Extended trot?

[Painting Horses]

At my last show i enterd my 8yr old paint gelding in 6 classes and he got 3 1st's and 3 2nds!!!! i was very proud however they asked for an extened trot and i have riden an extended trot maybe twice in my life. I've been rideing for 12 years and help train horses but i don't know how to teach this could someone help me out PLEASE PLEASE???:rolleyes:

[Jessey]

I was reading up on this just the other day, but can't explain it, sorry. The book I have is called '101 arena exercises for horse and rider' and its by Cherry Hill (I got it from Amazon), its a very good book that takes you step by step from the walk through to some really advanced manovers, its written in simple english and gives you little exercises to do that link together to get the advanced stuff - I would definatly recomend it (and its for both english and western).
Sorry I can't be more help, maybe some of the dressage riders can help you.
J

[racipaci]

I think (and i'm sure someone will correct me if I'm wrong ;) ) you have to have very good basic ground work before you can attempt extended trot. The horse has to be working through from behind and be quite established in an outline. The horse has to be physically capable of exerting extra strength from behind in order to create the trot.

If the horse is working well from behind then practise lots of half halts to collect before you go to extend then as you come off the track squeeze and ask for more impulsion in the trot (not faster) and allow with your hands so the horse can stretch and extend.

I would just practice a few steps at a time then build it up. I think I too have only got a true extended trot about twice and that was on someone elses advanced dressage horse. :)

[kelsey]

True extended trot comes from collection, so it is quite an advanced movement. The horse has to lower his hindquarters and use them to power himself forward.

I think what most people (non dressage) would call an extended trot is really a trot lengthening. You can practice at home by setting up poles at regular distance for your horse's stride, then having someone move them further apart and use your legs to help him lengthen his stride, remembering that you can only influence a horse's hind leg as it is about to leave the ground. Therefore you need to use alternating leg aids.

[Painting Horses]

I will try a little of everything after it drys a little and i'll let everyone know how it goes!! thank you so much for the help!:D :D :D :D :D

[Painting Horses]

:( Sorry i haven't said much on here it'd been raining badly and i haven't been able to ride :'( I'll post here asap ! :D