How To Post On A Horse: Beginner's Guide

What is posting on a horse? Posting on a horse means rising out of the saddle and returning to it in rhythm with the horse’s trot. This helps both you and the horse stay comfortable during faster gaits.

Learning proper horse riding techniques is key to a good ride. Posting is one of the first big skills new riders learn. It makes riding more fun and safer. This guide will walk you through every step. We will cover everything from getting ready on the ground to finding your rhythm in the saddle. Good beginner horseback riding starts with mastering this skill.

Getting Ready for the Ride

Before you even think about posting, you need to be mounted safely and securely. This involves preparation on the ground. Proper saddling a horse and checking your horse tack are vital steps for riding safety.

Preparing Your Horse and Tack

A safe ride starts before you ever approach the horse. You must ensure the horse is ready and all equipment is secure. This involves basic stable management practices.

Grooming and Inspection: Always check your horse for injuries. Make sure their coat is clean.
Saddling Up: Place the saddle pad, then the saddle, securely on the horse’s back. Use a properly fitted girth (the strap under the belly) that is tight enough for riding but not painful for the horse. You should be able to fit two fingers snugly under the girth.
Bridle Check: Ensure the bridle fits well. The bit should sit comfortably in the horse’s mouth. Check that the reins are not tangled.

Mounting a Horse Safely

Mounting a horse correctly prevents startling the horse and keeps you balanced.

Approach from the Left Side: Always mount from the left (the near side).
Use a Step or Stool (If Needed): If you are short or the horse is tall, use a mounting block. This helps you avoid pulling on the saddle horn or pad.
Hold the Reins: Hold the reins loosely in your left hand. You can also gently rest your left hand on the pommel (front of the saddle).
Stirrup Placement: Place your left foot firmly into the stirrup.
The Push: Push off the ground with your right foot. Swing your right leg smoothly over the horse’s back. Do not bump the horse’s rump.
Settle Gently: Sit down softly into the saddle. Do not plop down. Adjust your feet in the stirrups. Both stirrups should feel about the same length.

Establishing Basic Control

Once mounted, practice the basics before asking for a trot. You must control the horse at a walk first. Check your seat position and your contact with the reins. Good horse care includes listening to the horse’s responses to your aids.

Deciphering the Trot

The trot is a two-beat gait. This means the horse moves its legs in diagonal pairs. One diagonal moves forward, then the other diagonal moves forward. This creates a regular up-and-down motion.

Identifying the Diagonal

Knowing which diagonal you are on is important. This affects when you post and when you sit.

Leg Movement	Diagonal Pair	Example
Left Front & Right Hind Move Together	Right Diagonal	The horse’s outside leg on the right side is moving.
Right Front & Left Hind Move Together	Left Diagonal	The horse’s outside leg on the left side is moving.

When the horse’s outside front leg swings forward, that is the diagonal you are on. For example, if the horse’s right front leg moves forward, you are on the right diagonal.

The Mechanics of Posting: Step-by-Step Guide

Posting is essentially timed rising and sitting. The goal is to rise just as the horse’s inside hind leg pushes off the ground. You absorb the shock when you sit down lightly. This conserves energy for both of you.

Phase 1: The Ascent (Rising Up)

This movement should be quiet and upward, not forward.

Look Forward: Keep your eyes up, looking where you want to go. Do not stare at the horse’s neck.
Engage Your Core: Tighten your abdominal muscles slightly. This gives you stability.
Use Your Legs: Apply gentle pressure with your lower legs, just behind the girth area. Think of your legs squeezing slightly to start the upward motion. Your heels should stay down.
Lift: Push your seat up out of the saddle. Your weight should transfer mostly to your feet in the stirrups. You should rise just high enough so that your seat clears the saddle leather. Do not over-rise.
Alignment Check: Your knee should be slightly bent, and your heel should be down. Your body stays aligned over your heel. Do not let your weight swing forward onto your knees.

Phase 2: The Suspension (At the Top)

This is the brief moment where you are hovering above the saddle.

Maintain your balance directly over your heels.
Keep a light, steady contact with the reins. Your hands should move slightly forward and up with the horse’s head motion. This is called following the motion. Do not pull back.

Phase 3: The Descent (Sitting Down)

This must be a controlled lowering, not a collapse.

Release: As the horse’s diagonal pair prepares to hit the ground, begin to relax your leg muscles slightly.
Lower Gently: Allow your seat bones to sink back down into the saddle. Use your leg muscles to control the speed of your descent.
Absorb the Motion: Think of your hips and knees acting like shock absorbers. They take up the impact when you return to the saddle.
Return to Seat: Settle back into a balanced seat. Your weight should rest primarily on your seat bones, supported by your legs.

