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The Trot

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stoicfish
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The Trot
« on: October 06, 2009, 12:35:34 PM »

Bit after the fact but I took my mare and foal to the CWHBA show, the mare is a Trak (Anglo-Trak), and she did well, 8's on confimation, breed and sex but lousy on the trot (6). Actually she did fine, I screwed up. How do you get a 17hh horse to move out when I am only 5'7''?
Her stride is big and nice, but I couldn't run fast enough for her to do it, what do people do?
Can you show using a quad?  Grin
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Lea Ann
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Re: The Trot
« Reply #1 on: October 06, 2009, 01:53:25 PM »

Find someone faster to run  Wink

I don't necessarily think this means you have to hire a professional, if you have access to a speedy teenager who would be willing to do it and practice a bit at home.
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mtbeardoc
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Re: The Trot
« Reply #2 on: October 06, 2009, 06:15:56 PM »

Dr. Splan from Virginia Tech's advise was to find someone who's legs were as long as the horse.....seemed to make sense.  He sure could trot better than I could with those longer legs.
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stoicfish
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Re: The Trot
« Reply #3 on: October 07, 2009, 12:48:08 PM »

Find someone faster to run  Wink

I don't necessarily think this means you have to hire a professional, if you have access to a speedy teenager who would be willing to do it and practice a bit at home.

I think I just had a mid-life crisis when I read this! lol For some reason never thought of this. I kind of assumed that there was a technique or most people have trouble with tall horses. Too funny.
What does make me feel a bit better - I was at another show and they had young people that you could hire to show your horse and some of them had trouble too with horses with big strides.
That's it I am off to the gym...... Grin

P.S. Just in case the gym thing doesn't work out, -  anyone have a short legged mare for sale, with a choppy stride?   
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Re: The Trot
« Reply #4 on: October 07, 2009, 04:35:44 PM »

May I just say it isn't necessarily about "running faster" but being able to take longer strides in step with the horse and being able to control yourself enough to control the little nuances with the horse.  You can still half halt for example while running alongside the horse.  A good handler does more than just run fast, it is an art and one that I freely admit that I can't do!  Roll Eyes  This is why I hire out at shows.  I can get an ok score with my horse but a pro that is GOOD (and not all pros are good I've gotten very picky on who handles my horses) can increase the score by at least 5 points.
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Re: The Trot
« Reply #5 on: October 07, 2009, 05:12:19 PM »

May I just say it isn't necessarily about "running faster" but being able to take longer strides in step with the horse and being able to control yourself enough to control the little nuances with the horse.  You can still half halt for example while running alongside the horse.  A good handler does more than just run fast, it is an art and one that I freely admit that I can't do!  Roll Eyes  This is why I hire out at shows.  I can get an ok score with my horse but a pro that is GOOD (and not all pros are good I've gotten very picky on who handles my horses) can increase the score by at least 5 points.

Amen, amen, and amen to all of that.  I've shown my own and gotten great scores and have hired pros that were awful.  Beware the ones that spend 30 seconds with her horse and call it good.  They need to spend more time than that. I hired one so-called pro to show a mare at an inspection (non-Trak).  The previous night I'd run her through the triangle and she went fabulously for me.  With him she balked, reared, and wouldn't show her stride.  Result, not only a lower score but a lost sale.  Had I listened to my gut, I'd have shown her myself and got the score and the sale. 

OTOH, there have been times I just knew I couldn't do it, and got a professional to do it, with fantastic results.
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Re: The Trot
« Reply #6 on: October 07, 2009, 08:07:53 PM »

I agree, it is not how fast the trot is. It's the quality. We do not want them to compete against a Standard bred. They need to look natural with rhythm and freedom of the shoulder. I love it when you see the horse float the long line of the triangle. I ran my first born, Meintanzer, and not only was I stressed out to make him look good. It was my horror if the judge asked me to "do it again" There was no more breath in me. I think I have a pic of me and the big boy on this computer. - I can not find it. Found it!

