How to Correct a Trotting Gaited Horse
Gaited horses are chosen for their smooth, non-jarring movement. Their gait lacks the diagonal action and the moment of suspension of the trot. It is this suspension in the trot which jars the rider. Incorrect initial training or uneducated riding can cause a gaited horse to trot. The ease of re-establishing the smooth riding gait depends on the severity of the issue and how long the horse has been allowed to trot.
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Instructions
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Ensure you are using an independent seat by checking that you ride in balance with the horse and do not accidentally jab his mouth or steady yourself with the reins. Use correctly-fitting tack that does not pinch or rub the horse. Check that the horse has free shoulder movement by ensuring the saddle does not fit too far forward on the shoulder and too low on the withers.
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Ask the horse to move forward from the seat and legs. Take a light contact on the horse's mouth. Ask the horse to trot and then sit into this movement; do not post. Sit deeper into the saddle and ask the horse to take contact on the bit. Use the half-halt to do this (a soft take and release on the rein).
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Do not put leg contact on the horse's side or grip with the legs. Allow your legs to rest lightly in the stirrups as they give to the movement.
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Wait for the horse to respond to this proper contact by starting to gait. Allow the horse to gait a few strides. Before she falls out of gait, sit deeper into the saddle, take even more contact on the bit, and ask for an even halt. Praise the horse. Repeat these steps a few times and stop on a positive note - after the horse gaits.
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Continue the process each day. Stop the horse immediately if he trots. Do not punish the horse, but ask for the gait again. Punishing the horse will only make him nervous, which could make gaiting impossible. Praise the horse for each gaiting attempt.
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Tips & Warnings
Riding horses can be dangerous. Riders without experience or proper skill cannot cue the horse properly for re-training purposes. Breaking the gaited horse of the trot requires advanced skill.
References
- Photo Credit Jupiterimages/Pixland/Getty Images
Comments
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Build the intermediate gait from the walk. Increase speed slowly so the transitions are slower and more delayed. Riding with a light/loose rein use the half halt to ask for softness at the poll as you feel the horse begin to tighten the core in preparation for engaging the trot. Sit deep and do not post. Use a slight bend with one rein to encourage the shoulders to remain reaching and rolling. Softness from the base of the neck to the poll will enourage ligtness on the fore and help maintain the even four beat as you transition up to intermediate speeds.