Coordinating with the Horse’s Trot

The secret to smooth posting is timing. You post with the horse, not against it.

Posting on the Outside Diagonal: The general rule for beginners is to post on the outside diagonal. This means you rise when the outside leg on the far side of the horse moves forward.
The Rhythm: Rise, pause, sit. Rise, pause, sit. Try to match this rhythm to the horse’s steps. If you post too slowly, you will get left behind. If you post too fast, you will bounce.

Troubleshooting Common Posting Mistakes

Many new riders struggle with timing, bouncing, or leaning. Good equestrian skills involve correcting these issues early.

The Bouncing Problem

Bouncing happens when you rise too high or sit down too hard.

Cause: Usually, this means you are rising too far off the saddle or you are not using your leg muscles to control the descent.
Fix: Try rising just an inch or two off the saddle. Focus on squeezing your thighs lightly as you go up, and then slowly relaxing your thighs as you come down. Let your hips move slightly forward and back with the motion.

Leaning Forward

Leaning forward puts pressure on the horse’s forehand and makes it hard to steer.

Cause: You are relying too much on your hands for balance, or you are pushing your weight forward with your toes instead of driving upward from your heels.
Fix: Practice rising without holding the reins tightly. You can ask a helper to hold the reins for a moment if needed. Focus on keeping your shoulders directly over your hips, and your hips directly over your heels. Think “tall spine.”

Loss of Rhythm or Timing

This is the most common issue. You might find yourself sitting when you should be rising.

Cause: Not knowing which diagonal you are on, or not listening to the horse’s feet.
Fix: Focus only on the horse’s rhythm. Listen for the sound: clip-clop, clip-clop. Feel which diagonal leg hits the ground first. If the outside leg on the right hits first, you rise as it pushes off. If you lose the rhythm, slow down to a walk, find your balance, and start the trot again slowly.

Finding the Correct Diagonal

How do you know if you are on the right diagonal? The correct diagonal makes the ride smooth. The incorrect diagonal feels jarring.

The Feel Test

When you are on the correct diagonal (the outside diagonal), the motion feels balanced. Your hips move smoothly up and down.

When you are on the incorrect diagonal (the inside diagonal), you will feel a slight bump or jolt every other beat. It feels like you are constantly fighting the horse’s motion.

The Helper Test (The “Count”)

If you have an instructor or helper, ask them to watch.

Start trotting on one diagonal.
Have your helper call out: “Rise!” when you should rise.
If you rise correctly with their call every time, you are on the right diagonal.
If you rise after their call, or if you rise twice in a row, you are on the wrong diagonal.

The Corner Test

This is a practical test used often in horse riding techniques.

When a horse turns a corner (say, to the left), they naturally shift their weight to their outside hind leg (the right hind leg).
To stay balanced during a left turn, you should sit down as the horse’s outside (right) hind leg pushes off. Therefore, you should be posting on the right diagonal when turning left.
If you are posting on the left diagonal while turning left, the horse struggles to balance underneath you.

Summary for Changing Diagonals:
If you are turning left, use the right diagonal. If you are turning right, use the left diagonal.

Transitioning: Moving Between Gaits

Smooth transitions are a sign of good riding. You need to know how to move from walk to trot, trot to walk, and how to change diagonals while trotting.

Walk to Trot

This is where you start posting.

Sit squarely in the saddle at the walk.
Apply gentle leg pressure to ask for more energy.
As the horse picks up the trot, be ready to begin your upward motion following the rhythm described above. Don’t wait until you are already moving; prepare as you ask for the trot.

Trot to Walk

When you want to slow down, you must stop posting.

Sit deep into the saddle, absorbing the motion.
Use your voice (a soft “whoa”) or gentle rein cues.
As the horse slows, consciously stop the rising motion and sink back into your seat. You sit the slowing trot until the horse breaks into a walk.

Changing Diagonals While Trotting

You must change diagonals when you have been on the same one for too long (usually after 10 to 15 strides) or when you change direction.

Sit Two Beats: The key is to sit down for two full steps of the trot. This temporarily breaks the posting rhythm.
The Sequence:
- Wait for the horse’s outside leg to land (this is your current diagonal).
- As the next beat comes (the inside diagonal), let your seat stay down.
- As the next beat comes (the outside leg of the new diagonal), rise up.
Practice: Walk-Trot-Walk. When moving from a left turn to a right turn, you must change diagonals. Practice this slowly. It takes time to feel natural.

Maintaining Your Position While Posting

Your upper body posture is crucial for stability and communication, regardless of your horse care knowledge or stable management routine.