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Re: The Trot
« Reply #7 on: October 08, 2009, 12:25:13 AM »

Meintanzer is floating. Good job. Did it take a lot of practice to get him to move like that in hand?
Or is it just a natural gait that he does no matter what.
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Re: The Trot
« Reply #8 on: October 08, 2009, 05:34:21 AM »

I don't know why I am up at this hour Huh

Meintanzer, aka Monty, has a good natural gait. I think they all do. The thing is to get them comfortable with you running beside them looking like this is a natural, everyday experience!
I start them lounging first (this is a slow process) then I start running in a circle with them while they are lounging. Always keeping in mind of their expression. (looking for a kick-out) Then I take them along a fence or wall and ask for the same thing. It all depends on the horse. How well they understand. I think the hardest part is when they turn 2 years. Now they have to have a bit to be shown. Now you have to have your 2 year old comfortable with the bit. This is when giving to the bit/pressure has to be understood by a 2 year old Roll Eyes The sessions are short and they rewarded often. Lounging and ground driving session are done. I always tell myself "I have time for this"

Thank you for the comment on Monty. I think he is a little tense in the poll, but that was myself telling him this is as fast as I can go.
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Re: The Trot
« Reply #9 on: October 08, 2009, 12:49:27 PM »

Thanks WWF for the response.
I don't think I was prepared. My mare always instantly trots when I ask her, but she is very relaxed and respectful of me beside her, maybe too much so, she plods. In the field she looks like the Black Stallion  Roll Eyes
But the little guy is coming up so this is good advice.
Someone else had the same Q on coth
http://www.chronicleforums.com/Forum/showthread.php?t=227156
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Re: The Trot
« Reply #10 on: October 08, 2009, 09:33:01 PM »

Another tactic that I have used is when I know the horse/foal is going to want to go quicker to a place, let's say to the pasture. I get them ready as I would in a show and we will walk to a place and then with a command, trot or big trot, we head to a point with as much impulsion as I can get out of them and with a big animated stop (by me) so they know to respect and understand that we just had a lesson! I may have a crop/whip with me as a tool for an extension of my hand to guide them to go straight. Never in front of their head, on the side.

I do have a handler show my young horses now, but I have them ready to go. I do as much as I can myself and will have a trainer come in also. They need to know other people are going to ask the same thing. You have to have the horse ready to show. The handler's I have used always work with them the night before or early morning before the show. They know how to present the horse, you have to have them ready.

I wish you the best of success with Boo and your mare. He is kissable Kiss

Connie
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Re: The Trot
« Reply #11 on: October 30, 2009, 10:22:33 PM »

Find someone faster to run  Wink

I don't necessarily think this means you have to hire a professional, if you have access to a speedy teenager who would be willing to do it and practice a bit at home.

Connie's photo was a super example of a non-professional doing a very good job - he looks like he's just floating alongside Connie . . . well, I think she's alongside - can't really see her behind BIG, gorgeous boy Roll Eyes 

Here's the difference when a professional handler shows a horse - while not terribly tall, Bruce Griffin is one of the most skilled handlers in the U.S.  He knows how to really show a horse's trot to best advantage and can run!  This is 3yo Sayyida (Tzigane *Pb* X Pr.St. Schoene Symphonie). 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HDy1f6fOmt0
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Re: The Trot
« Reply #12 on: October 31, 2009, 08:22:03 AM »

I agree about Bruce Kim.  He is one of the best if not the best - he and his wife, Staci, really have a system and he "reads" the horse so well.  There is an art to it really.  I realised very soon in the game that while I "can" do it, I don't do it well enough. 

I'm VERY picky on who handles my horses and there are only a few that I will allow to do it - Bruce is certainly one of the top oes on my list.  I've seen bad handlers and good ones and great ones.  I had one horse (same judge) go with a bad handler and get one score.  Same day/same judge different handler the score went up by over 10 points.  That can be the difference between last and first....

