Bounce, bounce, bounce! Sometimes trotting can seem very bumpy and fast — especially if the horse has long strides and is extremely springy. But you can’t refuse to ride a horse just because he’s got a bumpy trot, can you? A good rider should be able to ride any type of horse, no matter how high he bounces you out of the saddle. Don’t worry — if you ride a bumpy horse regularly, you’ll soon get used to the up-and-down motion, and ride him like you do any other horse.

Trotting is a two-beat gait. This means that when you listen to the footfalls, it sounds like “one-two, one-two.” When a horse trots, he springs from one diagonal pair of legs to the other. The front right leg and the rear left leg move forward together and the front left leg and the rear right leg move forward together. In between this movement is a second when the horse is completely off the ground. This is why the trot feels bumpy. If this sounds confusing, watch a horse as he trots around the ring. It will soon become clear to you.

Asking for the Trot

Your position at the trot should be the same as at the walk.

• Look in the direction you are going.
• Keep your elbows close to your body.
• Keep your hands even and near to the withers.
• Sit deep in the saddle and keep your back straight
• Stretch your legs down and keep them close to your horse’s sides.
• Shorten your reins slightly.
• Squeeze with your legs several times until your horse trots. Posting to the Trot
  Posting (rising) makes trotting more comfortable and less tiring for both you and your horse. When you post, the up-and-down motion of the horse lifts you up out of the saddle naturally. You rise up when one diagonal pair of legs lifts off the ground, and sit down as the same pair returns to the ground. Posting is usually easy unless the horse you’re riding is really bouncy.If you’re finding it difficult to post, count “one-two, one-two” to yourself as your horse moves along. Rise on “one” and sit on “two.” Count until you start to feel a rhythm, then start riding and sitting in time to the horse’s trot.

Diagonals

If you take lessons, you’ve probably had an instructor shout, “You’re on the wrong diagonal!” Whoops! What’s a diagonal? Diagonals are a way of making sure you are up out of the saddle — or sitting down in the saddle — on the correct beat. The diagonal you should be on depends on which direction your horse is traveling in the arena. If you’re on the correct diagonal, it’s easier for your horse to stay balanced. If you are riding around the ring on the right rein (your right rein is on the inside), you should rise and sit in time with your horse’s left foreleg — the front one on the outside of the arena. If you’re riding on the left rein (your left hand is on the inside), you should rise and sit in time with your horse’s right foreleg.

Checking Your Diagonal

It’s easy to check if you’re on the correct diagonal. Just look down with your eyes — not your whole head — and look at your horse’s outside foreleg. When it’s forward, you should be up out of the saddle. When it’s back, you should be sitting in the saddle.

Changing Your Diagonal

When you reverse your direction, you must change your diagonal. It’s easy. Just sit down in the saddle for two beats. Think to yourself: “Up-down, up-down, down-up.” Then you should be on the correct diagonal. When your instructor says that you are on the wrong diagonal sit two beats, then up again. Of course, now that you know all about diagonals, you’ll always be on the correct one!

Trotting at a Show

You must always be on the correct diagonal at a show. A judge will mark you down if she spots you on the wrong diagonal in a flat class. Being on the wrong diagonal can knock you out of the ribbons.

On the Trail

If you’re on a trail ride and there is no inside or outside rein, change your diagonal every once in a while. This helps your horse stay flexible. Some horses are more comfortable to ride on one diagonal than the other, but you must make yourself switch diagonals regularly so your horse doesn’t become “one-sided.”

It happens to everyone once in a while. You ask your horse to canter and off he goes — on the wrong lead! His outside foreleg reaches out farther than his inside foreleg, and his canter feels unbalanced. If you’re lucky, your horse has no problems picking up the correct lead. But if the Young Rider “Help” letters are anything to go by, quite a few of you are having trouble getting your horses on the right lead. So let’s take a look at the canter, and figure out the best way to make sure your horse takes off on the right lead the first time you ask.

