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Hello Cindy,
All good ideas especially the practice at home part, I still do that 
but it's mostly for keeping me in shape. I do have a tip that works 
very well on my lazy trotter and it is goes along with not looking 
back at your horse as you start to trot out. It's true, I don't look 
back as I start but if he is lagging after a couple steps I wheel 
around and lunge one step at him looking him straight in the eyes. It 
scares him and he jumps sideways and forward and I have already 
quickly turned back to continue the trot out. Sort of a split second 
thing of "trot or I'm gonna eat you" and I never have to say 
anything. One time a vet said, "well that certainly works".
Don Huston

At 08:43 PM 9/28/2007 Friday, Cindy wrote:
> I am the LAST person who should be chiming in on this, with only a 
> few LD's behind me, but this was something my horse and i both had 
> to learn as newbies.  What worked for me, and i'm sure there are 
> bound to be oodles of better ways, was baiting her with a carrot 
> when we practiced at home.  I always practiced this after our 
> workouts, so she got used to doing it when tired.  we'd start at the 
> end of the arena/driveway/whatever.  I'd show her the carrot, I'd 
> give her a cue - either verbal or physical, whatever works for you, 
> we'd run to the other end and she'd get the carrot.  First few 
> times, i had to get her going with a tap on the rear with a crop or 
> the lead rope.  But after she learned the routine, didn't need to.
>
> Of course during the rides, I didn't have the carrot - i assume that 
> wouldn't be allowed.  But I gave her a big pat as a reward instead.
>
> Couple tips that a vet gave a riding buddy of mine - don't look back 
> at them, don't pull on them, try to stay at their shoulder if you 
> can.  But best thing i learned - practice at home! :)

Don Huston at cox dot net
SanDiego, Calif 



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