Extended Trot Exercise

This extended trot exercise will encourage your horse to use his hindquarters and build up the muscles of his loin, back, and neck properly. There are two distinct frames in which you can ride the extended trot. Each serve a different purpose, but when used together they increase the strength and suppleness of your horse’s topline.

The first frame is elongated and low. It increases range of motion and promotes “open” movement that creates reaching gaits and a longer and more flowing stride. Your horse is in the correct position when he is traveling at the extended trot with his poll lower than the rest of the neck and his head vertical or slightly ahead of the vertical. While learning and building strength, it is acceptable for you horse to carry his head slightly behind the vertical.

To put your horse into this frame, ride him in a bit that he’s comfortable with and willingly flexes both laterally and vertically. A snaffle bit works well for this exercise. Ride forward at the trot carrying your hands just in front of the saddle. Your elbows will be nearly straight, yet not stiff, and positioned an inch in front of your body. Shorten your reins so that you have a steady and even feel of your horse’s mouth. Hold your hands even with the outside edge of your hips, or slightly wider if your horse needs more support. Your forearms should form an extension of your reins, creating a straight line from the bit to your elbow. If your horse moves his head up or down, follow the movement with your arms to maintain that continuous line. The key here is to establish contact without pulling backward.

Keep the muscles of your upper arms relaxed to prevent tension and resistance from being transmitted to your horse’s mouth. Your fingers should remain slightly open and relaxed. A tight grip will restrict your horse’s forward motion. Your horse needs to be comfortable and relaxed to accept the contact of the bit and stretch his neck down.

Ask for a long steady trot while maintaining steady soft rein contact. As soon as your horse begins to drop his neck, loosen the reins slightly as a reward. The moment you notice that his neck is elevating again, reestablish rein contact and wait for him to lower his neck again. It’s important that the rein pressure be consistent until your horse relaxes drops his neck. If your horse is showing signs of resistance, flex his head slightly to the side by shortening one rein.

It may make it easier for your horse to do the work on a large circle. On a circle your horse will tend to bend his body to conform to the circle’s arc. Flexing his spine will help him soften his body. That will make it easier for him to relax and carry himself in the long and low frame. Large circles will also help to increase your horse’s overall suppleness and encourage him to engage his hind end.

Begin by warming your horse up in the low frame. Once he’s relaxed and stretching down well, bring your hands closer together, so that they are no wider than your hips. Bend your elbows so that they are positioned just above your hip joints. This will draw your hands even with your horse’s withers. In this position you will encourage your horse to shift his weight off his forehand and onto his hindquarters. Also, when you are working at the collected trot, ride large to medium sized circles and figure-eights to encourage a long stride and supple frame.

Continue to drive your horse forward with your legs to maintain a steady forward trot. The rein contact should remain soft enough to prevent any restriction of forward movement yet firm enough to motivate your horse to use his hind end. You may be able to feel your horse’s back lift slightly under the saddle as he moves into the proper frame. This arching of the back and lifting of the shoulders means your horse is using his hind end. When he engages his hind end, it essentially tucks farther under the body. That give the horse the appearance of become round, as opposed to being flat in the topline or upside down. In the upside down, or inverted frame, the horse’s back hollows and the head and neck elevate.

As your horse begins to drive his hocks further under his body, he should become smoother and fall into a strong and steady rhythm. If you feel that your horse is trying to carry himself in the correct frame, lighten up the rein pressure and the cues to move forward as a reward. A recess at the walk will allow him to rest his muscles, which is important if he lacks condition for this type of work. It’s best to work your horse hard for short spurts than to exhaust him. If you push him to the limit, he’ll resist physically and mentally. At the end of the session, return to the long-low frame at the trot and then at the walk to allow the muscles of your horse’s topline to stretch.

Written by Dale Rudin

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