Horse glossary
Trot
A faster two-beat gait.
In Spanish: Trote
What it means
The trot is a two-beat gait in which the horse moves its legs in diagonal pairs: left front with right hind, then right front with left hind. Between each beat there is a brief moment when all four feet are off the ground. The trot averages about 8 miles (13 kilometers) per hour.
Why it matters
The trot is the gait where riders spend much of their lessons. Its steady rhythm builds balance and strength for horse and rider, but the bounce takes practice to ride smoothly.
Example
Posting helps you ride the trot smoothly.
Try this
In the rising or posting trot, you let the horse's movement lift you slightly out of the saddle on one beat and sit softly on the next. Counting "up, down" out loud helps you find the rhythm.
Common mistake
A common mistake is pushing yourself up with your legs or pulling on the reins to rise. Let the horse's motion do the work and keep your hands still.