If you are going to show/present your horse to me it just makes the most sense to present your best face forward and give the horse the best chance to shine.  I'm so envious of those that can run their own horses, but I'm also realistic enough to know my limitations.  LOL
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Re: The Trot
« Reply #13 on: November 13, 2009, 11:20:52 AM »

I stand by my statement that being able to run fast is a prerequisite to being able to show a horse effectively in hand.  Sure, its not everything, and I didn't say it was (mentioning PRACTICE in my original post), but 90% of the horses I see shown poorly in hand are because the handler is struggling physically . If the handler, when running all out, has the horse barely in a jog, then the horse has no forward trust that can be used to create a proper half halt. The handler needs to have a gait with impulsion, scope, and adjustability or the horse won't either.  If all of those things are there, then the horse handling skills produce a good showing.

Just like riding takes physical fitness and ability, so does handling.  That's why I had Bruce Griffen show Velluto at Devon and it paid off.

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Re: The Trot
« Reply #14 on: November 13, 2009, 02:44:28 PM »

I agree with you Lea Ann, very good comment.
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Re: The Trot
« Reply #15 on: November 13, 2009, 07:19:55 PM »

That's why I had Bruce Griffen show Velluto at Devon and it paid off.

 

I'll say!   Grin
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Re: The Trot
« Reply #16 on: November 13, 2009, 07:43:42 PM »

Ok, let me clarify this a bit more... it isn't about running "fast" it is about running WELL.  Yes, you have to be physically fit and you have to run fast enough to keep up with the horse, but without the other stuff (the touch, the knowledge, the ablity to get the horse to stand up right etc) it doesn't matter how fast you run.

For example.  My dad is a long distance runner.  He is VERY physically fit.  He can run a fast mile, he can run FOR miles.  But I wouldn't have him handle my horse because, while he can keep up with any horse that is handed to him he can't show that horse to the horse's best ablity which is where all the other stuff comes into play.

I never said that that running fast isn't necessary, I just said that it is not the end all be all of the handleing equation.

for goodness sakes, this was not a personal snipe nor was it anything against anyone.  The OP asked about showing her large horse to the best advantage.  To me, the answer is to get someone that is able to keep up with the horse and show it to it's best advantage which includes more than just running fast.  Sometimes that best person is a pro (and you do have to watch who is a "pro") and soemtiems that is the owner themselves.

I COMMEND those that can do it themselves - I WISH I could get out there and show my horse and not have to pay someone to do it!!!  That would be one less expense for me!!!  Smiley

In my mind, Bruce is the best, or one of the best in the world and highly recommend him.  He not only has long enough strides to keep up with anything, he has the endurance to run around a million times and still look good as well as the "know how" to get the horse to present the best. 
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Re: The Trot
« Reply #17 on: November 13, 2009, 08:41:16 PM »

OK, I have another tactic. I  have the horse before the trot (in the triangle) to stop and yield back, to put their weight on their butt. This is making them to take the first stride with impulsion off  the power of their hind quarters. I saw a judge raise her eyebrows. I think we made an impression. When you have your horse mimic your moves you have a horse understanding what is being asked. This means that I am leaning back in my stance and my horse is doing the same. We take off with engagement from the hind quarters. Those where the days. Thank you my handlers for doing a great job!
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Re: The Trot
« Reply #18 on: November 14, 2009, 07:30:42 AM »

OK, I have another tactic. I  have the horse before the trot (in the triangle) to stop and yield back, to put their weight on their butt. This is making them to take the first stride with impulsion off  the power of their hind quarters. I saw a judge raise her eyebrows. I think we made an impression. When you have your horse mimic your moves you have a horse understanding what is being asked. This means that I am leaning back in my stance and my horse is doing the same. We take off with engagement from the hind quarters. Those where the days. Thank you my handlers for doing a great job!

I've seen this done by both Bruce and Sterling and it DOES work and is a GREAT tactic.  Part of all that "riding knowledge" and so forth.  I've also had them half halt and basically do the same thing on the corner right before the long side - if the whip handler is good they can "pop" the whip as they are pushing off from the corner (again having to set the horse up for this so their weight is on the hind leg coming around the corner and I want to say it is the inside hind leg).  The whip handler is key too - too much "pop" and the horse will bolt forward, too little and the horse is sluggish.  Some horses need the push of the whip and some DON'T.  Takes the handler to feel the horse's mood and to relay it ot the whip and the whip has to pay attention to the horse and the handler.... It is all a big team.
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