Trotting off?

[Zip_n_Prin]

In Halter classes (US), how did you teach your horses to trot off? My coming 2 year old paint does it when he feels like it, but he has his first show in May and I need it to be like second nature to him! I am doing Parelli Level 1 with him, so hopefully that will help! Thanks for any advice!

[cvb]

so what do you do when he doesn't trot off ?

do you give him clear cues as to what you want him to do, reward/release the right behaviour and ask again if not ?

Was at a Mark Rashid clinic (just back) and one of the riders had a horse that was just plodding in walk. He said you need to get the energy level there from the very first step or its too late.

So when you practise, you need to decide what you are aiming for (e.g. he's learning this now, so for today he can take one stride walk first... or whatever) and then make sure you stick to it ! Give him time to learn the cue but he should be starting to respond to lighter and lighter with less and less delay.

Don't forget to breathe - you'll hold all sorts of tension otherwise and your horse will pick up on that.

[Bacharel]

Out of the show ring hold him in one hand and a dressage whip/crop/stick what ever you can find. Ask him to walk with you, then stop. Then ask him to trot with you by either clicking to him or saying trot..if he hesitates at all just tap him in the side BE SUR ENOT TO HESISTATE , IT WILL DEFEAT THE PURPOSE AND KEEP LOOKING AHEAD! :) Soon you will just be able to give the command and he will do it. :D

Have fun!

p.s-this worked really well with my horse

[taybug]

good advice, Bacharel. It really worked for me, too.