My instructor tells me to slow down the rhythm of the trot. I feel however that this "fast" trot (in my instructor's opinion) is my horse's natural rhythm. Why do I have to slow him down if it feels "right"?
He is not a big moving horse and only 15hh. He is relaxed and happy, but IS powering along. He feels active, comes over the back and IS on the bit.
Can anybody explain? Thank.
Without actually seeing how you ride, and how your horse goes, it's a bit tricky to say what you are feeling as powerful and forward is actually that. A horse can feel powerful when they are running in the trot, but are not actually using themselves properly.
What I mean is that you should feel like all the power is coming from behind you, and you are being pushed along. When the horse is on the forehand, running, leaning on the bit, it feels a bit like you're riding downhill, and being pulled along.
I'd trust your instructor with what she/he is saying in slow the horse down. They want the horse to work from the hindquarters more, and slowing them (as well as having them truly 'on the bit') makes this happen. I don't know if you're horse is working round, but even if it isn't, a slower trot, with more activity (and tracking up) is better than a fast trot for building muscle and allowing the horse to learn to balance himself. Running is a way of avoiding things.
Hope this helps and doesn't just confuse you more....
what i am guessing your riding instructor is trying to achieve with you is to make the horse use its hindquaters and back so that it is flowing more evenly....
when your asking the horse to slow you still keep your legs on to make sure the impulsion doesn't die...
see you aren't wanting a horse that feels like its a million years old your wanting a horse that feels like got slight passage
you see when you ask for an extended trot you aren't wanting the horse to go faster your wanting an extended stride so its moving its legs freely and easily with big strides and lots of impulsion which you will only get from half halting and pushing to ask for more from the trot than just going faster....