Re: trotting faster

[Kimberly Price <PLOUGH1@ix.netcom.com>]

I'm not a dressage trainer, but your question is very valid.  Since you
didn't seem to get a serious answer, I thought I would give it a try.
Cantering is not always the answer, especially for my guy.  He poops out
too fast, too heavily muscled.  But he did LEARN to extend the trot to
keep up.   Here is some of my very LIMITED knowledge but maybe some of
the experts will contribute.

1.  Teach him he can extend the trot on the lunge line with side reins.
This takes a while and you should have some guidance in doing so.  A
good basic trainer can help.  As I understand it, extending the trot on
the lunge line comes after many other basics.

2.  If you cannot do that then push him to trot faster without letting
him break into a canter.  How to explain how?  Ok, need some experts
here!  But keep him from cantering, yet push him with your leg, and you
will feel the extension start and he will be surprised he can do it!  Be
sure to give him lots of praise.

I'm sure there are many "wonder" horses and expert riders out there who
just canter on down the trail without a worry about the extended trot.
But it isn't for all of us.  Your question is very valid so don't give
up.

Kimberly (&Mystery the Morab..."I can extend, I can extend!! oops!!!..I
can gallop tooo but now I'm tired!)
Pt.Reyes, CA
**** original message******
From: K S Swigart <katswig@deltanet.com>
To: AliFarr@aol.com
cc: ridecamp@endurance.net
Subject: Re: 2 subs Feeding beet pulp and trotting faster
On Mon, 3 Aug 1998 AliFarr@aol.com wrote:
> train with - we already trot faster than anyone else around here.
What do you
> do to speed things up?
I canter.
kat
Orange County, Calif.
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