Please help me understand - medium trot

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Trottingalong

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I am really sorry if this sounds a stupid post, but I've got a niggly question so thought I'd best ask it:

What aids do you give your horse to ask for Medium Trot?

We've had it, now it feels like we've lost it again. I'm worried that I'm giving him mixed signals.

So, my question is: "What do you do?"

Thank you
 
Don't know the answer but I remember Rosie saying ages ago that once Frodo had learnt (was strong enough?) to do it, he did it all the time for a while because he was so pleased with himself. Sorry, that's no help at all is it :o.
 
So how I ride my mare into medium trot is like this.

Once warmed up I ride a circle in the corner of the long side im going ride for.
Make sure she is listening and on the aids.
I push her from my seat and soften my hand slightly.
Think that you are riding up a big hill to make sure that I keep her up and not onto the forehand.
Ride the downward transition and keep balanced and then do another circle in the corner.

You need to keep the rhythm the same just encourage a larger step.

Best of asking for a slight extension and then bring back keeping in balance than going hell for leather.

I also find that if something isn't quite right with my mare that her extensions are the first thing to "go" so to speak.

Good luck!
 
Thank you dianchi - that makes a lot of sense.

I think I've often kicked and therefore he's rushed it, or fallen flat on me. And also I find I rush in my rising which probably also puts him off balance.
 
If anything your rising should take longer with the longer stride rather than faster

Remember your are looking for bigger than quicker.
 
Depending on on your horse it can help to ask for the extension in the stride after cantering. For my old mare it was asking for canter from walk, it got her fired up and wanting to give more so that all I needed to do was hold her with my seat and a little half halt as I came of the track. I pushed on with leg on the down beat of the trot and would only need to do this for about 1 or 2 strides. The horse has to be working from behind and powering through so lots of transitions in the lead up to get the back end under. You're aiming for the feeling that the other side has come up quick, but without feeling you have gone like the clappers to get there.
 
found dianchi reply very helpful! i have just started asking for medium trot on my 8 yr old.

And agree with nugget that it is definitely easier after having a canter.

I am just trying to get 2 or 3 strides each time at the moment.

I was told that my rising should not increase in speed either which helps me to think about the speed of the trot
 
With my mare I used to half halt a couple of times coming round the corner to balance her, and then as I come onto the diagonal just rise slightly bigger and longer and soften the hand forward and that was enough to allow her to increase her stride length :)

Hope that makes sense.
 
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