Is there anyway to fix a horrible trot?

Question

I'm looking for a horse to buy, and I found a great horse. He had great manners, was a wonderful jumper, but his trot was absolutley horrible. It was just so rough! Even with his head down and his back rounded, it was better, but still so rough and bouncy. Is there anyway to make the trot smoother? His canter and walk are perfectly fine. I just don't know whether I could ride the trot everyday, I was sooOo sore the next day. I've ridden hundreds of horses in my life, but i've never ridden that horrible of a trot. Is there any trainer's secret to how they smooth it out?

Answer 1

it sounds like the owner is doing what is necessary to collect this horse and smooth him out so it sounds like conformation issue. unfortunately this cannot be fixed, straight shoulders and pasterns lead to a short stride and choppy gaits.

Answer 2

is it fast? maybe slow him down. work with him in the round pen. and also maybe do some lunge line work! good luck i hope you have sum more luck than i did with my pony! trust me i know what your going through!

Answer 3

Does he stride out?  He could just be doing and up and down trot instead of an extended trot.  You might want to talk to your trainer (if you have one), and see what he/she has to say about it.  You might just have to get used to his trot.  I am sure that with a few more rides that you will get used to it.  Some horses have really nice flowing trots, while others have rough trots.  Every horse is different.  Although, his gaits could be like that because of the way he has been/ is being ridden.  If his trot was the only thing wrong, then don't let that prevent you from buying him.  You might just want to do some exercises to get him to stride out.  Maybe try trot poles, and spread them out further and further away, so then he has to keep reaching

Edit:  Okay, since he does stride out and collects, then it might be a conformation problem.  If it is, then there is nothing you can do about it.  If you like the horse a lot, then maybe you should consider getting a vet out so he/she can tell you what they think.  If you don't like the horse, or are having serious doubts, then maybe you should pass on this horse.

Answer 4

I would take a trainer with you to look at the horse and see if thee is anything that can be done.  But if he is so well trained that he is a wonderful jumper and his canter is really good there may be nothing you can do

Answer 5

Well, unfortunatly, there is no way to fix his trot. Thoroughbreds have naturally bumpy trots that are hard to sit. Before you go and buy this horse, however, I am going to educate you on the lack of durability a thoroughbred has. They always hurt themselves and come up lame. You can turn them out in the pasture one night and go to get them the next morning and find that your horse is unsound. Unfortuneatly, that is the nature of the thoroughbred; very sweet and friendly but a horrid clutz.

So, if you do not want an outrageous vet bill every month, I would suggest you opt for another horse.

I'm terribly sorry to bring you the bad news.

Answer 6

im 15 but i train horses as my job.

Some horses just have a strange way of moving. im guessing this is a Quarter Horse. An uncomfortable trot is probably from an uncomfortable horse. Slow him down... tug on the reins lightly and increase intensity until he drops his pace down to a comfortable speed. remembering to keep a light leg on him so he doesn't drop out. If he is slow but stilll has an bad trot, it could be because he is still not completely at ease with his possible new surroundings or a new rider.

you can try going in and out of the trot getting him tired enough to take this easy because of being tired

Answer 7

You should be able to put a lot of extra leg to push the horse forward! If he stretches out his trot shouldn't  be so bumpy. I ride a horse like that but he is awesome wen he is stretched out. Lunge him A LOT

Answer 8

I would like to know what bread of horse you have that would help determine how you can be helped

Answer 9

Thoroughbreds naturally have a bouncy trot. They were bred to run, not so much trot.:)

Answer 10

its probably conformation, and therefore not fixable. I rode a horse  like that once - straight shoulders & pasterns, plus  a long back. Thoroughbred. He had a trot like a jackhammer! Great canter though. I believe he was a dressage horse, I have no idea how anyone could have sat that trot!

Answer 11

There is a limit to what you can do about a rough trot.  Most rough gaits are caused by conformation.  In this case it sounds as though this horse has a very upright shoulder angle and upright pasterns.  That conformational defect will limit his ability to extend at the trot and cause him to move with a short, choppy, pounding gait.

Answer 12

I have a new horse who also has a terrible trot, very bumpy.If your horse is like mine, the secret will be slowing the trot down, sometimes called a "collected" trot. She needs to learn how to use her hind end.  I ride western (trails and fun-day events) but have little formal training. My daughter is very experienced in English, and has a trainer she has learned very much from. She taught me how to work with my horse, and the results were amazing. Here's what she taught me: I ask for the trot, and when she goes too fast and bumpy, I slow her down with  gentle, steady contact on the bit. At the same time, I keep her going with steady pressure on her sides with  my legs (the calf, not the feet). In other words, ask her to go (with my squeezing legs), and at the same time, ask her to slow down(with the gentle contact on her mouth). Now that she will trot slowly, I work her by slowly trotting serpentines (s-curves in all directions, all over the arena). The results from doing this were immediate, but I will have to practice it regularly until she remembers to always do it.

Answer 13

I hate to be the bringer of bad news but even if you can smooth out the jog he may never will be the "best" trotter. Mabey I'm wrong and I hope I am. But if your really want to get seriously into the dressage you may need to look at some other horses. I hope you find the perfect horse whether it's this one or a different one!

Remember every horse has a flaw and I have know other peoples horse who have very uncomfortable gaits but over time they learn to sit it well. Mabey time is all you need for this TB's trot! I hope so! Goodluck!

Answer 14

I would like to know if he has an old injury?  You may want him vet checked.  Bad riders are many times the cause of bad gaits.  A good rider can improve the gait of a horse, but not always.  Check for injury first and I agree with the first answerer, have your trainer watch you ride him.  I just love my QH gelding but my daughter just rode him for the first time and she thinks he's too "bouncy".  But she rides a TWH so....

she's used to that smooth gait.  I tell her when she's more experienced she will ride the QH just fine, good riding can make the difference. But you need to ride lots of different horses to get the experience.  Don't rule him out yet. He may be a "diamond in the rough".

Answer 15

maybe try trot poles or cavaletties. the trot poles will also even out the steps and/or balance your horses gait. although, many horses have a bad gait. good luck