Trot, Extended Trot - Please explain

hemigirl · 07-22-2005, 10:46 AM

I am a fairly new rider and I am trying to get all this terminology down. Can someone explain the difference between the two and what situations you would use these?

Shotgun93 · 07-22-2005, 10:50 AM

Well, I asume you know what the trot is! The extended trot is just that, an extended trot, the strides lengthen, but the rythem doesn't change.
It's used mainly in dressage, but it can help to get collection in the canter, b/c it is harder for them to keep the weight behind them with lenghtened strides, as it is in the canter. As well as showing that your horse is listening to you and understands your aids.

hemigirl · 07-22-2005, 10:57 AM

Thanks Shotgun, gotcha!

Jennamarie919 · 07-24-2005, 08:05 PM

The extended trot is used in Training level dressage and up. It's simply the horse covering more ground in the same amount of time. It creates a floating sensation. I don't know that I would suggest it as a canter training aid as often horses get confused between the extended trot and the canter aids. Hope that helps!

Dancinglite · 07-24-2005, 08:55 PM

The extended trot is the mark by which we judge the impulsion and balance we have developed in the horse. It is derived from the medium trot by employing greater driving controls causing more energetic thrusts by the hindquarters. This movement should not be called upon until the horse has undergone well-planned gymnastic training, requiring high demands on thrust, impulsion and balance usually near or after the second year of training.

The riders hand should not act as a brace against the forward thrust of each leg but alternately restrain and release. This is the "ride the rein forward" I had mentioned many times before. As each leg drives the horse forward the rein on the opposite side will restrain with the inside rein making a slight release. This will reverse itself when the leg aids change from left to right. This is not sawing as there is no pull. The rein will be released on whatever side only as much as the forward thrust of the hind leg allows.

The result will be a lifting of the forehand and dropping of the hind. The expression most often used by trainers and judges is "gaining ground" referring to the hind legs going more under the horse and gaining ground as in the length of stride from step to step. The rider will feel this as a "filling out " of their seat and leg position around the horse.

All of this will be beyond the horse and rider initially. Exercise such as pushing the horse forward and bringing him back will strengthen the hind quarters and create a coiled spring effect, much like you holding a spring at each end and letting go. The spring pops out of your hand with a jump like spring, and this is what you are attempting to do.

07-22-2005, 10:46 AM	#1
hemigirl Full Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: New Caney, TX Posts: 141	Trot, Extended Trot - Please explain I am a fairly new rider and I am trying to get all this terminology down. Can someone explain the difference between the two and what situations you would use these?

07-22-2005, 10:50 AM	#2
Shotgun93 Senior Moderator Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Southwest SD Posts: 14,941 Images: 133	Well, I asume you know what the trot is! The extended trot is just that, an extended trot, the strides lengthen, but the rythem doesn't change. It's used mainly in dressage, but it can help to get collection in the canter, b/c it is harder for them to keep the weight behind them with lenghtened strides, as it is in the canter. As well as showing that your horse is listening to you and understands your aids. __________________ In the quiet light of the stable, you hear a muffled snort, the stamp of a hoof, a friendly nicker. Gentle eyes inquire, "How was your day old friend?" and suddenly, all your troubles fade away. -Author Unknown

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07-22-2005, 10:57 AM	#3
hemigirl Full Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: New Caney, TX Posts: 141	Thanks Shotgun, gotcha!

07-24-2005, 08:05 PM	#4
Jennamarie919 Full Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 29	The extended trot is used in Training level dressage and up. It's simply the horse covering more ground in the same amount of time. It creates a floating sensation. I don't know that I would suggest it as a canter training aid as often horses get confused between the extended trot and the canter aids. Hope that helps!

07-24-2005, 08:55 PM	#5
Dancinglite Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 1,973 Blog Entries: 13	The extended trot is the mark by which we judge the impulsion and balance we have developed in the horse. It is derived from the medium trot by employing greater driving controls causing more energetic thrusts by the hindquarters. This movement should not be called upon until the horse has undergone well-planned gymnastic training, requiring high demands on thrust, impulsion and balance usually near or after the second year of training. The riders hand should not act as a brace against the forward thrust of each leg but alternately restrain and release. This is the "ride the rein forward" I had mentioned many times before. As each leg drives the horse forward the rein on the opposite side will restrain with the inside rein making a slight release. This will reverse itself when the leg aids change from left to right. This is not sawing as there is no pull. The rein will be released on whatever side only as much as the forward thrust of the hind leg allows. The result will be a lifting of the forehand and dropping of the hind. The expression most often used by trainers and judges is "gaining ground" referring to the hind legs going more under the horse and gaining ground as in the length of stride from step to step. The rider will feel this as a "filling out " of their seat and leg position around the horse. All of this will be beyond the horse and rider initially. Exercise such as pushing the horse forward and bringing him back will strengthen the hind quarters and create a coiled spring effect, much like you holding a spring at each end and letting go. The spring pops out of your hand with a jump like spring, and this is what you are attempting to do.