An overview of the trot of the Spanish horse
The trot is brilliant, elevated, suspended, hind end driven, and extended (all in equal portion). It is a two-beat gate, with diagonal pairs striking the ground at the same time (Left hind and front right, and right hind and left front). Like the walk, the hind end is the MOST important factor in the trot. Trots may be manufactured and trained. Here we will be discussing the natural trot, not one manufactured or augmented by training.
In todays competitive arenas there are many, many examples of unbalanced trots. To the untrained eye these leg flicking flashy movements are impressive, however when you break down the actual movement, the incorrect movement will make you cringe.
In this article we will address the natural correct and incorrect trot.
Please note below are examples of some extremes, and are used as generalities. These should not be used in shot for shot comparison but in generalizations when viewing the over all movement of the Spanish Horse.
Extension
Extension is the amount of forward reach in the trot. This is determined by the angles of the forelegs and aided by the amount of suspension, elevation, and impulsion of the hind. Extension should come from the shoulder of the horse. Horses that only extend from the knee down (due to lack of elevation) have a ‘fake trot’ which is not correct to the breed.
“Fake trot” is often seen when a horses humerus is too short, this will be further explained in the shoulder conformation section. Without a lift in the front shoulder there can be no true extension.
Good Extension
This is correct extension in the stride, the hind end is engaged, the horse is covering ground equally. There is no large difference in the lines between the diagonal pairs.
Bad Extension
This, to the uneducated eye looks like impressive extension, look at that front end… however look at the hind end. With no power you have a ‘fake extension’ this is a horse that will flick from the knee in the trot. Without the hind end working correctly it is impossible for the horse to be balanced. This is movement that should not be bred, as this is false movement.
Elevation
Elevation: The elevation ideally is equal in the hind end and the front end. Horses that only trot high in the front, do not have enough hind end engagement. Horses that have an elevated hind end and a flat front end, do not have enough elevation in the front end. This is seen when the angle of the shoulder and the angle of the hip (and or length) are not complimentary. Ideally horses should elevate at the level, so when the front leg lifts the distance from the knee to the chest is parallel to the line, horses that elevate above level are rare and considered to have a very good trot. Keep in mind the horses hind end much match the amount of lift that is seen in the front end. Making horses that trot above level seem to tap their bellies with their hind legs when trotting.
Good Elevation
This is correct elevation in the trot, notice that the elevation of the front end matches the elevation of the hind end. The higher the elevation the more extension, and suspension the horse can have.
Bad Elevation
As always we look at the hind end first, this is the motor of the movement. Notice the length between the top of the croup to the bottom of the leg, then compare it to the distance between the top of the shoulder and the bottom of the leg. This horse is unbalanced in conformation, the front end does not elevate the same as the hind end. This is a trait that should NOT be bred.
Now this inbalance under saddle may not alwasy be a result of natural movement. Horses who are incorrectly trained may be schooled to engage more in the hind end or front end instead of asking the horse to lift the body they are tought to lift their legs.
Impulsion
Impulsion: this is the ‘sit’ of the hind end as it pushes off the ground and gives the trot its power. The amount of sit (difference between the top of the croup while trotting and the top of the wither) is a major factor in a good trot. Without Impulsion you cannot have lightness in the trot. Some horses do not push and trot very flat, but the Spanish horse should be able (due to the conformation of a low tail set, and proper hind end angle) to drive from the hind end. This movement elevates the front end of the horse allowing the shoulder, and foreleg to lift making elevation and extension possible.
Good Impulsion
This is correct impulsion, notice the power of the movement starting in the hind end and lifting the front end, allowing the shoulder to move freely.
Often times this is referred to the “sit”, as the top of the horses hind end drops as the hip and hind end engages and transfers the power to lift the front end.
Bad Impulsion
Here we see a total lack of power coming from the hind end, there is no sit, and the shoulder is not lifting in the stride.
Lack of impulsion is seen as a lack of “sit” or power from the hind end, horses do not lift or move forward at the trot.
Suspension
Suspension: This is the float, bounce, or air time you see when a horse trots. A horse with a good trot will seem to float on top of the movement, covering more ground with each stride than a more ‘ground bound’ horse will. A horse with good suspension will have very good extension as it gives the body time to balance in the air and more time to bring the forelimb forward in each stride.
Good Suspension
Notice the distance between the ground and the horse, this is good suspension, it is the bounce when all four feet are seen to be off of the ground. This is an example of a trait that should be bred
You will often hear us refer to this as “four off the floor” referring to all four of the horses hooves simultaneously off the ground in the trot.
Bad Suspension
Notice when all four legs are engaged there is a lack of ‘float’ or ‘bounce’. There is no air time in the trot. This is NOT something that should be bred.
In addition, horses that do not suspend equally, i.e. one foot remains on the ground while the other three are off (in the trot), or horses that have more “air time” on one side of their body as compaired to the other.
When judging the movement of the spanish horse you must look at the movement as a whole. If a horse just has elevation and impulsion but lacks suspension and or extension, then the horse may be lovely to look at but will not score as well when compaired to a horse that excells in all four aspects of the trot.
When we look at a horses trot, we rate them on each aspect of the movement, and with an overall score. As a breeder we consider not only the horse in front of us but also the breeding potential and the attributes that may be passed onto that horses foals.
Below you will find several quick clips of spanish horses trotting, and how we would rate them. Note these are horses who are moving naturally and have not been schooled to move in a particular way.
- Extension
- Impulsion
- Elevation
- Suspension
- Overall
- Extension
- Impulsion
- Elevation
- Suspension
- Overall
- Extension
- Impulsion
- Elevation
- Suspension
- Overall
- Extension
- Impulsion
- Elevation
- Suspension
- Overall
- Extension
- Impulsion
- Elevation
- Suspension
- Overall
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