Exercises to encourage extension/lengthening?

[soloequestrian]

I was given my Welsh x TB because he was a bit tricky. It has taken a while, but he is starting to work quite nicely in the school - we can canter now without him throwing his teddy out. He is quite 'one paced' though - working trot is fine and we can slow a bit but we can't lengthen. He is compact and is able to come back onto his hocks really well, but doesn't seem willing to step under to take longer strides. As soon as I ask forward in trot, he either drops in front and rushes or stays up but canters. Does anyone have any simple exercises that I could use to trick him into taking some longer steps?
Thanks in advance!

 

[miayates1]

I've been taught two ways along the years and both worked well it depends on the horse.
One: really concentrate on collecting in your corners and then pushing him as hard as you can down the long side. Eventually he will begin to expect to go faster down the long side. Now you can focus on keeping the tempo the same with your rising but still travelling as quickly. I find this helps with a horse who's not sure of what yheyre doing as they expect it.

Another way I have been taught is by placing two poles at each end of the school along one side. Between these poles you want to try and take as few steps as possible until you don't think you can get any less in. Then using your seat in sitting trot try and control this so you can keep the same tempo all the way round the school.

Mia

 

[shampain]

Another way of working on shortening/lengthening with poles is, in its simplest form, to have two sets of poles down either long side (at least 4/5 poles if possible). Start with both sets at the most comfortable distance for his trotting strides, then slowly lengthen the distance between the poles on one side and shorten on the other (really need someone on the ground to do this!). With the collection, really work on drawing him up and ensuring to stay engaged through your core and back, allowing you to connect with his back and hind legs. For the lengthening, be careful that you don't throw away the contact, focus on really rising forward and up so that you can encourage him to move with more impulsion himself and to lengthen his stride. I'm pretty awful at explaining things but hopefully this makes a modicum of sense!