Speed of running whilst troting

[Oli]

Does anyone know how fast you should run when doing the trotting part in hand? Mine is a shetland and i wonder if you should get them to go as fast as they can or is it better to go a bit slower, what is the judge looking for when they do the trotting part???

[Wally]

Go at a good brisk pace but don't over do it. You should be out of breath after though!

[Mehitabel]

have a practice, and get someone else to run the pony up while you play judge, so you can see what pace the pony looks best at. some are better faster, some slower. dont; go hell for leather so they flatten out or canter, but equally you want to show off their movement. each pony has a different 'optimum' speed for trotting out.

[Oli]

So what are they supposed to be doing, looking like they are floating or stretching out? with a shetland its quite difficult as they just seem to end up with their legs going 10 to the dozen.

[Wally]

The judge will be looking for free flowing movement, not choppy gaits. They want to see tracking up, something a lot of Shetlands find hard. So if your pony likes to jog slowly get him moving so he's tracking up.

There should be no exaggerated knee action, and lots of free shoulder movement. So see what speed your horse looks like he's taking the lonest strides in and work on that.

[Oli]

Thanks Wally