riding bigger movement

[Sixth Sense]

How long does it take to get used to a horse with bigger gaits? Or, perhaps the question should be can one ever really get used to this power if they haven't ridden this type of movement pretty much right from the beginning?

We just brought her home from the trainer (we bred and raised her) and I can't believe the power in her gaits. I have never ridden one like this before so I am desperately hoping that my body will adjust with time. Hopefully not years though! She is lovely and obedient, just a very big mover. Any insight is greatly appeciated.

[Boomer]

You do get used to it. I'm in the same situation. My home-bred gelding has 3 big elastic gaits (thanks dad!) compared to his mom.

It took me a little (sorry, don't recall the time-frame as he's 7 years old now) while to adjust but it was time in the saddle working on it. Make sure you don't use your hands to help balance tho :)

I'm having to adjust to sitting this big trot instead of just posting it. And the canter - he could give Secretariat competition :winkgrin:

[bluesegolene]

Try to go on a lunge line on well-trained horses with similar movements. You can do it, it takes time and dedication, and it does help if you are fit ( in my view, fitness often translates into greater body awareness)

[JRG]

It takes some time, but your ab's will never look better!

[dbadaro]

don't worry! you'll get used to it! i just bought a standbred that i had on trial for two weeks. wow does he have a huge stride! bigger than any other hrose i've ridden. it takes some getting used to but just relax and enjoy it! :D

[cyndi]

I'm dealing with the same thing now, as I rode my 3 year old who's being started under saddle at the trainer's for the first time two weeks ago. He has the biggest movement of any horse I've owned, and I've had plenty of them. It is a learning curve, to be sure.

The most important thing, to me, is core strength. If I had not already been going to the gym to get better strength to ride my other horse, who I've trained up to third, it would be even tougher! I finally decided, at 50, that riding horses was not enough of a workout to get fit enough to ride horses!:D Especially when one sits at a computer for a living!

I know if I had not been doing that, it would be even harder. I do have a grab strap on my saddle, just to make sure I have something other than the reins to grab when I get behind or ahead of his movement. Also, the tendancy to 'shut down' their movement to make them easier to ride is very great - don't do it!

I think it all boils down to time in the saddle and enough core strength to maintain your position in the saddle and 'go' with them with an independent seat.

I feel your 'pain' but it is a happy 'problem' to have!

[FlashGordon]

I went from riding stock horses with shuffly little gaits (even after I asked them to move out) to having a gigantic TB who was, IMO, a gigantic mover!

I struggled to keep up with him, mostly at the trot, those first few weeks. Then my instructor said just ride him and don't THINK about keeping up with him! It made all the difference.

He was so BIG in movement and in presence, everything I've been on since him seems tiny and short-strided!

Hang in there, it will come.

[Leena]

I found it was the best way to stop gripping on the saddle otherwise you will feel like a 20 pounds bag of potatoes, no matter how you try to follow it.

Those horses are very good at helping you to find your real balance and real seat !! It took me a long long time and I support totally the "Hang in there" advice.

[CDNJumperGirl]

hahaha, oh man i remember that struggle all too well. It took me two weeks of riding more or less every day to get a half-way decent sitting trot on my BIG moving warmblood. I've now only just gotten able (read: strong enough) to sit him properly, rather than sort-of hovering and praying.

Good luck with your pony! Sounds like lots of fun!

[Vesper Sparrow]

On my three year old, I feel like I'm being rocketed to the moon at every stride of posting trot. He's the same size as my mare (15.3ish) but he's got a big, ground-covering stride. It took me a while to get used to it and it still gives me pause sometimes. It feels great, though, when I relax with it. She feels mincing in comparison and I think it has made me try to have her lengthen more as a result. God knows what his trot is going to be like to sit.

[Sixth Sense]

Thanks everyone. Being rocketed to the moon is a great analogy. I definitely agree that it is a happy problem to have. I'm so excited to finally be riding her!

[slc2]

I think it usually takes a rider a few weeks to get more accustomed to a bigger mover, and then some months or more to get more supple and fit to ride it well.

I think riders should 'upgrade movers' as they develop, if they are keeping the same horse, by learning to gradually develop their own horse's movement and gaits to be more and more flexible, elastic and athletic with more impulsion and power, or if they are getting a new horse, by getting one with slightly more natural range of motion and power and developing that. It's good if a person starts out with a smaller less powerful mover.