Start Off Right

Your horse needs to be trotting at a brisk pace before you ask him to canter. If he’s slopping along with his nose on the ground, it’ll take a while before he gets up enough energy to canter. So gather up your reins and take a firmer hold on his mouth. The reins should be short enough to control your pony, but not so short that they jab him in the mouth as he trots. Continue rising to the trot, but really sit down deeply when you hit the saddle. Sit up straight and squeeze your horse’s sides with both of your legs. Once your horse is trotting with plenty of energy you can ask him to canter.

Asking for the Canter

If you’re having problems getting the correct lead, always ask for the canter in a corner, or while you are trotting in a circle. Here are the correct signals to tell your horse to canter:

• Put your inside leg (the one next to the middle of the arena) near the girth.
• Put your outside leg (the one closest to the arena fence) behind the girth.
• Squeeze with the inside rein so your horse turns in his head slightly. You should be able to see his eyeball before you actually give him the signal to canter.
• Finally, give him a kick with your outside leg (the one behind the girth), Correct Lead?
  If your horse is on the correct lead his inside foreleg will reach out ahead of his outside foreleg. If you’re traveling to the right, your horse is on the “right lead.” If you’re traveling to the left, your horse is on the “left lead.”

  If you’re on the correct lead, your horse will feel smooth at the canter. If he’s on the wrong lead, he may feel bumpy and awkward. If you can’t tell just by “feeling” if your horse is on the correct lead, you’ll need to glance down and look at his inside leg to see if it stretches out farther than his outside leg. Don’t lean forward and look down though, because you’ll unbalance your horse and he might start trotting again. Simply glance down with your eyes — not your whole body!

  Wrong Lead? Try Again Quickly!
  If you’re on the incorrect lead, your horse’s outside foreleg will stretch out farther than his inside leg. If you’re on the wrong lead, bring your horse back to a trot immediately. If you’re near a corner of the arena, squeeze on the inside rein and ask for the canter again. If you aren’t near a corner do a 20-meter circle so your horse is bending his body and ask for the correct lead. Once he takes it, leave the circle and go large around the arena again. Give him a pat to let him know that he’s done the correct thing.

  Wrong Lead Again?
  If your horse seems to be landing on the wrong lead a lot, try cantering him on a lunge line. If he picks up the correct lead with no problem, the problem is probably the rider on his back — um, that’s you! Sometimes a floppy rider can unbalance a horse, and he’ll find it difficult to take off on the correct lead. Or you might not be asking him properly. If you just can’t seem to get the correct lead, it might be time to have lessons with an instructor. She might be able to give you some pointers that can help you work with your horse better.

  Sometimes this little trick works: As you head into a corner, squeeze on the outside rein and ask your pony to turn his head to the outside, then squeeze on the inside rein to make him turn his head to the inside. Just as he’s turning his head, ask him to canter with your leg aids. This method isn’t pretty but it can be effective. Turning his head out, then in, unbalances him slightly, and as he turns to the inside he’ll tend to take off with the inside leg leading. Do this exercise until he gets the lead every time, then go back to the correct way of asking for the lead.

  Advanced Tip

  As you trot, pay attention to your horse’s footfalls-the order in which his hooves hit the ground. If you watch a horse from the ground, his diagonal pairs of legs move together. The front right leg and the rear left leg move forward together and the front left leg and the rear right leg move together.

  When you are trotting, glance down at the outside foreleg. When it is heading back under your horse, ask for the canter. Why? When the outside fore is coming down, his outside hind leg is just about to push off underneath of him; this is the leg that influences how your horse departs in the canter.

  So, glance down. When the outside fore is under your horse, nudge him with your outside leg to ask for the canter.

Got some time on your hands? Feeling a bit bored? Why don’t you join a club! There are lots of horsey clubs to join-and even if you don’t have a horse, you can still sign up and have fun. Being in a club is a great way to meet horse-crazy people like yourself, and you might get to hang around horses.

We looked at a few clubs. One might be perfect for you!

