Comments on: How to Trot

on 11/22/2005 When riding bareback (without a saddle), don't sit were you would if you were in a saddle. You should sit on the horse's shoulders (near the neck). Otherwise, you could bend the horses spine. Trotting bareback the first time is best done when someone is leading the horse.

on 11/22/2005 This two beat gait is one of the hardest. If you do not get it right away, keep trying and do not give up. You can try posting at a walk first, then try sitting at a trot. If you feel like you can post, give it a try.

on 11/22/2005 Horses are not hard to take care of, they just like certain things. Horses don't like to be kicked too hard or hit too hard (when not needed). Horses have feelings (emotionally and physically).

on 11/22/2005 Trotting is actually quite hard at first, so don't get discouraged if it takes a while. Also, stay relaxed. Don't go tense, because it's harder to feel the horse's rhythm.

on 11/22/2005 Start at a walk and once you are comfortable with that, go to trotting and then to the gallop and so on. Make sure you are always safe and don't let people push you into things you don't feel ready for.

on 11/22/2005 When trotting, keep the reins tight, and don't let out any slack. If the horse starts to canter, gently pull back and go back to your normal position. The horse should be trotting again. The trot is actually quite difficult to learn.