If your not posting then your just bouncing up and down in the saddle and it can unseat you easily. And frankly your butt would hurt.
It also saves the horse's spine.
speed: distance: will vary depending on your horse Walk Trot Canter Gallop
Western horseback riding is a specific discipline within equestrian sports. The style is characterized by a large, wide saddle with a moderately prominent cantle and a horn; the stirrups are set lower as compared to English riding styles. The horse's gait should be slow and smooth - there is no posting at the trot in Western riding, and the canter is slower and called a lope.
A sitting trot in English riding or hunt seat is simply a slower trot in which the rider does not post. The rider takes a deep seat and absorbs the horses movement without posting in the saddle.
Posting trot.
Posting trot.
No, posting or rising trot is a way to ride the trot and you can post any type of trot. Extended trot is where the horse lengthens it's trot stride to cover more ground. Typically this causes the trot to smooth out a bit making it easier to sit the trot.
Horseback riding is usually done in specially designed riding arenas. These arena must be large enough for the horse to be able to trot and canter and jump if desired. The footing is usually sand, bluestone (stone dust), rubber, or some mixture of the three--there are also some synthetically designed arena footings developed specifically for horseback riding. Besides arenas, horseback riding can be done in any open field or clearing with fair level and rock-free/hole-free ground, or on a trails.
All dressage tests do, besides introductary level. But if you're at a show, the only ones that don't are "walk/trot" classes! :D
The posting trot
Over long distances, it is better for the horse's back if you can do a rising (or posting) trot, standing and sitting with every alternate beat of the horse's hooves. In high level dressage tests, riders sit to the trot, and this is done before canter transitions in general English riding.
The trot, whether it be extended, sitting, or posting is still a 2-beat gate.
To preform the sitting trot you should already have been riding at a posting trot and developed a good sense of balance. Begin by sitting deeply but lightly in the saddle with your weight in the balls of your feet and lightly wrap your legs around the horses barrel. As the horse trots try to let your ankles and knees absorb the impact but not bounce. You should be able to stay steady in the saddle enough to do a sitting trot.