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I need help with trotting :(

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learn trot
2K views 11 replies 5 participants last post by  Angelina1 
#1 ·
I have a young green rising 5yo standardbred. I used to ride at schools and trot no problems. I had a fall and lost all my confidence. Now I have my own horse and Im trying to learn to trot again. I will start to trot him and he will run to my mum or whoever im with, or will toss his head or mix up his feet and do a silly little canter/trot. I just wanted to know if there is any easy ways to learn to trot, on a bit difficult horse? He doesnt lunge well so I cant ride on it, we tried and he cuts in and trots sideways. His also very lazy and drags his feet, so when I ask for a trot he leaps into it because he is using the wrong lead. I just didnt know if there is any ways/tips that could help me??
 
#2 ·
Is it possible for you to find a different, quiet, patient horse to ride for a while? It's just going to be difficult for you to regain confidence on a horse who is going to take advantage of you.

Your horse may not necessarily be "bad", but some do worse than others when their rider is unconfident. The best thing for you right now is to ride an old packer horse who isn't shaken by much and who is going to take care of you.
 
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#3 ·
Trot doesn't have leads.

Did he race or was he trained for racing? Most Standardbreds are and it can make retraining a bit difficult if you don't take into consideration what they have already been taught. The Standardbred is primarily bred as a racing trotting or pacing horse. Does your horse pace or trot? Their strides are often long and fast and they can tend to have a few problems with bending and can lean on the bit.

The mixed canter/trot is quite common to Standardbreds.

If he hasn't had re-training of the track then I would look at perhaps sending him away to get someone to do that. Its not always particularly difficult to do but if you don't have confidence that just isn't going to work out.

Is he your first horse? When I got my first horse I rode it for the first or second time in the arena and we pretty much ran into the fence. Why, because having spent my life on school horses I didn't realise that you actually had to control your own horse, he wouldn't just do what all the others did. If he's running everywhere you have lost control of him.

I think you would really benefit from an instructor who can come out and give you some help, and you might find that your Standardbred, being young and green, is not really that suitable for you at the moment.
 
#7 ·
Standardbreds are often very sweet natured horses, but like all horses you need to be the leader. You need to tell him where to go and when.

You're in a bit of a bad position, because you won't really be able to learn to trot properly until the horse can trot calmly and properly, but he won't be able to learn to trot like that until you, or someone else, teach him. People don't ride unsuitable trots like a normal trot, if my horse were to take off at a crazy trot I wouldn't rise along merrily, I'd sit back and slow him down, and only when the trot was correct would I start really riding the trot.

Horses are expensive, and if your horse is young, and you are inexperienced, a trainer or instructor is often almost as important a cost as feed, or agistment. Really consider the suitability of you and this horse.

Also, remove the problems. If your horse runs to your family tell your family to go away. Work on control, get it perfect. Get him weaving around things, doing tight circles, stopping immediately, serpentines etc at a walk. Never let him choose his own way or direction. Then do two or three strides of trot and then walk and slowly work up to more. Work on a 20 or 30 metre circle, get him used to be bending around the leg. Standardbreds are very "straight" horses, but you're going to have more control when you teach him to bend around your leg and keep on a circle. Until you have a really good trot where you can weave and bend, go fast and slow, do serpentines etc, don't even consider cantering.
 
#8 ·
TROT POLES using trot poles in your flat work either by lunging or riding will break the desire to pace and will make them pick up thier feet in a trot to avoid hitting the poles. Have 4 or 5 poles on one side then a break and another 4 or 5 poles on the opposite side and keep your horse moving through the poles he will soon learn to pick his feet up in a trot. After he has begun to trot regularly even in little doses move the poles together to keep him in the trot for longer..
Remember to reward him in his tries no matter how small they are as you have to get your horse to believe that it is ok to trot.
Also if you can ride him in sand (beach or other) this will also see them trot as they have to lift thier legs from the depth.
I have retrained many Standies using this method with alot of success. Good Luck!! you and your boy will get there.
 
#11 ·
I will start to trot him and he will run to my mum or whoever im with, or will toss his head or mix up his feet and do a silly little canter/trot.
My horse suits me great and has an amazing trot. I can control him and he circles great and knows the one rein stop..
With absolutely no snootiness intended, are you having trouble controlling him, or do you just feel unconfident? Because your first and last post are somewhat conflicting.

You mentioned he runs back to your family when you try to ride him-does he do this with every rider, or just you? How does he go when someone else is on him?

Confidence and how to ride properly is not something people can help you with or teach you over an online forum. I don't think this horse needs training-I think you need training and a bit of help. Do you have the money to take a few lessons? Are any of your family members any good with riding, could they coach you and be your "eyes on the ground"?

The bottom line is, it's going to be hard to regain your confidence and learn how to ride again by yourself. Nobody on here knows your history, how you ride or what's going on-none of us can give you the personal advice and information you need. I have gone through the same thing. My family doesn't have tons of money either, but I needed help so I worked and got some money together and payed for the lessons myself. (And they did help tremendously.) Having that experienced, knowledgable person there can make all the difference.
 
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#12 ·
Ok - by what I can gather from your latest posts is that it is NOT your horse that is having problems trotting, it is you - am I correct?? are you asking how to rise trot??

If so these steps might help you:

1 Shorten your reins; take up the slack, but don't hold too tight.

2 Squeeze your calves against the horse's sides and/or tap lightly with your heels.

3 Simultaneously push your hips forward.

4 Keep your hands steady and bring them back to their normal position after the horse begins trotting.

5 Sit tall and relaxed, and follow the motion of the horse with your hips.

6 Glance down at the outside shoulder of the horse to post. As it moves forward, rise out of the saddle.

7 Simultaneously tighten your knees and put more weight in your stirrups, down toward your heels, as you rise.

8 Sit gently back down as the horse's shoulder moves back, rolling back on your thighs. The rhythm should be 1, 2, 1, 2 (1 up, 2 down, 1 up, 2 down).


Hope this helps!!
 
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