Trotting up is such an important skill to have as an endurance rider. You have to pass a trot up to start the ride, continue out on loops and to complete at the finish. I find getting into a routine with my horses, where I stand, what I do, how I breath, really relaxes them in what can we a stressful environment. With adrenaline running high and lot’s of people around you want to make it as easy and relaxed as possible so that you get the best results.
My trot ups aren’t always perfect, sometimes they just don’t want to expend the energy following a silly human up and down a lane. Sometimes watching the helicopter land outside the vetting is just too exciting to remember to stand still and put their head down for the heart rate to be taken. Nobody is perfect, sometimes we may do the perfect trot up, sometimes it may look like you haven’t got a clue what you’re doing, that’s life.
Here are some of the tips and tricks I have learnt in my 22 years of Endurance riding. I have trotted up shetlands (Yes, an actual 38inch shetland), Welsh cobs, Section A’s and Arabians, they all learnt the same and did the same with a bit of training.
- Teach a command to start the trot, I use my voice, some use body language, turning the horse or swing the end of a rope. Although the rope thing isn’t my personal choice I think it looks a little bit unprofessional and like the horse doesn’t want to go, but that’s just my opinion and it works well for lots of people.
- Hold the rope long and loose, vets are not stupid, you can’t mask lameness by holding the head and if you’re holding on too tight it turns the horses head towards you, making the trot wonky.
- Run beside your horse not in front so that the vet gets a full clear view of the horse and you’re less likely to be asked to trot again because they couldn’t see.
- Decelerate quickly at the ends, the last thing you want is to show a slow, lazy horse dragging its feet.
- Make a wide turn in walk at the top. It gives you time to collect yourself if you have an exuberant pony on your hands. A tight quick turn at trot can sometimes make your horse look stiff.
- Look straight ahead and smile, you’re meant to be having fun after all. The vets are not there to catch you out or spoil your fun. They are there to look after your horse!!!
Beth Endurance 