Re: The extended trot
Reynolds, Nikki (jakar@aiinc.com)
Fri, 03 Jan 1997 20:32:50 -0800
Diane Nelson wrote:
>
> There is a serious misconception amongst riders in the endurance community
> as to what constitutes an extended trot. A true extended trot requires a
> great deal of collection and engagement in the hindquarters. For a good
> description read any of the classics on dressage, including the book "How to
> Ride a Winning Dressage Test" by Maj-Gen'l Jonathon R. Burton.
>
> What Arabs do is a racing trot, frequently done with a hollowed topline,
> elevated head carriage and the hind quarters swinging wide behind. While
> many riders seem to think their horses "love to do this gait", the truth is
> that it is very demanding of the musculature and can result in long term
> soft tissue damage, and back and leg problems if used as the exclusive gait
> of choice.
>
> A horse needs to first learn collection by being introduced to the "long and
> low" way of going. The topline can be developed for a soft, fluid, swinging
> back at any gait by utilizing exercises that teach flexion, straightness on
> a curve, and yielding to the aids.
>
> Goosing a horse into some kind of accelerated pace to achieve some notion of
> hind end engagement only teaches him to hollow his back and tighten
> virtually every muscle from the poll back.
>
> If you want to teach your horse engagement, do what Sue Greenall
> recommended--use cavaletti as part of your training program, use hills to
> teach balance and engagement, learn how to use the aids to round and soften
> your horse at any gait. Learn how to use transitions to teach responsiveness
> and collection, and learn how to transition at every gait, with and without
> stirrups.
>
> There is an excellent little book called "101 Arena Exercises" by Cherry
> Hill, available at most tack stores, that has diagrams of the exercise, a
> "how to ride" section, a list of benefits and cautions. For those folks who
> don't have the benefit of consistent lessons, this book can help develop a
> good routine for achieving a variety of riding goals.
>
> If you ever have an opportunity to watch Steve and Dinah Rojek ride, observe
> their beautiful positions, observe the soft, natural collection of their
> horses at every gait going down the trail. They both are serious students
> of dressage...and the results speak for themselves.
>
> The bottom line is...there is no quick fix. Classical training teaches
> correctness...and that leads to an obedient, soft, happy partner on trail.
>
> Diane @ Safe Haven
I'm definitely going to look for that book. Sounds like the best way to
make our trail partners last longer too.