Extended trot

S

Spotted

Well-Known Member
Joined
29 April 2006
Messages
85
Location
England
Visit site
Hi

How do you train your horses to do extended trot or is it just a nature gift?

My horse is not naturally gifted and we seem to always end up "running". I watch in sheer amazement when someone floats past - not just extended but really elevated.

Is there a certain type/ confirmation that naturally pick it up (warmbloods) or do you think any horse can be taught?
confused.gif
 
Well Wolfie, im no Diva, but I understand what you're saying. I have a 3/4 TB and never thought 'we' would be able to float like the WBs. It took me only 2 weeks to teach her under instruction - yeay it feels fab. Would recommend if you dont have one, get a trainer to help you. Also, out hacking, hill starts at the trot may help.
 
Well, I own a connemara x, with the bloodlines of a gold fish. He really just isnt built for extended trot, his engine is more in front than behind. However under great duress we can manage a 7 at novice, just remember you have to show difference - lengthening of the frame and a slight lengthening of the stride, you dont need eternal wow factor!
 
Only two weeks! What did you have to do? I do have an instructor and she said to think about riding up steps, to be fair I think he is getting the idea as I have heard him overreach several times, but it is still quite hard not to just end up "running". To be honest my instructor and I have more work to do on getting him balanced before I start anything else, but I like to put in the challenges/trying to progress especially as now doing Novice tests.
 
My arab used to run on a bit, but he now does beautiful medium and extended - he's a toe flicker!!

I found that lots of work controlling the pace at trot really helped - lots of half halts, slowing the trot down then speeding it up, basically loads and loads of transitions within trot, so that you are controlling how fast the legs go, rather than the horse... we practised this for weeks and my instructor would get me on a 20m circle working trot then get me to ride one-half medium then back to working trot etc.... it's hard work (isn't everything) but you'll get there in the end.

Good luck x
 
It took Boss 3 years to truly understand extended trot and free up his connemara/tb shoulders enough to perform it (he got 7s in an advanced test)
Medium trot is obtainable to all horses, extended requires a much more advanced level of training in order for the horse to remain balanced
 
I agree with Pasha - lots of variation in trot, lenthening and shortening the stride, use the markers of the school as points at which to change so that you work on accuracy at the same time. Ride a 20m circle and practice extending the stride for half of it and really shortening for the other half.

Make sure your horse is really moving forward and that you are riding good half halts in the transitions to help with balance.

Good luck!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top