Trot Extensions – Its In The Prep!

So, today we worked on teaching my young horse Trot Extensions and the essence of the matter is preparation.

The corner before the extension, assuming you are making the extensions across the diagonal is absolutely vital.  It should be forward, balanced and primed.

• Half halt, make sure you have a good bend and use the corner well
• After the corner, half halt again to let your horse know something different is about to happen (a transition into extended trot)
• Sit up and apply your leg aids – BOTH – gently and off again, whilst giving A LITTLE with the rein, from the elbow.
• Remember you are not aiming to go faster, just longer strides so don’t give away the contact.  The Horse should have a consistent contact so that he/she doesn’t run and simply lengthens the stride.
• In the early days, talk to your horse – Tell them to trot on as if you were lunging, this will help to stop them going into canter

Allow it to happen.

Expect it to happen.

Feel it happening.

And when it does, lots of praise to reaffirm the horse is doing good.

Patricia – The Dressage Tipster

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