how do i keep them going?

[helinski]

In my lesson i have got the hang of rising trot and its going very well! but the problem is the horse i ride is quite lazy and will only do about half the school before slowing back to walk. are there any ways i can keep her going whilst continuing to rise???

any help will be appreciated! :)

[*Sez*]

It's quite difficult to explain, but as you sit, you want to tap with your heels to keep the impulsion going. Not every time, but every so often. That's what I do (although it doesn't always work!). Sometimes my instructor has to chase him (or throw a handful of sand at his back legs) to keep him going!

[fielder]

me too I have this problem always. I can make them start but at the first or second corner the horse slows down and stops. The instructor tells me to keep my leg on but it doesn't seem to do any good. She them usually has to crack the whip to the horse which gets it going until the next bend but it will always slow down and stop when out of range of the instructor.Please help?!

[Skyhuntress]

really, as sez said, everytime you are on the downbeat of the trot, you want to gave a little squeeze with your legs (calf muscles come in handy here :D )

If the horse isn't listening, give him a kick-especially if you know he has a tendency to slow down at corners

[*toHorse&Away*]

Hi Helsinki

Have had this problem a lot - if you are riding school horses they are very smart and know how to wear you out quicker than them! :)
As mentioned each time you sit put your leg on.
If that does not work, yes kick, but as a real last resort use the stick.
Do this early in the lesson to get him/her listening to you and then hopefully you won't need to use it any more.
If you go to a group lesson at all, although you will not be learning steering etc so effectively, you will be able to practice getting comfortable and secure in rising trot without unbalancing yourself early in your learning by having to leg too much, as the horses tend to follow ach other nicely so you have less to worry about.

Hope that helps a bit :)

[helinski]

hey!
thanx for the great advice! i shall try it in my lesson tommorrow.
its so good to know there are people going through the same thing!
thanx agen and i shall let u know how it goes
helinski xxx :)

[stormchaser]

If squeezing with calf muscles don't work, dig your heels in. If still no response, give him a tap with your whip just behind your leg so he'll associate the tap with your leg egg and pay attention to a light leg aid next time. Kicking too hard with your heels sometime messes up your leg position so watch out. For me, combination of light leg aids combined with a tap of the whip early in the session usually gets him going. And oh, don't forget to give him a rewarding pat on the shoulder after a good trot!

When posting, give a squeeze with your calf every time you sit down if he's especially lazy. And always keep insisting till he does what you want him to do.