Horse becomes tense at trot

Question

ok. so i used to always let my horse stretch out at an extended trot after canter work. so now whenever i go down to trot he wants to go extended but in shows they always ask from canter to trot. he will go at a nice pass but then his head will get all tight. i know i could do bending and work the bit and talk to him. any other ideas?

Answer 1

Get him out of the arena and on some trails, fields, then down the road where you can just work on his trot...when you finally get it down, canter, then bring him back to that little slow trot...break the pattern that you have set for him, just create a new on, he will get it if you will be patient and persistent and consistent.

Answer 2

Stop ridingit naked then it may not get so tense

Answer 3

+ 2 points

Answer 4

idk any sorry

Answer 5

Lots and lots of transitions.

I'd set up a pattern with some cones.  in your arena, place cones at the 12 o'clock, 3 o'clock, 6 o'clock, and 9 o'clock positions.  I would then ask for a transition at every cone.  it is OK to do canter-trot, trot-canter, canter-trot for a while until the horse gets used to things, it's even OK for him to anticipate at this point.  The point of the pattern is to get him comfortabable with the lead changes.  Once he is loose and moving nicely, add additional gaits (walk, hault, stop) to your transitions.  The patterns help introduce some consistency, a lot of horses really do well with that, especially when you need them to relax.