RE: Trot on Command

[Wendy Milner <wmilner@verinet.com>]

The way I've taught the trot out is by starting with lunging the horse.
First you teach lunging - properly - not just running in circles.
The horse learns to watch you, learns what the whip is for, and
you learn how you are influencing the horse. 

Once you've got that down, you start lunging, not in a circle, but
an oval. You'll have to walk along, not just stand in the center.
Your horse sees you walking, and learns to keep the line at the same
tension. 

Then you move up to lunging the full length of the arena. You have to
work much harder here. 

And then, you start shortening on the line till you are trotting beside
the horse. 

Doing this all gradually, the horse just accepts it. At the vet check,
you put the horse at the end of the lead line, take your whip and ask
the horse to lunge, and immediately start trotting beside the horse.
Horse knows what to do.
-- 
Wendy
Dragon Crest Ranch
Some where near Masonville, Colorado

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