Extended Trot?

[PonyFeet10]

Hi everyone, a bit bored and have been having a think about my youngster (2 1/2yo) when he is older and ridden. I would love to teach him to do a proper extended trot but have no idea where to start (I do want to teach him lots when he's older! lol ). Also would his breeding hold him back? As he is a Welsh Section D..

How would YOU teach YOUR horse to do a lovely 'proper' extended trot?

 

[zoelouisem]

Ill let somebody else explain, bit dislexic so can do things in practice but putting it into words not so easy

But his breeding, he should be able to do an amazing extended trot, my friend used to have one and OMG it had a lovely forward big strided trot, or course it looked slightly different to a 17hh dressage horse but its was still stunning and flashy!!

 

[Munchkin]

Welsh Ds have a lovely extension!

To teach a 'proper' extension you first need to have established basic shortening and lengthening. Collection comes before extension. The horse needs to be working correctly from behind and up through the shoulder into the bridle (e.g. not have its head twiddled into a false outline and be tottering along on the forehand). Once you have this, your extension will come easily by allowing your horse to lengthen its outline and subsequently its stride.

Do not increase speed, keep a nice rhythm and let your horse push itself up and forward. Ride a definite transition into the extension and a definite transition back to working trot.

What you see in the showring these days is usually just 'flicky toes' rather than true extensions but unfortunately judges don't seem to know the difference.

 

[Kokopelli]

Breeding won't hold them back any breed can do it but some would be more exaggerant then others.

First of all you need to establish a horse who is very responsive to you and your aids, and can do good transitions within the pace, so your horse needs to be able to shift his weight back onto his hindquarters when you ask and you should be able to work towards collection in all paced before you teach extension.

Also your horse should know how to do a good medium trot before you go up to an extended. You basically need tones of impulsion and collect your horse then when there is enough room ask your horse to lengthen which involves the horse going back onto his hindquarters and taking bigger steps but be careful not to go faster. This is a big mistake, I'm not very good at explaining it :/

Tbh its one of them things very hard to explain through a forum, more like face to face. Get a good dressage instructor and make sure that from teh start you are asking your horse to go properlly. A good dressage insturctor will help you immensly

 

[PonyFeet10]

Thankyou for your replies!

I rode a horse at college and when I asked for the transition he carried out the most absolutely amazing, stunning and breath taking extended trot I have ever ridden in my life! I have never felt anything like it! (This is going back 3 years and i still haven't forgotten what it was like!!!) and have always wanted to teach a horse to do it myself.

Do you think it is possible to start teaching collection and shortening and lengthening when long-reigning my boy? (I don't mind jogging either as i'm trying to get fit ) Would it be good to start on the ground before he's ridden?

Many thanks for your wonderful and very helpful replies!!!! xx

 

[PonyFeet10]

Breeding won't hold them back any breed can do it but some would be more exaggerant then others.

First of all you need to establish a horse who is very responsive to you and your aids, and can do good transitions within the pace, so your horse needs to be able to shift his weight back onto his hindquarters when you ask and you should be able to work towards collection in all paced before you teach extension.

Also your horse should know how to do a good medium trot before you go up to an extended. You basically need tones of impulsion and collect your horse then when there is enough room ask your horse to lengthen which involves the horse going back onto his hindquarters and taking bigger steps but be careful not to go faster. This is a big mistake, I'm not very good at explaining it :/

Tbh its one of them things very hard to explain through a forum, more like face to face. Get a good dressage instructor and make sure that from teh start you are asking your horse to go properlly. A good dressage insturctor will help you immensly

I may be asking you to come and visit in a couple of years! (I do live in Cheltenham )!! Thankyou, this advice is great. I can't wait to teach him, will be an amazing experience!

Oh, and i do want to teach him the Spanish walk too haha!! That will be fun xx

 

[Kokopelli]

I may be asking you to come and visit in a couple of years! (I do live in Cheltenham )!! Thankyou, this advice is great. I can't wait to teach him, will be an amazing experience!

Oh, and i do want to teach him the Spanish walk too haha!! That will be fun xx

Well I hopefully might be an instructor by then so you never know

I can't see why you can't teach on long rein just remember he will not be very strong so don't ask for too much collection.