Hello all I was just wondering if for a standardbred trotter off the track what is easy to use to train it to canter and trot properly, a western or english saddle, I think western more because it gives them more length for there legs to reach out but then also English is good to get the bend and collecting of the trot and canter in there so I am leaving it up to you all what is better to train a trotter under!?! this is my first trotter ever so I am being careful not to hurt her. thanks!
2007-03-05 06:23:14 · 12 answers · asked by ~*Twilight Star*~ 3 in Pets ➔ Other - Pets
Twilights:
It really is a matter of what suits you best,and what discipline you are working towards.If she vetted out sound,you will not hurt her. Her natural inclination to trot fast can be reworked on the longing,where she can learn voice commands and how to rate herself to slow down and collect her gait.She is used to speed, and flat work is a great way to retrain her to move nicely in a circle,understand the WHOA and good girl,and how to segue to a canter from the walk.Then she will be much safer to begin riding,with much less chance of going too fast or not understanding the canter.
Either saddle has merits,and the one that fits best and is most comfortable for you will do the trick equally. When your happy,she will be happy :)
Good Luck on your re-training!
2007-03-05 07:06:05 · answer #1 · answered by Zair 4 · 4⤊ 1⤋
I am training a trotter right now and have helped train many including Pompano's horse of the year. 1st and foremost..... do all your ground work before attempting under saddle. Slow her down and put her in her but. SHE WILL NOT CANTER IF SHE LOCKS HER BACK. Which is how they are raced - frozen w/ heads up. How long has she been off the track? How old is she? Have you ridden her? Standardbreds ARE NOT ALLOWED to canter at the track, so training them to perform a canter can be difficult. Has she been turned out with other horses that do canter so she can see/hear what the canter sounds like? Have you lunged her? There are many questions you need to ask before you try and ask for this under saddle. That being said, you need to make sure that if you use a western saddle it has enough room for her withers. SB's have very high withers that dont typically fit into western saddles. If you confine her withers & shoulders, she will lock her back as well. We use english wintec saddles w/ the interchangeable trees. If you want a western, we have had good success with Abetta endurance saddles. Please email me @ sherwright@yahoo.com. I can give you lots of advice. My trainer has been rescuing and retraining SB's for over 40 years. I took 1st place in my 1st dressage show w/ a SB.
2007-03-07 13:00:01 · answer #2 · answered by Sherri W 1 · 1⤊ 2⤋
When I retrain ex-racers I start off with english saddle but really only because I can tell what the horse is doing under me better that if I have the large clunkly western saddle.
When I train in the arena and work on things like trot and canter and teaching them a new pace I use the english saddle.
You can use what ever you feel more comfortable in.
2007-03-05 06:44:40 · answer #3 · answered by tlctreecare 7 · 0⤊ 4⤋
the type of saddle you use is really quite irrelevant. you can let your horse stretch out and open up in an English saddle and you can ask your horse fr collection while riding in a western saddle. Just use what your more comfortable with. I'm a hunter and I start all of my horses in a western saddle simply because I'm more comfortable in it. If my colt darts quickly out from underneath me or decides to change direction in the blink of an eye i can stay with him easier but as we become more comfortable i change over to the English since jumping in a wastern saddle is not very comfortable :) but my style of riding does not change from saddle to saddle. I'd say, that the type of saddle wont make much of a difference to the fact that you have a trotter since your style probably doesn't change much. use whatever is comfortable.
2007-03-05 07:05:40 · answer #4 · answered by Doe 2 · 2⤊ 2⤋
It all depend on what you a comfortable with. If you ride English train English and If ride western train western. If you can ride both then train in what you want the horse to do.
I knew someone who trained her retired TB racer with a western saddle and they did will together. Me person would use western, only because that is what I know and have only ridden English 2x.
Good Luck!!
2007-03-06 02:07:20 · answer #5 · answered by Sun 3 · 1⤊ 3⤋
Both have their points! I have always used english for my girls but its all I've had. The best piece of advice that I've been given when getting my former pacer SB confident at a trot and canter is "Keep yourself as even as you can up there and let the horse work it out underneath you". This is difficult when it feels like she is trying to do 3 gaits at once but it gives her the most confidence! Good luck, have fun!
2007-03-05 16:13:43 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 3⤋
English... the saddle interferes with movement far less, and also the placement of the saddle puts you more over the horse's center of gravity, which will make it much easier for her to learn the gaits that she is not familiar with. Also the saddle is much lighter and will be easier for her to adapt to.
GOOD LUCK!
2007-03-05 06:45:06 · answer #7 · answered by ♥♥♥ Mommy to Two ♥♥♥ 5 · 0⤊ 4⤋
Start with Western and see how it goes . If you aren't happy with the way she's going then go English .
You know you can do it either way under Western equiptment , if you like .
It really makes no difference . It's what you prefer. Good luck !
2007-03-05 06:30:22 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 4⤋
english
2007-03-05 07:14:42 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 3⤋
if i were u i woul use western. It is easy to use and you stay on the horse bucks. happy training.
2007-03-05 06:33:01 · answer #10 · answered by www.kelly_white 1 · 0⤊ 4⤋