The Role of Hands and Reins

When posting, your hands must move with the horse’s head and neck. If your hands stay locked in one spot, you will either pull the horse’s mouth out of balance or get slapped in the face when the horse extends its neck slightly.

Follow the Motion: Imagine holding a soft, imaginary ball between your hands. As the horse’s neck swings slightly forward and down, your hands should move slightly forward and down. As the neck comes back slightly, your hands move back.
Light Contact: Maintain light contact. If you grip hard, you will bounce more because you are fighting the horse’s natural movement.

The Role of Legs and Heels

Your legs are your primary engine for posting.

Heels Down: Keeping your heels down anchors your lower leg. This prevents your feet from sliding forward in the stirrups, which throws your weight forward.
Knee and Thigh Contact: Your knee should touch the saddle flap lightly. You push up mainly with your calves and the balls of your feet, not by clamping hard with your thighs. If you clamp hard with your thighs, you will lift your seat too high and lose control.

Safety Considerations in Beginner Horseback Riding

Safety always comes first. Posting requires more balance than sitting the walk. Always prioritize riding safety.

Use Proper Footwear: Wear boots with a distinct heel. This prevents your foot from slipping completely through the stirrup. This is vital horse tack safety.
Helmet Use: Always wear an approved riding helmet. Falls happen, especially when learning new movements.
Start Slow: Never try posting at a fast trot right away. Begin at a slow, relaxed working trot.
Listen to Your Horse: If the horse seems tense, agitated, or is moving unevenly, stop posting. Return to the walk and regain control. A horse that is rushing is not ready for posting practice.

Advanced Tips for Better Posting

Once you can post without thinking too hard, focus on making it look effortless. This separates competent riders from beginners.

Developing Softness

Good posting looks like floating. This softness comes from relaxation in the joints.

Ankle Joints: Allow your ankles to flex and extend like springs.
Knee Joints: Allow your knees to slightly absorb the impact, acting as hinges.
Hip Joints: Let your hips open and close with the horse’s back motion. Do not lock your hips stiffly.

Posting in Different Situations

As your equestrian skills grow, you will apply posting in different scenarios.

On the Circle: When turning, remember the corner rule. You must post on the outside diagonal to stay balanced through the curve.
Hills: When going uphill, your horse will likely shorten its stride and slow down. You may need to post slightly faster or sit down for a moment to encourage them to use their hindquarters more effectively. Going downhill, the horse tends to reach out, so you might need to sit more to keep your balance steady.

The Importance of Groundwork and Horse Care

While posting is a ridden exercise, its success relies heavily on what happens before you get on. Good horse care leads to a willing partner.

A horse that is physically comfortable and mentally prepared will move more smoothly, making your job easier. Check the saddle fit regularly. Ensure your horse is not sore anywhere, as pain will lead to uneven movement which makes posting impossible. Regular vet checks and good stable management practices ensure your horse is fit for work.

Summary of Key Posting Steps

Action	Focus Point	Goal
Preparation	Light leg pressure, eyes up	Initiate the trot smoothly.
Rising	Push through the feet, lift seat	Rise just enough to clear the saddle.
Suspension	Stay aligned over heels	Maintain balance briefly.
Sitting	Control descent with leg muscles	Absorb shock softly into the seat.
Timing	Post with the outside diagonal	Achieve a smooth, rhythmic ride.

Mastering mounting a horse, riding securely, and then learning to post are foundational beginner horseback riding steps. Take your time. Practice at the walk until you feel completely secure with your balance before asking for the trot again.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How long should I post before sitting the trot?

Most instructors recommend sitting the trot after about 10 to 15 strides, or about 30 seconds, especially when learning. Sitting the trot uses more energy for both you and the horse. You should only sit if you can maintain your balance and control without bouncing or gripping tightly with your legs. If you start feeling unsteady, immediately return to posting.

What should I do if I accidentally get on the wrong diagonal?

If you realize you are on the wrong diagonal (you feel the jarring motion), do not panic. Simply sit down for two full steps of the trot, and then rise again. This action will naturally place you on the correct diagonal for the next sequence. You can change diagonals while turning as well, as described above.

Can I learn to post without a saddle?

Learning to post without a saddle (bareback) is an advanced skill. For beginners, always use a properly fitted saddle. A saddle provides security through the stirrups, which helps anchor your lower leg while you learn to coordinate your seat and leg muscles. Focus on mastering posting with proper horse tack first.

How do I stop myself from leaning forward when I post?

Leaning forward usually means you are using your core incorrectly or pushing too much weight into your toes. To correct this, focus intensely on keeping your weight pushed down through your heels. Imagine your weight sinking down into the horse’s back via your heels. Practice rising straight up and down, rather than forward and up.

How To Post On A Horse: Beginner’s Guide