down..." back to "Up, Down" Final Lap: "Up, Down, Down, Up, Down, Down, Up...". Walk, change rein, repeat.
Depending on your fitness level you may only get a few strides in of each one, or only concentrate on the first variation both directions. But remember, it is about building up to the ability to knock out the entire exercise comfortably one day.
What will you notice? First and foremost, if you are "cheating" and posting off your feet, your will quickly realize you are unable to get in rhythm or even get out of the saddle. Because with out the continuous momentum of the "up, down" motion you need strength and balance to complete every movement. You will also notice your body trying to fight you changing it's "habit" of posting and you will become painfully aware of each and every movement your body parts make now that you are no longer hypnotized by the post.
While working this exercise take care to be soft and let your knees, hips, and ankles flex and bend as you move. A common side effect of mental stress if the body freezing up as well. So BREATH, chant the pattern, and enjoy a new challenge that will increase your ability!!
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