Teaching medium trot

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sfward

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Does anyone know how you 'teach' a horse to do medium trot/lengthened strides? Or does it just tend to come when they get more engaged and up in front? As mine doesn't appear to be a natural at this and always get crap marks in dressage tests with it in!
 
They won't be able to do a 'proper' medium trot that will get over a 7 in a dressage test until they are more engaged and 'up' in front, but you can teach lengthening from early on.

The way I have been taught to do it is to play around with the trot in the school and out on hacks, speeding up, slowing down, asking for more impulsion, and then suddenly you let them go accross the arena and it just happens!

Some do find it physically very difficult though, and never have the scope of movement to get it. I always believed that this was to do with having a too upright shoulder, but was told recently by a top showing judge that it's more to do with being 'tied in at the elbow'!

I think the way they're built must also play a part: if they're very long backed or naturally downhill, they will struggle to engage and get up in front.

You should be able to show some difference in your trot work though, even if the horse finds it hard to do medium, which will be enough to get a respectable mark!
 
ye i find practise at home, maybe put some poles out and practise getting 3 strides (medium trot) then 5/6 strides for working trot !!

they do have to be up infront though and nice a loose !!

can you not get a trainer to come out and help you for a bit ??
 
Thanks, all sensible comments! i've been playing around in the school, sort of coming, practising out hacking is a good idea. Doesn't help she is quite on her forehand at the moment but sure that will improve. I will try and get in a few more dressage lessons!
 
What my instructor did is put out 5 trotting poles at a distance that your horse can manage easily probably 4.5 - 5 feet apart then gradually increase the distance between them and push the horse as you get towards them and release the front end a little so the horse can stretch. ONce the horse can manage the new distance move them again. Usually once horses realise they can do this they can get rid of the poles.
 
not strictly medium trot but I was taught to introduce shortening and lengthening of strides by doing a 10m circle in sitting trot in the corner and then go into rising trot with plenty of leg as you go down the long side. I'm willing to be shot down in flames by more experienced people saying this is a bad idea but it worked for me in teaching a novice horse to lengthen and you could practise it a bit to introduce the idea until you can find an instructor to work with you
 
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