Fear of trotting (Thanks for the title, NCC)

Why is the trot so scary? Well, that's an easy one. It hurts. MAN, does it hurt. Get out of synch, and torture awaits that most sensitive of areas that we all try to protect. The horses' sheer power as he pushes off his diagonal legs is scary. Horse can THROW you forward just as easily from a trot. Well, of course he can, he's moving, isn't he? 600 to 1500 pound horses all have a lot of power behind their movement. It's physical. Physics. Ya know??

Every reaction has an equal and opposite reaction, and all that crap. Riders have this perception that they are in control of the horse, and that first shove of your butt can be disconcerting. Horse is saying, come along. If you fall back, you bother him, and this can translate into further kerfuffle as you attempt to accelerate, fearfully or foolishly, as this rider is doing here. It's a moebius loopy thing. You want to accelerate, but you hinder his forward, by falling back as he shoves forward off his diagonal hind legs. You both dislike it. Trotting becomes a drag.

To be continued, following a short commercial interlude from our sponsors, brought to you by HorseSticks!

Only one rider in this group would NOT be able to post the trot, without bothering the heck out of his horse. Her horse, whatever. Sticks have no gender. Mind you, I've never really looked to make sure;)

Here's an example of some slightly better riding;)