As the trot is naturally rhythmic it is relatively easy to influence the way the horse moves in trot and the rise of the trot can be used to help regulate the pace. As with the walk a good working pace should be consistent and self sustaining, meaning that the horse stays in trot without the need for a constant reminder from the rider.
You should not have the feeling that you are having to constantly restrain the horse to prevent it from cantering. If you need to steady the trot then slow your rising - this sounds impossible but is actually relatively easy. Firstly slightly exaggerate the sitting moment, allowing yourself to sit a little heavier in the saddle. Secondly slightly hold the up moment of the rise as your hips are at the furthest forward and up point; slightly increase that tension between your hips and your reins then, as you sit, allow the tension to relax again so that you don't end up pulling back all the time. (Some horses may not respond well to sitting heavier in the saddle and so if this seems to make your horse go faster then just delay the rising.)
Rising trot should be ridden on the outside diagonal, meaning that the rider sits as the horse's outside shoulder comes back and the inside hindleg hits the ground. This is the moment at which the horse is best able to support the rider's weight in the saddle and it also helps to ensure the horse becomes well muscled. Outside means the outside of a turn or circle. In the riding arena this is generally the side nearest the surrounding fence.
If you have trouble achieving the correct diagonal in trot the following tips should help:
- Ideally you should learn to feel which diagonal you are riding. Practice your awareness by riding on the correct and then incorrect diagonal and notice how different they feel. Often your your inside leg feels steadier when riding on the correct diagonal. If you can not feel it or even if the wrong diagonal feels more comfortable then this may could be due to lack of suppleness or your horse's particular musculature.
- If you need to look to see which diagonal you are on then you need to learn to do it quickly and unobtrusively. Remember that you should sit as the outside shoulder is moving back towards you. You need only lower your eyes to see this; try not to tilt your head or body as this can affect the balance of both you and the horse, but look down your nose!
- If you find the horse's shoulder movement hard to see (and it can be hard especially if your horse is well rounded) then make a very noticeable mark on the horse's shoulder to become your focal point while you practice. Chalk is recommended for this, white or pink, as it is easily removable afterwards. Lower your eyes and watch the mark for a while, saying "forward, backward" etc. Then match your rising to this, rising from the saddle as you say forward and sitting down as you say backwards. Do not forget that you must always watch the outside shoulder so when changing direction you need to sit for two beats and then rise and switch to watching the other shoulder. With practice you should find the movement easy to spot and only need to glance down for a second.
- If you have trouble picking up the correct diagonal to start with it helps to sit for the first 3 trot beats glancing at the shoulder and then starting to rise. This trick is not infallible but does often help!
