DS3 can't get the hang of rising trot, any tips?

[wigglybeezer]

DS3 (9) has started riding lessons. He goes to a scruffy but recommended small riding school. The teaching is different to the old days, ie. DS has not been put on the lead rain as the emphasis seems to be on confidence rather than style. I keep having to restrain myself from hissing "shorten your reins" as he passes me. DS is enjoying himself but cannot get the hand of rising to the trot, I think it's a combination of him not having the coordination of a more sporty child and the minimal instruction.

Tell me some encouraging tales of children who took a while to " get it" and any tips.

I am not generally a pushy mum type BTW and it's the first time I have felt these feelings of frustration, I suppose it's the first time any of the kids have chosen an activity that I loved as a child.

Personally I think it's quite hard for a child to get the hang of their 'up downs' while they are still learning to control the pony. My dd picked it up straight away but I had the pony on the lead rein so she didn't have to concentrate on anything else but getting the rhythm while I concentrated on not collapsing in a gasping heap. I also explained to her about trot being a two-time gait with two legs moving at the same time and got her to count one-two-one-two which she seemed to find easier to understand.

That 's the way I was taught too Pixel, plus we always had a neckstrap to hang on to and stop our hands bobbing up and down.

On the plus side, the teachers are fun, no shouting like my old school instructors.

I may get him to look at some clips on you tube, he hasn't't actually watched much riding before taking it up.

I think watching the videos is a very good idea. I'd recommend holding on to the saddle or a piece of mane and think of swinging hips backwards and forwards as he rises.

Another one here with a child slow to grasp rising trot although a few years younger than your DS. Lead rein definitely helped as did a change of instructor. It sounds obvious but her saying 'up down up down' each and every time soon made a difference. Strangely enough the previous instructors had not really bothered and as a mum paying a lot for lessons it was extremely frustrating. He is fine now so don't give up hope!

How long has he been riding? Both my sons and my instructor said rising trot is one of the hardest things for kids to master......maybe he just needs some time?

Our school gets the little ones doing it by getting them to have a go at sitting trot for half a side of the school, then rising, then sitting, They seem to be able to recognise the difference and their rising is suddenly better. Little ponies sometimes don't help much either as their legs go so fast so it's even more tricky. He will get the hang of it though.

I taught mine myself. On the lead rein with me running alongside and her holding onto a next strap and i got DSD to say 1, 2, so on the 1 she was going up and on the 2 she was sitting down, this stuck with her and when she went off lead rein she still managed to remember it by saying that to herself.

Try suggesting to him to let the pony "throw" him up, and that he has to control the sitting down gently. I teach several dozen kids a week and can generally get them riding within 1 or 2 lessons - don't encourage them to push up and certainly don't do sitting trot first (they get stuck in it!) but when we have a first trot we encourage them to bobble as much as they like, let the pony throw their heads up to the ceiling (keeping them going "up" rather than tipping forward etc) and they have to sit down as gently as possible - they tend to find the rhythm easily, I think endless shouting up down up down is confusing and frustrating - by the time they have heard the command and tried to put it into practice they are half way around the arena! I also hold stirrups/ankles steady for the first few trots as the only thing stopping them finding the rhythm is usually wobbly lower legs, affecting uppper body balance. Also to add to agree with other posters, I always have an older rider in the school with beginners so they can SEE what they are trying to do, otherwise it doesn't really make any sense and they might think they are going up and down just fine as they are! Sorry that was a bit long and garbelled!