In Western riding, do you post or sit the trot?

[Crystal]

I noticed that at the riding stables I take lessons at, one instructor will push for the student to post the trot while another will not (for Western).

Personally, as someone still new to riding,I find this confusing. But I suppose there is some flexibility when it comes to riding and how to do it.

If you ride Western, do you post or sit the trot? Do you believe there is a right or wrong answer to this?

 

[Geralynn]

I only ride for the fun of riding and i prefer posting. I'm scared that if I sit the trot my head or teeth will bounce out/off. It's what you prefer when you are riding for fun!

 

[Barrel Racer]

In practice it doesn't matter, but in the show ring you sit it.

 

[Jade Orchid]

If I didn't post the trot on my old horse I wouldn't have any teeth left. LOL My younger paint is very smooth, obversely. It has it's benefits in different situations and with different horses.

 

[Fennec Fox]

You can do either, but in the show ring you sit the trot.

 

[sheedalaadie]

it depends, if im jogging (slow trot) or trotting my smooth mare, i sometimes sit. if im riding my other mare, i always post because shes choppy and uncomfortable to sit on. the only time its wrong to post western is in the show ring.

 

[Kayla]

Some post in a western saddle to warm up there horse, but in a show ring you sit the trot, and it is rather slow on a loose reign.

 

[hjalmer]

Since western stirrups are naturally longer than english, it will be harder to post. I dont post and never have, because of the stirrups, and deep seat.However, it is easier for the horse for you to make a updownupdown pattern with your body, not you seat. Mybe the instructor has had english training.
So dont post. Leave that for the english riders!

 

[?ƒ??? ???????]

In western, it's called the jog.

Usually we only post to create impulsion or suppleness, to save the horse's back and our bum and to create variations of speed at the jog.

In the show ring, you sit, but while training, you can do either or.

 

[wasabi]

You should do both.

Neither is "right or wrong" because you should know how to ask for a sitting trot and for a posting trot in western.

Maybe the instructor who only asks for the sitting trot is into showing and only does the jog trot, which you only sit to. ?? Why not ask?

 

[mcgraw_hill_fan62394]

when i rode western, for the nice equitation and pleasure trots you want to sit. but if you are just fooling around at home and having fun, to lengthen the trot you want to post. hope this helps ?