More work at the extended trot.

I'm sitting straight, to keep my weight off the mare's forehand, to allow her to lift her shoulders. I am sitting the trot and not posting it. Western Pleasure horses are shown with a sittiing trot, not a posting trot. If the horse trots so roughly that one cannot sit it, then perhaps the horse is not suitable for the class.

I'm pushing her with my seat and legs. I want her to EXTEND, not just speed up!

Note that I am not getting into her face with the bit and my hands. Note that I am not yanking on her face or making any kind of an issue of how she carries her neck and head!

Correct neck and head carriage for Western Pleasure is a natural result of when the horse is collected and carrying herself in frame;

I am building by small increments here. I am not in any hurry. I am not forcing this mare.

Note that I am not using draw reins and I am not using a martingale. Perhaps there might be a time and place for those pieces of equipment, but I prefer to use my own hands with lots of gentle repetitions.

I will be posting more in this series in a few days. Your comments below.