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Reference this issue, remember that one has to keep in mind
the terrain and the horse. Here in the Pacific NW, there are many rides that do
not lend themselves to much cantering. Where the footing and terrain allow,
cantering is certainly an option. If for no other reason than it allows the
horse to
use muscles differently and different from those in the trot. In
this sport, there is no hard and fast rule that one can apply other than common
sense. One of my horses seems to use himself better at the canter than my others
and for him, when footing and grade allow, the canter would be our gait of
choice. My main endurance horse is most efficient at her "all day trot" and when
necessary, she can turn on the afterburners and move out nicely at the
trot.
With her, this would be our gait of choice.
I would also like to point out that the choice of words
"extended trot" with reference to endurance, throws up red flags for me. The
true extended trot is especially hard on the legs and should not be encouraged
for extended periods of time. This is one sure way to injure your
horse.
Whatever gait the rider uses, remember that pacing the horse is of
utmost importance.
Of course, my style of riding is not that of the top
competitors. I am not going out to win and although we may top ten, I always try
to "ride my own ride". That is, not get pushed into going faster than I know is
best for my horse (not that the winners don't "ride their own rides"....that is
often why they are consistent winners)
Like anything else, from choice of
saddles to use of bits, you have to decide what works for you and your horse and
not get romanced into adopting some else's choices simply because it is what
works for them.
Pat
----- Original Message -----
From:
"Linda B. Merims" <lbm@xxxxxxxxx>
To: <ridecamp@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent:
Monday, November 04, 2002 10:25 AM
Subject: [RC] Canter vs Extended
Trot
> Leonard.Liesens@xxxxxxxxxx
said:
>
> >- gaits : most don't canter - I do not
understand
> > why - many places were OK for canter especially
in
> > what you call the badlands (and event on dirt road) - I
>
> think this is less traumatic for the horse as long as
> > the
canter is gentle and slow - you guys like the
> > extended trot (we
don't do that anymore in Europe)
>
> Interesting. Remember
that Frank Baines (the great
> 19th/early 20th century endurance rider)
recommended
> cantering as well.
>
> Has anybody--for example
a certain rather obnoxious
> self-taught equine physiologist who runs a
group
> on equine sports nutrition on Yahoo--ever done
>
carefully-controlled treadmill input/output tests
> to see whether the
canter is the more efficient gait
> for any given horse and across the
majority of
> horses?
>
> Linda B. Merims
> lbm@xxxxxxxxx
> Massaachusetts,
USA
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
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