Trot exercises for an Icelandic horse that naturally tölts

Often, lightening your seat and giving a longer rein will get the horse into trot for a few steps. That does not get at the root of the problem or help the horse with balance and rhythm, though, and the horse will usually choose tölt as soon as it tenses, comes to a bend or similar.

I would recommend getting help from an instructor who works a lot on groundwork, rideability and seat. Finding a more balanced trot is largely about rideability, about being able to support the horse with your seat. The way there often runs through finding rideability in walk, being able to make a transition into trot and trot a few steps with good rhythm, balance and topline, then making a transition back to walk. They can usually only manage short stretches at first, but they enjoy working where they find good balance.

The very best of luck 🌸😊