Hi this is Will Faerber from Art2Ride here with Amber Matusek and her horse Legolas. Today we are going to work a little on lengthening.

Now that we have the horse stabilized in the bridle and she is able to sit to the trot quite nicely without losing his back, we can lengthen in the trot. With a young horse, it is a good idea to rise a couple of strides after the sitting trot and then ask him to lengthen. Look how beautiful he lengthens his stride! Look how he flowed out and his neck got a little bit longer. In the sitting trot, she reaches up and the poll stays up. This was a horse that was very badly broken in the neck, and we are just getting to the point where we can do this without him breaking over in the neck. The fact that he is keeping his poll in the same place is really wonderful for him! Now Amber will begin to rise to the trot and ask him to lengthen, feeling the impulsion come through from behind. She then lets the neck lengthen a little bit and sends him through with her seat. Notice how we only ask the horse to lengthen in the trot while rising and not in the sitting when he is first learning. In her transition to the walk, notice how she stretches up instead of pressing down into the saddle.

Once again, this is Will Faerber from Art2Ride with Amber and Legolas and we will see you all next time!

Art2Ride classical foundation dressage San Diego horse training stride trot Will Faerber