Trisha wren ~ Connect With Your Horse

March 2009

Yes, I finally managed to coerce someone into taking some photos of Hunter trotting! He got fairly regular riding this summer, 3-4 times per week, and his trot is vastly improved. When we first started trotting under saddle he could only go in straight lines, and with his head way up. Gradually he became able to trot 20m circles – but it would all fall apart if we tried to change direction, even a very gentle figure 8. He found it really hard to rebalance himself for the new direction.
He’s now able to change direction whilst maintaining his rhythm and carriage, and is stretching his head and neck more consistently. He’s still very bouncy to trot though, making me work hard to maintain softness and connection myself!

The first pic isn't the best, but you can see how his ‘base’, ie the distance between his front and hind feet, has widened and stabilised, compared to the second pic, taken in Dec 2005 when we first got him.

Hunter responds well to me connecting his back end to the front as part of his program. He’s taking connection on the line much more consistently, stretching, and finding a better rhythm.

And here’s the proof that he can actually trot ‘properly’ now! He’s still a little on the forehand, but is more and more able to shift his weight back and come through from behind, stretching in front – rather than his previous habit of leaving his hind legs several miles behind him!