No derision here - I get excited if I get a forward trot on Hogan!
Forgive me as I am old and vague. But I cant remember, is there any physical reason why Hogan does ot go forward for you in trot?
Two or three times I watched Mark Rashid help a rider get their horse more forward. Rashid explains that horses are genetically geared to save energy output. And it is often the first thing I need to do when I take a w t c test as I am given the oldest safest RS horse.
From a safety point of view I thought it a good thing to have Ella relaxed and completely slow like an old donkey. But Rashid teaches one technique to up one's own energy and thus up the energy of the horse.
If you dont like the trot. Come back to walk and ask again. Ella had this safety thing of needing kicking forward on every step so I returned from a hack more tired than she was. My solution is depedent on feel and fine judgement but pretty near the start of the hack (first or secod trot) I sometimes bring my whip down firmly on my own boot or even just wave it in the air over her shoulder so she can see it.
On the RS horse's if I had no whip I found that bringing ones hand down on one's thigh had the same effect as the whip.
But I sometimes wonder whether it isnt my fault? That my thumbs are not pointing forward and my hands relaxed. That the uncertainty of possible deer, dogs, people and trees means I am impeding her trot. I have fussed about rising trot ever since I learned to ride and my current style is minimalist. One of my first solo hacks I rode Ella very collected and with an upright rise, more like Jane does, and my hips hurt so much the next day that I never did it again.
The poor horse is in a no win situation. I get tired and fed up if she plods. But I frighten myself if she flies along. I think she much prefers canter to trot.