1. The United States Pony Club

Pony Club teaches riding, mounted sports and horse care to young people through the age of 21. Join Pony Club and learn how to look after your horse or pony properly, try a new sport like combined training and take part in special competitions. The Pony Club holds instructional rallies so you can improve your riding skills, and most local clubs have fun summer camps, too. Contact the USPC to get information about a club in your area or check out its website: www.ponyclub.org

USPC, 4071 Ironworks Pike, Lexington, KY 40511; 606-254-PONY

2. 4-H

There’s a 4-H club in almost every town in the United States. The 4-H offers a lot of activities, but the horsey ones will appeal to young riders. Equestrian 4-H groups hold instructional meetings and group trail rides. These clubs hold horse shows to raise money for the club and for charities. Join your local 4-H and it’s likely that you’ll learn horse-care skills, and participate in fun shows. To join your local 4-H, look up your local Cooperative Extension Office in your telephone book under County Government.

4-H, 7100 Connecticut Avenue, Chevy Chase, MD 20815; 301-961-2840 or 1-800-368-7432

3. American Junior Paint Horse Association

It’s fun hanging around other people who love Paint Horses as much as you do. The AJPHA is for all kids interested in Paint Horses. You don’t have to own one to join the club. Members receive a membership card, pin, decal, a subscription to Painted Press and a rulebook. If you join, you’ll also be eligible to take part in fun APHA programs including annual photo, essay and art contests, and you might win an APHA youth scholarship. You can also attend the AJPHA Youth Leadership Conference.

AJPHA, P.O. Box 961023, Fort Worth, TX 76161; 817-439-3400

4. American Quarter Horse Youth Association

The American Quarter Horse Association is dedicated to getting kids hooked on Quarter Horses! More than 30,000 young people, from dozens of countries, are members of their youth association. Wow! That’s a lot of Quarter Horse lovers! AQHYA offers lots of fun activities, including writing, photography and drawing contests. It also offers the Wrangler Star Program which provides you with workbooks that teach you about horse care. This is a four-level program and prizes are awarded to you when you complete a level. The AQHA also hosts a huge world championship show for young people every year in Texas.

AQHYA, P.O. Box 200, Amarillo, TX 79168, 806-376-4811

5. Appaloosa Horse Youth Association

The AHYA was set up so kids could have lots of fun on their Appaloosas. The club has programs which help kids learn how to ride and teaches themhow to train horses properly. It also gives recognition to kids who ride, show and breed Appaloosas. Activities may include team tournaments, speech contests, judging contests, youth clinics, scholarships, shows, meetings and conventions.

The AYA offers a national point system. Points earned may lead to various lifetime awards, annual high point awards and awards to recognize outstanding youth horses. You have to be 18 or under to join the AHYA.

AHYC, 2720 W. Pullman Road, Moscow, ID 83843; (208) 882-5578

6. Arabian Horse Youth

Love Arabian Horses? This is the club for you if you’re under 18. Whether you own a horse or not, you can get experience riding, caring for and showing horses with other kids who love Arabians. As a member, you’ll get a year’s subscription to International Arabian Horse, plus you’ll get to enter lots of contests and be eligible for scholarships and awards. Check out its website or call 303-696-4500 for more information.

Arabian Horse Association, 10805 East Bethany Drive, Aurora, CO 80014

7. American Morgan Horse Association Youth

The AMHAY is open to young people under 22 who want to improve their horsemanship skills and learn all they can about Morgan Horses. You don’t need to own a Morgan to join this association-you just have to love them! When you join the AMHAY you’ll receive lots of cool stuff, including a membership card and decal and lots of information about Morgans. You’ll also be able to work toward Achievement Levels, enter special show classes, participate in photo contests and apply for scholarships.

American Morgan Horse Association, P.O. Box 960, Shelburne, VT 05482; 802-985-4944

8. National High School Rodeo Association

The National High School Rodeo Association was created to give high school students the opportunity to participate and compete in rodeos. Members compete in lots of activities, including cattle cutting, pole bending, barrel racing and team roping.

NHSRA members compete at state levels for local recognition and the top four contestants in each event qualify for the National High School Finals Rodeo held annually in July. More than 1,500 contestants compete for national titles, awards, and scholarships.

