Arabian Trot (gushing post!)

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bluewhippet

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I have had my Arab gelding for 2 years and he has had a lot of issues - never worked properly before, lopsided pelvis, badly fitting saddle, muscle wastage. We have both been working very hard to get him a top line and to stop hollowing his back and to work long and low.

When he is in the field and sometimes on the lunge he will go into amazing show off Arab trot but now he does it when ridden. If I just push him on slightly from working trot, he seems to get springs on each hoof. The first time I didn't know what was happening and now he does it when asked and it is just amazing.

He is now 10 and beginning to work properly. He is very low mileage and just hope we have years together.
 
This is a lovely post. I'm a way behind you with my lad, as he is just starting to accept the bit and I'm happy if he goes when I say and stops when I say! We have started with a similar base to you. The Arabian trot isn't something he does very often and certainly not with me on board as he's quite conservative, preferring to save his energy for killer pigeons in the hedge. Well done to you both! Can we have some photos?
 
The arab trot is unbelievable isnt it? Love it when they really get going! Even better when you have two arabs egging each other on!
 
Hippona, Thanks. We could never do a log in the woods. Would be a standstill from him with me jumping over the log. And I know what you mean about lunging. I have just got him walking on the lunge.

Sadken, it has taken us ages to get anything together, In part because I had to keep stopping due to saddle fit - couldn't find anyone to fit one for the first year, and I can't do much when the children are around. But finally it feels like we are getting somewhere. Not aiming for anything as I am totally uncompetitive and don't have the money or transport anyway, but just want us both to improve.

I will take some new photos and put them up. He is looking so much better this year and has now lost half his body weight because I groomed out his winter coat a few days' ago.
 
Nothing quite like it is there :D

It is harder for them with the weight of a rider but with the correct schooling to strengthen the core abdominal muscles (and particularly if they haven't been subjected to the physical inversion of modern in-hand arabian showing which sets them many steps backwards...) it is the most incredible feeling of flying :D
 
That is great to hear that it is all about an improvement in his muscles. I always wondered why he didn't do it with a rider. Do ridden Arabs trot like that when they are shown? I am a complete ignoramus and was going to ask his breeder when I see her sometime soon (along with a million other questions).

He is still a bit worried about new road markings and too ages to continue to canter through changes in terrain.
 
Avonbrook, what does inhand showing do to the physical development? Mine wasn't shown inhand, just was born or became lopsided. Would love to know more...
 
Yup.....mostly in hand showing....
Mine used to have issues with different surfaces, or changes in texture or colour. Say, darker tarmac, patterns in mud etc.....he used to snort or stop dead.Thats stopped now. I think when they are bred to show, they have gaps in their education that theu wouldnt have if they were intended to be ridden.
I had to take mine back to basics, its been a long road but hes getting there. Hes actually turned out be very brave and loves hacking out. He really tries hard to please bless him :)
I love arabs, you get such a bond wirh them :)
 
I was watching mine prancing round the field this afternoon, she used to do it a lot when she was younger but saddle issues similar to OP have stopped her moving as well as she should - we've been working on it on the lunge/long reins and at 23 she still manages the odd float!

It is the most amazing feeling when it happens, she tends to mostly do it if spooking or spotted another horseon a ride which isn't ideal, but I don't mind cos I love it!
 
I just love watching my girl. She's just rising 3 so I'm only doing playing with her right now - so mostly watching her and admiring how pretty she is lol.

She was bred to show but I've had since before she was 2 and she didn't do much showing. She's a very laid back lady and has got even more laid back since I've had her! :D
 
A lot of trotting in the in hand ring actually makes them go really hollow and ruins the trot - just look at some of the videos, you'll be hard pressed to find a horse that doesn't break into canter or that isn't completely psyched and hollow. However, you do get the odd one with a good, calm handler who has the horse with them, matching them, and they are forwards and straight - that's how it should be done. Horses who have been trained/shown by the latter type of handler and going to transition into ridden work more easily because they will have the beginnings of the right muscles and won't be hollow/off their heads.

Spud is actually quite deceptive as he never 'feels' like he's doing his big trot - he is really comfortable and smooth. In fact he feels like he's got the handbrake on a lot of the time, trundling along going 'lala, fairies', and it's only if you pass a window and see your reflection that you realise that he's actually really motoring. The GPS has been a godsend in that respect as it stops me nagging him.
 
Hippona, mine is the same - but not because of showing - just that nobody has bothered to ride him, either scared or uninterested. He is not laid back and not brave but he is very touching the way he really does trust me now. We hack alone most of the time, and he will spook and spin but when I insist he does just calm down and go forwards. If I fall off (which I did a lot at first) he would stop and wait very close. He is very fidgety and hot but also so interested in whatever I am doing. He really seems to love being ridden. I am sure lots of horses are like this but riding school ponies usually (quite understandably) aren't.

Esther, thanks. I will watch some videos of showing.
 
My boys 24 and anytime he is loose schooled he does his Arab trot , rarely does it with me on him unless going past a field of in season mares , typical LAD still at 24 !
 
Beau jangles said:
My boys 24 and anytime he is loose schooled he does his Arab trot , rarely does it with me on him unless going past a field of in season mares , typical LAD still at 24 !
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Mine is such a show off that he does it on the lunge if he spots a person on the muck heap or if my daughters are on the fence watching (anything to avoid serious working). But it is the first time he has done it with me on top and at my request.
 
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