How to Teach a Horse the Extended Trot

When a horse moves at a normal trot, he takes relatively short strides, covering more ground than at a walk but not as much as he would at the canter. With the extended trot, the horse lengthens his stride while maintaining the same speed. This lengthening of stride allows the horse to engage the hindquarters and utilize his muscles more efficiently, resulting in a longer, more sweeping stride that covers more ground without being jarring or bumpy.

Things You'll Need

  • Saddle
  • Bridle
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Instructions

    • 1

      Mount your horse and ride for a few minutes at the walk and the normal trot. Perform suppling exercises such as riding in circles of various sizes and flexing from side to side. This helps to loosen your horse up and encourages him to bring his hindquarters underneath himself.

    • 2

      Cue your horse for a normal trot while maintaining a slight contact with the reins. There should be a straight line from the bit to your elbox. Wait for the horse to drop his head until his poll is lower than the rest of his body. Relax the reins when your horse drops his head, but be ready to pick up the reins again if he begins to raise his head.

    • 3

      Push your horse forward with your seat and legs, applying steady preesure in a squeezing motion with your legs while using your seat to push the horse forward as well. Encourage the horse to elongate his stride by pushing him forward with your legs and seat while maintaining slight contact with the reins.

    • 4

      Practice bending exercises like large circles while working at the normal trot, then push your horse forward and encourage him to use a longer stride. Working on a large circle encourages the horse to engage his hindquarters and bring his legs underneath himself, resulting in a more sweeping motion and a longer and smoother stride.

    • 5

      Ask a friend to watch your horse as you ride. It is helpful to have another person on the ground who can verify that the horse is indeed lengthening his stride and not just moving faster. Continue to work on transitions from the normal trot to the extended trot, using your legs to encourage the horse to move forward while holding him back slightly with the reins. You should begin to feel the horse lengthen his frame and move in a more fluid manner.