Medium Trot

[WDF]

I have a heavy set CH U N K Y mare who hasn't got a straight legged medium trot in her; i know that to SHOW just a difference is accepted but what exercises would you do to try and achieve a better change from working/medium?

[coss]

do lots of transitions from working to medium and back again - that will build the muscles so that your mare can cope better with the medium. only hold the medium for a couple of strides - its better to have a couple of good strides and rebalance back to working than 4 or 5 good strides and then the balance goes all over the place and you can't find the transition. i would also do lots of direct transitions (halt-trot-halt, walk-canter-walk etc) so that you build the back end up so your mare can propel herself forwards more.
you could also work on shoulder in a little for collected work which again will get the hindquarters more engaged. a good exercise i've done in the past is to do a few strides medium trot and then ask for shoulder in so you are getting the more collected trot from the horse doing it itself and there's not pulling up, you just going into shoulder in position and the horse collects for you.

medium trot in my eyes doesn't have to be straight legged - just lengthened strides where the hind legs flex and come under the horse to match the front legs.

[andreaB]

a good exercise is as you come into a corner ask the horse to collect a little , ask for activity from behind but be quick to contain it with your hand , work on this until your horse comes back happily , softly & balanced

once this is achieved ask for a few dtrides above as you come onto a turn off the short side of the arena , then as you come onto the straight ask for activity from behind & allow with the hand , if no clear transition to the medium pace is achieved or the horse just rushes bring him straight back & try again

once you have licked the transition look to the quality of the strides ,they need to be even , & round to the contact , aim for just a few to begin with , the instant the horse starts to loose balance , fall onto the forhabd or rush bring him back

once you have the previous 3 steps as a sequence look to the downward transition to working , it needs to be uphill ,don't allow him to fall into it & be careful not to bring the horse back with too much hand & have him come above the contact

finally don't expect to achieve all this immediately , it may take a few sessions , good luck:)