What does it mean by a 'flat trot'?

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lilyhopkins_

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Me and my boy recently just did our second ever dressage test (scoring 68%). The first one we did I was told he was lacking energy and needed to be more forward going so this time I was mostly focusing on getting him going. I though he was going a lot more forward going but the judge said he was 'rhymic but flat'. I'm quite confused what they mean by 'flat'? Could anyone explain?
 
I'm no expert, but it I read that on my dressage sheet I would take it to mean that there was no "lift" in the trot and the horse was probably not using its back and hind leg properly.

Good score though, and its a great starting point if you already have the rhythm :)
 
Flat to me would mean no real enthusiasm. Forward going but perhaps not actually picking his legs/feet up. No bounce to the trot. My mare goes what I'd call 'flat' when although she's working and forwards I've lost her attention and she's switched off. Forward going isn't necessarily all about speed, I personally don't think.
 
I would suggest that the judge was alluding to the fact that your horse may be lacking any clear moment of suspension between the diagonal beats.
 
Think how Western-broke horses trot - very smooth, low action, energy efficient action. Then look at something like an arab showing off in trot. You need to be looking for something more like the latter. The best trot comes from behind the saddle, not a flashy high knee action but push from the engine giving lift to the whole body and all the legs. A bit like trotting over raised poles. The trouble is , everyone has got used to this sort of thing from the naturally inclined warmbloods and everything else is seen as under-performing. Back when most people competed on TBs or TBX, the action would have been much flatter and perfectly acceptable.
 
it can mean that although your rhythm is there the trot is undeveloped, but you have the main thing there, you need the rhythm before anything else can develop.

don`t be tempted into rushing the horse along, ride within the rhythm, do your school movements, ride gently and the trot can improve beyond anything you might imagine!
 
LJR said:
I'm no expert, but it I read that on my dressage sheet I would take it to mean that there was no "lift" in the trot and the horse was probably not using its back and hind leg properly.

Good score though, and its a great starting point if you already have the rhythm :)
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That actually makes a lot of sense thinking about it! He is very lazy when it comes to using his hind legs. And thank you, it's 1% higher then the first one so we're slowly improving :)
 
Don't get too hung up or upset by one individual result or judge's remark. I always think the remarks can be a useful guide but mostly I know what has gone wrong! A general trend and the same thing said by several judges can mean discussion with your trainer.

Good rhythm is very important, getting a more energetic trot will come with schooling as the muscles become stronger. Don't be tempted to hurry him along.
 
Hmm, could maybe mean lack of engagement and self carriage? Do you need to nag her to keep going or do you give one leg aid and then she stays actively trotting until you ask her to change gait?
 
Not a particularly helpful phrase as it could mean a number of different things. I would take it to mean that the trot was lacking energy (not to be confused with speed) which would result in a lack of expression in it.
 
My trainer would always say a flat trot has the speed but not the impulsion. Perhaps you have the energy but it's not controlled properly, I would try and keep the rhythm but collect more into a bouncy trot.
 
Easiest way of explaining this would be to liken it to a teenager not picking their feet up.. so you have rhythm (which is great) but horse is not really making an effort to really use themselves. As others have said, your horse needs to get stronger and you have made a really good start
 
FlashyP said:
Hmm, could maybe mean lack of engagement and self carriage? Do you need to nag her to keep going or do you give one leg aid and then she stays actively trotting until you ask her to change gait?
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It's a he by the way :D but I think your right with a lack of self carriage when you look back at videos of him. And yes I do have to nag him to keep going and sometimes he doesn't even respond.
 
lilyhopkins_ said:
Any advice on how to get a more bouncy trot?
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I'm far from an expert or anything but a very simple way to think about it is too keep the leg on and a deep seat but maintain contact with the reins so it doesn't run away from you and get flat. Also doing other exercises like transitions will help to get her more forward and picking up her feet if she is a bit lazy. I'm sure someone else could give a better explaination though.
 
Weemegs said:
I'm far from an expert or anything but a very simple way to think about it is too keep the leg on and a deep seat but maintain contact with the reins so it doesn't run away from you and get flat. Also doing other exercises like transitions will help to get her more forward and picking up her feet if she is a bit lazy. I'm sure someone else could give a better explaination though.
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Thanks, I understand slightly what you mean. I'll talk to my YO as she's also a trainer next time I'm see her.
 
The best way I had explained to me was a to say you are creating all the energy ..but if you don't contain it you are just leaving the door wide open so contain it. Transistions sharpen a horse so lots of those but always with the caveat of keeping it short and sweet in training. Just like you hitting the gym, new routines will quickly tax muscles so bear that in mind.
 
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