NHSRA, 11178 North Huron, Suite 7, Denver, CO 80234; 303 452 0820

9. National Little Britches Rodeo Association

The NLBRA is a western program that features all the rugged events of professional rodeo for boys and girls, ages 8 to 18. Members compete in rodeos that offer classes, including trail classes, breakaway calf roping, barrel racing, pole bending, bull riding, calf roping and team roping. There are more than 150 NLBRA rodeos a year.

As a member of the NLBRA, you’ll receive accident insurance as well as a subscription to the NLBRA News, which is published monthly.

NLBRA, 1045 West Rio Grande, Colorado Springs, CO 80906; 719-389-0333

10. United Thoroughbred Fan Clubs

A club for kids who love Thoroughbreds and are interested in racing. Check out the <ahref=”http: members.aol.=”” com=”” unitedtbfc=”” main.html”=””>Web site to find out what it’s like to work in the racing industry, check out different tracks and learn about lots of famous racehorses. You’ll also get information about big races like the Kentucky Derby-and you might win a chance to attend a top race meet. You’ve got to be 18 or under to join the United Thoroughbred Fan Clubs.</ahref=”http:>

If you have a pony or take care of one, you’ll know that the farrier is one of the most important persons in his life. Sure, you feed him and the vet gives him shots to keep him healthy, but if your pony’s feet are in bad condition, you won’t be able to ride him — and that’s no fun. Like the old saying goes, “No hoof, no horse!”

The farrier is the person who trims your pony’s hooves, and puts shoes on him if needed. A pony’s hooves are like human nails. They grow about a quarter of an inch a month, so they need to be trimmed and filed (rasped) into shape regularly.

If your pony’s hooves get too long, they could crack and make it difficult for him to move properly. His shoes could get loose and fall off. He could also become sore and lame.

So now you see how important the farrier is to your pony. That’s why we decided to talk to a farrier and find out how you can help him do his job.

Farrier Fact File

Eric Johnson works in Lexington, Kentucky, one of the horsiest places on earth. He’s been shoeing for more than 12 years, and he works on all sorts of horses, including eventers, dressage stars, trail horses and Pony Club ponies. Eric likes being a farrier because he can be his own boss and he can set his own hours. “I like horses a lot, too, and that’s a big plus to the job,” explains Eric. Eric admits that being a farrier is a tough job sometimes.

“Having a 1200 pound animal leaning on you all day can be hard,” he says.

We asked Eric what young riders like you can do to make their pony’s shoeing go smoothly, and here’s what he said.

Farrier Tips

1. Be on time for the farrier. If the farrier is coming at 8.30 a.m., be in the barn with your pony. Don’t run up and say, “I’ve got to get my pony out of the field.” Farriers are busy people and have other horses to shoe.

2. Your pony should be clean and dry. If the pony is soaking wet, the farrier will get wet, too.

3. Pick your horse’s feet out before the farrier comes.

4. Be present when your pony is being trimmed or shod. The farrier may need to ask you questions about your pony, or he may ask you to hold your pony.

5. Have a clean, level surface for your farrier to work on. It helps if the area is well lighted, too, so the farrier can see what he’s doing.

6. The shoeing area should be peaceful so your pony is relaxed for the farrier. Eric says, “A jumpy, nervous horse is difficult to shoe. He’ll start associating the bad experience with the farrier.”

7. Your pony should be well-behaved. Eric says that the farrier shouldn’t have to train your pony. Practice picking out your pony’s feet before the farrier comes.

8. If you have a dog, keep an eye on him. Dogs love to chew on hoof that has been trimmed off, and they may get in the way of the farrier.

9. Your pony should be trimmed regularly. Eric recommends every six weeks, but it may be longer or shorter depending on the time of year. Don’t wait until your pony’s hooves are a mess and then call the farrier.

10. Have some fly spray handy, especially in the summer. It’s hard to shoe a horse when he’s twitching flies away.

11. If you have a shoeing emergency — for example, a shoe falls off the day before a show — be polite and friendly when you call your farrier to ask (beg!) him to come out. “Most farriers will be happy to help you out in an emergency,” says Eric.

