Mastering timing: How to apply aids effectively at the trot

Good rider timing is the key to achieving accurate, effortless movements that create a harmonious dance between horse and rider. By applying aids at the precise moment a horse can respond, the rider improves communication, balance and overall performance.

Practicing good timing at the trot allows the rider to influence specific hoof movements at the exact moment the horse is physically able to step in the desired direction. This is important not only for turning and lateral work, but also for achieving smooth transitions between and within gaits.

If you haven't yet, read Timing and feel: The key to effective horse training to learn the WHY of practicing good timing and remember - you can only influence a foot that is off the ground!

Understanding the trot footfalls

The trot is a two-beat gait with a moment of suspension between each stride. The horse moves it legs in diagonal pairs:

• Left hind foot moves with the right front foot

• Right hind foot moves with the left front foot

This predictable rhythm makes trot the easiest gait for riders to develop a feel for their horse's footfalls. Rising (posting) trot makes this even easier, as a rider on the correct diagonal will sit in the saddle when the horse's outside front foot and inside hind foot touch the ground.

Tip:

Think of your body in two sections:

• Above the belt line (upper body and reins) influence the horse's front feet.
• Below the belt-line (seat and legs) controls the hind feet.

How to get ‘in time’ at the trot

When riding at rising trot on the correct diagonal, you can influence different feet at specific moments.

• When sitting: The inside front foot and outside hind foot are off the ground and can be influenced.
• When rising: The outside front foot and inside hind foot are off the ground and can be influenced.

Since a rider can only influence a foot that is off the ground, the natural rise-and-fall rhythm of the trot provides the timing needed for precise aids.

Let's explore how this applies to different rein and leg aids.

Timing the front feet with rein aids

Inside front foot control: opening the inside rein

Use this to encourage the horse's inside front foot to step on to a different track.

Exercise: stepping left

• Track left - confirm you are on the correct diagonal.

• Open your left rein slightly just before your seat lands in the saddle (the moment the left front foot is leaving the ground).

• The horse steps across to the left with its inside front foot.

Common mistake: The horse bulges through the outside shoulder - fix this by supporting with the outside rein.

Outside front foot control: closing the outside rein

Use this to prevent excessive bulging through the shoulder when turning.

Still travelling on a track to the left in trot, the rider is preparing to make a left turn, this time the rider will follow the opening inside rein with a supporting outside rein to control the right foot during the turn and contain the outside shoulder.

Tip: Think of bringing the shoulders around a turn - not the head/neck. Give direction with your inside rein then complete the turn with a supporting outside rein.

Exercise: left turn

• Track left - confirm you are on the correct diagonal.

• As you begin to rise out of the saddle, the right front foot is coming off the ground.

• Apply a gentle squeeze on your right rein just as you begin rising.

• The horse turns to the left while maintaining balance.

So putting this together, the rider asks the inside foot to step across with an opening rein as the horse's inside foot is about to come off the ground, then squeezes the outside rein as the horses outside foot is about to come off the ground.

For more advanced horse and rider combinations who have an established effective half-halt from the seat, a half-halt without the rein squeeze can be applied in this timing for the same result.

Outside front foot control: closing the outside rein

Use this to encourage the horse to step out onto a larger track with the shoulders leading.

Imagine riding on a 10m circle and asking the horse to step out on to an 11m circle (by shoulder control, not a leg yield).

Exercise: Moving from a 10m circle to an 11m circle

• Track left, confirm you're on the correct diagonal.
• As you rise out of the saddle, the right (outside) front foot is lifting.
• Open the outside rein slightly just as you start rising.
• The horse steps out to a larger track, shoulders first, following this opening rein.

Note: Maintain inside flexion to prevent the horse from making a direct turn out on to the new track. Keep an active trot to help the horse flow out to the new track - both legs staying at the girth as this is not a leg yield exercise.

Timing of the hind feet with leg aids

Leg yield (forwards and sideways)

In leg yield, the horse moves forward and sideways, crossing its inside legs over its outside legs while remaining straight through the body.

Note: if you haven't yet, read Mastering timing: how to apply aids effectively at the walk which explains timing of a 1/4 turn on the forehand.

In leg yield, the rider may need to ask for a bit more sideways with the inside hind leg. This correction needs to be applied in time with the inside hind foot coming off the ground.

Exercise: more sideways with the inside hind leg

• Apply your inside leg (slightly behind the girth) as the horse's inside hind foot is coming off the ground.
• This is the same time the outside front foot is coming off the ground.

Tip: If the horse leads too much with the shoulders, use the outside rein (as explained in the above section) to slow the shoulders and keep the horse parallel.

Final thoughts

Good timing creates clearer communication and effortless movement.

If this all feels like a lot to process, don't worry! Timing takes practice and subconscious feel will develop over time.

If your horse is not responding to your aids it is helpful to take the exercise back to the walk (or even the halt) and check the horse's understanding and response to basic shoulder and hindquarter control aids.

You might also like to read: Mastering horse training: teach understanding before expecting more.

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