I ride at a dressage show barn and I would just like to mention that of all
the higher level horses we have had or seen here, the horses with the best
extensions and lengthenings are Arabs. The problem you are talking about is
bad riding not that arabs are bad at lengthening. All breeds can do that
racing trot with a hollowed topline. And actually, when done correctaly, yes
it is very strenus (make sure to be warmed up before you try it) but most
horses do love to do it. We train it at first across the diagonal in a
dressage arena, and pretty soon we don't even have to really ask for it, we
just either let them or not let them do it. As for the aids to ask for this,
well before you can even begin to get the most out of your horse it has to be
balance and on your aids. From what I have seen of endurance horses, most
travel a little bit on their forehands so you will have to get your horse to
lift up and balance it self a little better before you will get the best trot
your horse can give you. If you are truely interested in finding out how to
do this it would pay off to take a couple dressage lessons. Then once you
have your horse balanced off it's forehand, (it is easiest to train this in
an arena, but any straight line will work) Use a corner to get your horse
balanced and then when you are going straight (diagonal works best in an
arena) push with your (new, if you are changing directions) inside leg and
let you horses nose out a little. Don't let your horses head get any lower,
that would be a sign of running on the forehand. If you are posting, which
you should, you should feel your posts stay the same speed (that is very
important) but get higher and stay in the air longer. This means that you
horse's stride is getting longer, not just faster. At first your posts can
get a little faster, but not much. You want to push your horse untill just
before it is going to canter, you will probably even break into a canter a
few times , but just try it again. Now that that is cleared up, if any one
has any questions, or comments, please feel free to email me at
CinderBeau@aol.com, or post them here.
Thanks, Janelle and Cinder
PS, If you truly want to talk in dressage terms, like collection and
extension, you probably want to call this movement the lengthened trot,
because you probably will never get an extended trot(which is much bigger and
more suspended) unless you train your horse to 2nd level dressage or above.
Just a thought.