[eaferg]

Ok, so I'm going to start taking English lessons tomorrow. I've ridden western all my life so it's a big change. Thursday the trainer at my new barn evaluated me and said I had good balance & seat and she liked how I held my hands, and I had pretty good potential in English. So I'm deciding to persue it.

My trainer briefly made me post and taught me diagonals, so I'm going to be working on that. My question is:
What muscles do you use to post? I was pushing off my stirrups with my legs but I don't think thats right? Because it causes me to raise my heel.
Thanks for reading!

 

[StormyBlues]

ummm, it's hard to think about. I use my theighs I guess, but I also use my claves too, really it's just building up your muscles, all of them. You'll end up getting it down that it's so easy you don't even think about it when you start trotting.

 

[eventerdrew]

I use my ankles and calves mostly. When your heel is down, just think about your ankles as springs that you bounce off of.

 

[DustyDiamond]

The more you post the easier it is to get it and figure it out.

 

[roro]

The real power in posting is your core and hips, although your legs help out. Do not squeeze with your legs when you post as that will only unbalance you. Think of lengthening your leg down to the heel when you post and holding yourself up with your core, with a free moving hip that allows the power of his hind legs to carry you both.

 

[eaferg]

Thanks all! So I think I'm doing it right, but I just need to work on my strength so that I can keep the heels down.

My inner thighs are still REALLY sore from thursdays riding lol

 

[eventerdrew]

^ they should be! haha. Western and English use many of the same muscles but I find it harder to do anything in a english saddle because there is simply less leather

 

[Spyder]

My question is:
What muscles do you use to post?

Actually I am a two finger typist. The hard part is balancing the computer on his withers.

 

[eaferg]

Ahaha. Spyder.
You clever one, you

 

[Fellen]

And also use your horses movement. You get pushed up anyway by your horses movement, but you see so many people almost working against that movement... But I guess that doesn't just count for posting... Anyway I'd concentrait on how the horse is moving.

 

[nirvana]

Like the others said core muscles and going with the horse.
If your having a hard time posting any exersise like sit up/crunches (core strengthening exersises) would help you.

A great exersise you can do on the horse to practise keeping your lower body still, and working your core/leg muscles is to stand straight up making sure you dont move your legs and heels up, stand there for as long as you can. Do it at the halt, then when you get confident you can do it at the walk, and then the trot (trot is really fun! :wink.

Hope this helps

 

[rocky pony]

LOL at Spyder's post..
Well anyway, all very good advice posted!