Trotting Tips for Beginners

Trotting is a style of horseback riding in which the horse's hooves hit the ground two at a time with a stride faster than a walk. This is a great style for beginners because it is not too fast and provides an experience other than basic walking drills. Unlike the walk, the trot will cause a lot of bouncing, which can be scary at first, but you must resist the urge to panic. Through practice you will learn to feel the rhythm of the horse and it will become second nature.

  1. Beginning To Trot

    • With moderate tension and no slack, hold the reins while slightly leaning forward. Gently squeeze the sides of the horse with your legs, a little harder than you would if you were persuading the horse to walk. Gesture to the horse to move forward by thrusting your hips to shift your body weight, letting the horse know it's time to proceed. If the horse has been taught a command such as "trot" or "jog," exclaim it for the horse to hear.

    Slow Trotting

    • Once the horse begins to trot, continue to keep the moderate tension on the reins and release the pressure of your legs against the horse's sides. Loosen the grip on the reins, just slightly. The horse should now be trotting slowly at about double the speed of a walk, bouncing all the while. It is important to keep your focus on the horse and your balance so as not to slide off the seat.

    Bouncing

    • As the horse bounces, keep your body with the movement and rhythm of the bouncing by rising up and sitting down in the saddle. Pay attention to the movement of the horse's shoulders and try to mimic that movement with your body. You should start to notice that your movement matches the sounds of the hooves. Make sure that your weight does not come down hard in the saddle as it will make the horse unsteady.

    Slowing Down

    • To slow a horse in trot, you must provide cues that the horse will understand. Begin the slow by sitting back in the saddle. Pull the reins back toward your body and then allow some slack. This is known as "checking." Do not check the reins too hard, as it can be cruel to the horse, and resist the urge to keep the reins pulled back for too long as the horse's head will be held in a very uncomfortable position.