Medium trot/canter - tips?

[joolie]

As above really - it's probably been done to death! We always end up with 'hurried' or 'not enough ground cover' as we simply quicken rather than lengthen. Pony in question is a Welsh D and quite workmanlike in movement, she also tends to become a bit short in the neck/frame. Any tips or exercises to help strengthen and propel the hind end would be much appreciated!

 

[Shay]

Try hacking out with a horse who already knows medium trot. Then work together in that pace until it "clicks" with her. They tend to be more forward on a hack anyway and copying the pace from someone makes it easier for ned to understand the connection between the aid (assuming it is correct) and the pace required. We discovered this trick by accident a few years ago when attempting to teach medium paces for the first time and have since replicated it successfully several times. (But you do need to be clear on the correct aid or you'll just cause confusion.)

 

[Jnhuk]

Use poles to help horse understand that you are asking for longer steps not faster ones