Shortening and Lengthening Strides?

[glitter_horse]

I've been wondering how is the correct way to shorten and lengthen your horses stride? I've been wanting to try it but I don't really know what aids to give the horse. Can someone tell me, please? I haven't been able to find it in any books or search so far :(

Thanks in advance!

[ally]

Mmmmmm...
Such a long time since Ive ridden !!!
Its all to do with creating but containing impulsion !!
I used to sit deeper into the saddle and use my lower leg , and also slightly lift the contact by raising the hand ever so slightly.
Not much use am I ( lol ).
Mind you I used to ride in the showing ring !!

Love Ally

[tasha]

In trot to lengthen I still ask Kally for an outline, but use more leg to push her on and increase the height and speed of the rise. I stop her running instead of lengthening using my hands.

At first, it is best to ask down a long side of the school, and down the short side half halt and collect them again.

Its a long time since I did shortening strides so I can't really rememeber much apart from I used my leg on the girth and used my hands somehow.

Tasha

[Lgd]

The horse should not significantly change the speed when they shorten or lengthen. If you want to lengthen the trot sit a little deeper, lengthen your legs (feel as though you are reaching down and back a little for his hind legs) and give a stronger aid with the leg to start him off, then gently hold with the leg, don't keep driving or the horse will run. The hand should allow the horse to lengthen his frame in order to take longer steps. If the horse runs onto the forehand or speeds up use soft half halts to rebalance then ask him to go again. You can ask for lengthening when you are rising to the trot but don't let the horse speed up and be careful not to get in front of the movement. To collect the strides lighten your back and seat (feel as though you are becoming taller above the saddle) and maintain the impulsion with the legs. (Collection does not mean slower and less impulsion).