2016 Miniature Horse WORLD Issues April/May 2016 - Volume 32, Number 2 | Page 22

Incorporating the Trot

School your horse at the trot when he is proficient and listening to you at the
walk. Before trotting, cluck to your horse twice, then immediately tap his ribcage. Allow your horse to trot a few strides forward, then promptly stop, bump
the halter backward and tap your horse’s right shoulder. You want to achieve
these three cues in three seconds so your horse learns to respond to just your
verbal ‘cluck’ cue. Work on your timing and stay repetitive with your cues. Practicing this at the trot will clean up your showmanship stops and create a flowing
energy in your patterns. 

TROUBLESHOOTING TIP
If your horse doesn’t want to walk forward:

✓

Remember to stay at the throat latch of your horse at all times and
continue to tap the side of your horse’s ribcage until he walks forward.
Your horse may try to lean out of the straight line by walking sideways/
side passing. If this happens, use the Hindquarter Control exercise to
divert your horse’s energy and keep his feet moving. If he backs up with
resistance or plants his feet, face your horse on the leading side at a 45
degree angle to the horse’s shoulder and tap his hindquarters around
with the stick until he has consistent energy. Keep him moving and show
him it’s a harder job to move his hindquarters then to walk forward with
you. Once you have his feet moving, go back to your leading position
and ‘cluck, walk and tap’ until your horse walks forward.

Finished Product 
Once your horse isn’t reliant on the
training tools, school this exercise
in a traditional show halter.
(Demonstrated by Sami’s Feels
Like The First Time)

When your horse no longer walks slower or faster than you, and stops with a
slight ‘suck back’ in his body, you’ll know he’s almost ready to graduate to a
regular halter and chain. Over time, you won’t feel the weight of his head in
your leading hand. He’ll be accountable for his body and meet your natural pace. 

About the author
Lana Grieve of Star Point Horsemanship
is an APHA World Champion and Professional Equine Coach for Horses-U.com and
The Horse Training Channel. Lana competes with her two AMHA horses in Open
classes. To view a free video of this exercise
or to purchase the Star Point Horsemanship
Miniature Horse Groundwork Training Series DVD