How to teach a horse to trot up?

[CrazyDog]

I have a very laid back showjumper that I would like to show in a few working hunter classes. The jumping should be fine, but I don't know how to teach him to trot up. He is not bargy at all...on the other hand, he will need quite a lot of encouragement to trot in hand at all, let alone in a way that shows his movement off.

Any suggestions?

 

[kerilli]

have someone behind him to give him a flick with a schooling whip to give him the idea the first few times. if he's ever hunted, make hunting horn noises under your breath... works miracles! running really fast alongside can gee them up a bit and make them think it's fun to begin with, then you can slow to a more decorous pace once he's with you.

 

[viola]

Is he food orientated? Something tasty in your hand might help

I normally start on the lunge and make sure the horse trots forward well. I then start lungeing in more of a square than a circle walking a few steps alongside the horse then back to the middle. I try to get closer and closer to the horse until I can run a few steps alongside it with it trotting well forward.
Then I would position a horse next to the fence and walk it on a leadrope with a schooling whip in my other hand. Once we have a good walk I would give a trot command exactly the same as I used on the lunge while I start jogging next to it. If the horse responds to the voice commands well it should do at least a few steps. Reward and build on that.
I am sure there are other ways, this has worked for me

I would wear a hat - had an interesting session with a young mare some time ago. Very laid back but thought it was a great fun to start a massive bucking bronco next to me!