Trotting

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Keren

Keren

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Jan 21, 2006
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My little patch of earth, Perth, WA, Australia
Bear in mind I dont know much here ...

Most of the time, Patch has a rather rough trot. But riding him yesterday, I noticed there were a few times when he had a really beautiful smooth trot, soooooo much nicer.

So ... WHY IS THAT? And how do I encourage/tell him to trot like that ... lol it was lovely. I want more of it. I would love him to do that all the time
 
Been going through the same thing with my horse. Just get him trotting and pick up the reins as if to slow him down just a little bit. Then release when he smoothes out. After doing this a few times (maybe 1.5 million) he'll figure out what you're asking for, and do it.
 
What Jim is describing is collection..its basicaly asking the horse to round up his back and "track up" underneath himself..and yes, it will create a more pleasurable trot then a faster, unbalanced trot will.

when you pick up your reins, you also want to make sure you are pushing with your legs as well. that creates the implusion from behind and your hands(the bit and reins) control and channel that impulsion..if that makes sense???
 
Good trot is from the horse on the bit or not resisting the bit and being hollowed in the back. Want a good trot then make sure the horse is not resisting by pulling or coming up above the bit. Try more posting trot so that you can stay up off the horses back and this will keep the horse from hollowing the back and becoming stiff. In more advanced training working towards collection improves the trot dramatically but until you get there at least make sure you are not adding in any resistances from bad hands and or green horse combo and just let the horse go on some self carriage and stay in balance with the horse.
 
This may not be the case, but i have found that sometimes the more you ride them the smoother (collect) they will get. Esp. if they havent been rode in awhile. I dont ride in the winter months and i know that dee (quater horse) will be rough the first few time out, and she is "cold backed".

Beckett
 

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