Unlike the walk, the trot is probably the easiest gait to develop and improve. With diligent, consistent work, a knowledgeable rider can put a good trot on any sound horse with correct conformation.
If you are developing the trot on a green horse, it is a great time to instill good movement in the individual. A horse who is moving well does so with straight legs that don’t swing sideways or strike each other. Good engagement, meaning the horse reaches well forward with his hind legs, ensures good balance and power. Shock is absorbed through the horse’s legs, making him move smoothly. Not only is good movement much easier, not to mention safer, for both horse and rider, it is lovely to watch as well. A good, basic trot is the building block upon which a good walk and canter are developed. It is a good place to instill the balance, build the muscle, and develop the rhythm necessary for the horse to reach his full potential.
The Trot Defined
The trot is a two-beat gait in which the horse moves from one diagonal pair of legs to the other. There is a moment of suspension, meaning that all four feet are off the ground, between beats. The footfall sequence is left diagonal (left fore and right hind), suspension, right diagonal (right fore and left hind), suspension. The trot should have an even rhythm, also known as cadence, and good engagement. It should be steady and balanced, yet forward. Faults include an irregular trot in which the front foot lands first, an irregular trot in which the hind leg lands first, lack of suspension, tight strides, or a trot that looks hurried. There are four different trots: working, medium, extended, and collected. The extended trot and the collected trot should be reserved for horses doing more advanced work. The average speed of the trot is six to eight miles.
The Half-Halt
The half-halt is one of the most often used aids in training. It should be used any time the rider needs the horse’s attention, such as when there is a change of movement, pace, or direction. It is therefore to both the horse’s and the rider’s benefit if the horse has some understanding of the half-halt before trot work is begun. A good half-halt can regulate the speed of the gait and get the horse to slowdown. In more advanced work the half-halt can benefit the horse’s rhythm and carriage. In an ideal half-halt the rider sits deeply in the saddle and applies both legs while urging the horse to move forward into the rider’s quiet hands. The rider, who now has a hold with both hands, should release the hold the instance the horse shifts more weight to his hind legs and engages the hindquarters. The half-halt can be initially confusing to the horse and may take a few weeks or more before he understands and accepts it. Like all areas of horse training, start slowly and do not ask to much of your horse. In the beginning, when the horse gives at all to the half-halt, stop the exercise and praise the horse. As long as the rider’s aids are consistent and well put, it won’t be long before the horse accepts the half-halt.
The Natural Trot
Initially, the goal of the rider should be to have his horse move in the trot in a loose, relaxed manner. The horse’s natural trot—in which he is unencumbered by the weight, legs, seat, and hands of a rider—is a great place to instill this relaxation. A horse who is not loose and relaxed in the natural trot will be no different in the working trot, and will have difficulty achieving the desired balance, rhythm, and straightness.
A great way to achieve relaxation in the horse is to send him over cavalletti at the trot, without a rider. Work over cavalletti not only loosens the horse up, but it builds muscle and makes the horse more surefooted. There are many ways to use cavalletti, some right and some wrong. An excellent book on the subject is Cavalletti by Reiner Klimke, which covers the subject in detail and is a must for any rider or trainer doing this kind of work.
Lunging is also a great way to prepare a horse for work under saddle, and allows the horse to learn the aids through voice, lunge whip, and reins. It is much easier to teach a horse to relax, maintain rhythm and balance, and go on the bit on the lunge line than it is to teach him these things for the first time with a rider on his back. Once the horse has these basics down on the lunge line, it will be much easier to get him to understand and accept these things under saddle.
The Working Trot
The working trot is a more animated, engaged version of the horse’s natural trot. The horse is encouraged to work with the use of the rider’s forward aids. In the first couple of weeks of teaching your horse the working trot use a light posting trot, putting as little of your weight in the saddle as possible in order to give your horse some time to build up the requisite muscles he needs for the sitting trot. The sitting trot should not be used until the horse can carry himself in the posting trot, and he fully understands and accepts the half-halt.
The first order of business when developing the working trot is to get the horse to move in a loose, relaxed manner with rhythm. One of the best ways to do this is to trot your horse over cavalletti while you maintain a posting trot. The work over cavalletti will loosen your horse by having him stretch his head and neck down, and will also build muscle in his back. Once your horse has reached this milestone you can ride him at the sitting trot, and therefore use your seat and weight more effectively. Take frequent breaks by walking on a loose rein, then return to this work.
In the working trot, the hind feet should cover the tracks of the front feet. The trot can be lengthened by a more active hind leg, but should never be hurried. A hurried trot can be helped by reducing the tempo of the gait with half-halts. Horses who are “hot” and who have trouble slowing down can be helped by a quiet rider who lets the horse move without restraining him. Cavalletti exercises can also be used in this case to slow down the horse.
A good way to instill balance in your horse at the trot is to do your entire training session on the quarter line a few times a month. Quarter lines are halfway between the rail and the middle of the arena. This will help you and your horse become truly balanced, as it is easy to become dependent on the rail to keep your horse straight.
At the end of every lesson the rider should gauge his or her success by dropping the reins and letting the horse gradually take them. A rider who has done the work correctly will have a horse who stretches his neck, relaxes, and rounds his back. Otherwise, the horse was not being ridden forward on the bit.
The Medium Trot
The medium trot is the extension of the lengthened trot, and comprises longer swinging steps in a more extended frame. The horse will cover more ground through stretch, and impulsion is created by the active stretching and bending of the horse’s hips, knee joints, and hocks. The movement flows from the horse’s back to the front. The more impulsion, the more the neck and head of the horse will be carried higher with the nose ahead of the vertical.
If your horse breaks into a canter every time you ask him to lengthen his trot, try the following exercise. On a lunge line, ask your horse for a medium trot. If he breaks into a canter, take him in a smaller circle. When he comes down to a trot ask him to canter. After two or three times around, ask for a trot. When the horse trots, give the line back. The horse will realize that every time he breaks gait, the trainer will not make it easy for the horse to stay in that gait. This also works well for horse’s who have a little too much energy and are unable to concentrate on the job at hand. Don’t forget to reward your horse when he does what you ask.
The Collected and Extended Trots
Neither of these gaits are for the beginner horse, and should be avoided by the neophyte trainer. The collected trot, in which the steps are higher, the strides shorter, the hindquarters lower, and neck and head carriage higher, is established with half-halts. The extended trot is the culmination of a finished horse’s training . . . it is only with the highest degree of education and collection that this gait is achieved, and is a great accomplishment for trainer, rider, and horse. Described as the ultimate forward movement in the trot, the extended trot shows the highest degree of activity and impulsion, and the highest influence of the rider’s aids. Both of these trots should only be tackled by a qualified and experienced trainer.
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As you teach your horse the trot, remember to work on something new only two or three times a week, and then only for a few minutes at a time. Your horse will be more likely to accept what you are teaching him, and will pick up the lessons faster. If one or both of you are struggling with a new concept, back off. Go back to something the horse does well, and call a trainer to help you achieve your new goal. Similarly, never introduce a new concept before mastering the one you are working on.
Try not to expect perfection of your horse, no matter how many times you’ve tried to get something through to him. Reward small steps and assume your horse is trying his best to figure it out. If he continues not to accept what you ask of him, look at your training methods and try to figure out how you could better get through to your horse.
When you run into problems seek expert advice from a qualified professional or someone whose opinion and horsemanship you respect.
Good luck with the trot!
