Back pain while riding a horse at a trot can be a result
of several problems. Sometimes trotting backpain can
be caused whena beginner rider tries to ride the trot
by tensing their body instead of naturally riding and
falling with the movement of their horse. While it might
not be a good idea to practice it riding the sitting
trot for long periods, getting it down WILL help your
seat and will help you be generally more relaxed in
the saddle.
From my very first lesson (as an adult) I've ridden
with a classical dressage trainer- he had me sit the
trot for 6 weeks (18 lessons) before even teaching me
to post. It was HARD at first, but I'm really, really
glad he emphasized it, and I now prefer sitting a trot
to posting any day.
But about three months into riding I had my first real
confidence-shattering fall. My riding abilities and
everything I'd learned just seemed to go out the window-
I was uncomfortable in the saddle, and the sitting trot
that had been my favorite gait the week before caused
extreme pain in my neck and lower back!
Over the course of the next few weeks I slowly built
my confidence back up with time in the saddle and it
took about 3-4 weeks to begin to feel secure and relaxed
while mounted. I've noticed when I am tense and not
sitting the trot correctly that pain is right there,
but if I sit back into position and relax the pain goes
away almost immediately.
For me, the difference is in my butt and upper body.
When I trot, I try to sink back onto my seatbones, lean
my torso a little back, crunch forward with my abs (sort
of absorbing the trot into your stomach instead of backbone,
if that makes sense), stick my chest out, arch my shoulder
blades back and "drop" my shoulders. When
I feel the pain coming back, I notice that's when I'm
trying to sit more with my crotch and leaning forward
instead of sitting on my seatbones and keeping my shoulders
back.
