Ridecamp: Re: [RC] [RC] [RC] Born to Trot?

> I am curious if there is any correlation between a just great, long walk
and
> at least a foot overreach in a baby.....and how they will travel as
adults.
> I bought a 5 week old filly based on this long walk.....now, at age 3, I
> just don't see it.  The legs are still long!

In my experience, babies pretty much all have an overreach--so no, there
isn't much correlation.  At that age, they are all legs with extremely short
little bodies (relatively) and biomechanically, they'd really have to be
poking NOT to have an overreach.  I do think you can start to see them sort
out by the time they are yearlings.

I also don't see much correlation between long legs in the adult and an
overreach.  The best walking horses I've had have all been very
proportionate (the height being close to 50% body depth and 50% leg, and the
body being quite close to the 3-circle ideal), and the ability to overreach
is determined by the ability of the back to round and the pelvis and loin to
properly tuck and flex.  The good walkers really get under themselves, and
are very light in the front end.

Heidi


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