DECEMBER 2013 THE RIDER /39


How to Use the Canter-Trot to Truly Engage the Hind End


By Kathy Farrokhzad. The word “engage-


ment” is second to none when it comes to horseback riding. All the disciplines ask for hind end engage- ment, from western perfor- mance to dressage to jumping to endurance rid- ing - there is no other way to move than from the hind end!


We know why we


want engagement: if we can get the horse moving “from the hind end”, the horse can stay sound even while ridden into old age. With more weight shifted to the hind end, there is less dragging on the fore- hand. There is better weight bearing over the back, and the lighter foot- falls save the joints and


tendons. Energy from the hind end is the prerequi- site for horse riding heav- en and we all know that! :- )


However, we might


not be quite as accom- plished when it really comes down to figuring out how we can develop hind end engagement. Many riders think that kicking the horse along and making the legs move faster is the ticket to engagement - but there is nothing further than the truth!


ment is to initiate the movement


The key to engage- from the


horse’s hind end, not the front end or shoulders. So if faster isn’t the


answer, then what is? We need to find out


Greg Aziz - National Steel Car CEO to Partner with Angelstone Tournaments in 2014 Season


of the Year award for their generous support of the Canadian Show Jumping team, demonstrated by their substantial investment in top quality Grand Prix mounts. Parents Greg and Irene have not only supported their daughter’s equestrian goals, but have also given back to the sport by supporting its professionals and multiple Horse Shows. Karina has been an avid competitor at Angelstone


and Karina, have been prominent supporters of the equestrian community and the sport. Throughout the years they have sponsored a multitude of classes includ- ing the National Steel Car Four Bar Challenge at the prestigious Royal Winter Fair Horseshow in both 2001 and 2005. In 2009, they were given the Jump Canada Owner


ROCKWOOD, ON – Angelstone Tournaments is delighted to announce that Greg Aziz, the CEO of National Steel Car, will be partnering with Angelstone Tournaments for the 2014 season. Greg Aziz, his wife Irene, and daughters Natalie


how to ask the horse to reach deeper underneath the body without throwing their weight to the fore- hand, and without speeding up the leg tempo. T here are many meth- ods to teaching engage- ment but the “canter-trot” is relatively easy for both the horse and rider. It also accomplishes the main pur- pose of shifting the weight to the hind end and waking up the horse’s rear engine muscles.


How to “Canter-Trot” Start from the trot Canter (no more than three to five strides) Then Trot Before you get insult-


ed by the seemingly simple instructions above, please take note: it’s not as easy as it sounds!


Possible Errors There might be sever-


al unwanted responses you will have to redirect before you get the desired result. 1. The horse wants to can- ter off into the sunset. Many horses transi-


tion into the canter but then resist breaking back into the trot. There may be many reasons why but invariably, horses have an easier time staying in the canter (and eventually get- ting heavier and heavier to the forehand). This is because it takes a lot of


hind end work to break the momen- tum of the canter! Remember that


this exercise is not intended to be a canter exercise. It is a canter-TROT exercise, so the horse has to break back into the trot within one, two or three canter strides. 2. The horse trots faster. T o engage the hind end, the horse must take a few canter strides. Just mov- ing the legs faster into the trot is com- pletely counterpro-


ductive to establishing hind end engagement. If the horse just trots


along faster, half-halt into a slower trot rhythm, and ask for the canter again. Then trot. 3. The horse shows dis- comfort. There might be ear


pinning, tail swishing, teeth grinding, hopping... you name it. Basically, the horse is indicating either physical discomfort or mental stress. First, ensure that


there is nothing wrong with the tack, and there is noth- ing otherwise physically bothering the horse. If the horse is demonstrating con-


fusion or frustration, you are likely taking him out of his comfort zone (comfort- able = riding on the fore- hand?) and asking him to do something that he hon- estly finds difficult. In this case, be gentle,


calm and patient but be stubborn! Many horses get used to working on a heavy forehand and initially resist bearing weight on the hind legs. If this happens to be the case, then teaching the horse hind end engagement is even more essential than you think! Keep trying for the


canter and when you get it, trot.


What happens after the canter? After the few canter


strides, break back into the trot. This trot should be very different from the trots before the canter. It should feel more active, bouncier and even slower. If the hind legs are truly reaching farther underneath the body, the stride might become longer and more ground-covering. At this point, you


might want to enjoy the trot you have and move into further trot work from here. You might want to develop even more engage- ment and do a few more canter-trots in a row.


Alternately, you


might want to move into a completely new movement that benefits from the deep- er engagement you just achieved. In all scenarios, you


should feel the result of increased engagement in the trot through: - more bounce - longer strides - slower rhythm - deeper hind leg strides underneath the body - rounder horse outline. Be sure to recognize


your horse’s efforts espe- cially as he becomes more aware of the idea of tilting his hind end and stepping deeper underneath the body. When he gets better, he may be able to hold a more engaged canter as well as improve his trot from just a few simple strides. Next time you ride,


try out the canter-trot and see what your horse has to say about it! © 2013 Horse Listening


Bio: Kathy Farrokhzad is an EC coach and writer of the blog, Horse Listening. If you liked what you read here, check out her blog at www.horselistening.com for more articles about horses, riding and life in general.


Tournaments since its inception in 2010. She has com- peted successfully at the highest level of the sport and continues her training with Canadian favorite Karen Cudmore. Angelstone Tournaments is excited to welcome


Greg Aziz to our family of sponsors for our 2014 season. We look forward to a long and successful relationship with the Aziz Family and National Steel Car.


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