12. Farriers like to be paid when their shoeing job is finished so make sure Mom or Dad has a check or money ready.

If you’d like to learn more about farriers, check out the American Farriers’ Association’s website.

If you ride hunt-seat style, it’s easy to forget that there are lots of other kids who ride western or saddle seat style. Let’s meet a talented reader who loves putting on her bowler hat, buttoning up her long jacket, and showing off her high-stepping Saddlebred horse in saddleseat classes. Ashley Howard of Lexington, KY, is the proud owner of Mikey, a sleek chestnut 16hh Saddlebred.

Ashley learned how to ride hunt-seat style, but after about a year she discovered the world of saddle seat riding and Saddlebred horses and she switched over. “I loved the way Saddlebreds looked, and I liked the formal style of saddleseat riding,” explains Ashley. Ashley began taking saddle seat lessons, and when she became a more experienced rider, she and her mom began looking for a Saddlebred.

A local trainer found five-year-old Mikey and thought he’d be perfect for Ashley. She was right. Ashley fell in love the minute she spotted the young horse, and after riding him in lessons for a few weeks, and getting to know him, Ashley bought Mikey.

When most people think of Saddlebreds, they picture show horses with extra-long hooves and heavy, specially made shoes. But most Saddlebreds are “naturally shod” — just like your horses and ponies. Mikey wears normal shoes, and his feet are trimmed just like any other pleasure horse.

Ashley rides Mikey in a cutback Lane Fox style saddle with broad, flat flaps. The cutback pommel allows plenty of room for the high-headed motion of a Saddlebred — the saddle won’t rub his withers. The saddle seat is quite flat and very long. This is so a rider can sit back a bit and move her weight away from her horse’s shoulder so he can raise his withers and move his front legs more freely.

Normally Ashley rides Mikey in a simple snaffle bit, but when she goes to shows she uses a double Weymouth bridle with both a snaffle bit and a curb bit. The bridle is thinner and more refined than a regular hunt bridle, and the reins tend to be thinner. Using a colorful patent leather browband, like the one Mikey is wearing jazzes up Saddleseat show bridles.

When Ashley goes to a show, she really dresses up. She wears a dark blue saddle suit. It has a coat with notched lapels and tails that reach down to her knees. Underneath she sports a matching vest and a plain, white button down shirt. Her jodhpurs fit snugly around her thigh and calf, and then flare out over her short, black jodhpur boots. She finishes off her show outfit with a bowler hat and a pair of black gloves.

Ashley explains that while saddle seat riders wear dark saddle suits — gray, blue, black — for equitation classes, for less formal country pleasure classes they can wear brighter colors and really show off their own personal style.

Even though he’s a Saddlebred, Mikey has been trained to walk, trot and canter like ungaited horses. But when he trots, you can tell he’s a Saddlebred because of his high leg action. Sometimes Ashley puts tiny, lightweight chains on his legs to encourage him to lift his legs a little higher. They are tiny chains, though — almost like a bracelet that you or your friends might wear.

Riding saddle seat is a lot different than hunt seat. “You hold your hands higher, like you are carrying a tray of coffee cups,” explains Ashley. “You ride in much longer stirrups, and you grip with your knees and thighs, not your calves. You don’t use a lot of lower leg pressure. Your heels should be down. If someone is watching you from the ground, she should be able to see the bottom of your feet.”

“And you talk a lot more to your horse. Mikey listens to me. When I say trot, he trots.”

A lot of Saddlebreds are taught two gaits when they are young: the slow gait and the rack. The slow gait is a four-beat gait with the same footfalls as the walk. Each foot rises from the ground and hesitates in the air. The rack is a faster version of the slow gait, with footfalls that occur in rapid, even intervals.

Mikey can jump, too! Ashley says that he clears two feet easily and that she is training him to jump higher. She takes him to a lot of local shows, and loves to ride him bareback. Mikey is also is wonderful out on trail rides. What a Saddlebred star!