Ridecamp: Re: [RC] canter or trot

Laura

Thanks for this message

.  I totally agree, just like us people every horse is built slightly
different and must preform in her or his personal style.

Joan
----- Original Message -----
From: "Laura Hayes" <mark@xxxxxxxxxx>
To: <ridecamp@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Wednesday, November 06, 2002 6:07 AM
Subject: [RC] canter or trot


> I always like to sit back and read the comments by everyone regarding a
> subject, before I put my two cents in, so I am late weighing in on most
> topics.  There are alot of pretty smart and experienced riders here, so
> there is no use adding my 'me too' too often <g>
>
> I have had some horses who like to trot, and some who canter effortlessly,
> so we did that.
>
> At the NC, my gelding was more comfortable cantering the gentle uphill
> sections with the scattered ankle busting rocks, than trotting.  He seemed
> more sure footed, and never hit a rock.  When asked to trot, he would get
> stumbly.  Go figure. So we trotted or walked the down hills and cantered
the
> up.  He did great at that, though it is not a process I would recommend to
a
> newbie - a little unorthodox - but he and I have been together a long time
> and I trust his judgement. He can go from a nice gentle canter into a long
> gallop very easily.
>
> My new mare, on the other hand, can't canter to save her soul.  She is
stiff
> and pops up to switch leads - throwing me off balance....crazy (we will be
> working on that in an arena this winter).  BUT, she can trot like a
dream -
> long and low with her back round and her hind legs just a swinging.  I
rode
> a great mare for Wayne McMinn years ago named Rushcreek Karmen.  She
> couldn't canter well either, but boy could she trot, and she won many
100s.
>
> My estimation of these two horses, is that the mare will be a 100 mile
> horse, while the gelding does well in 50s.  A 100 will require more of
what
> I call the "100 mile trot" with steady medium type speed, while the 50s
will
> require more periods of speed in areas where the footing allows you to
move
> out.
>
> I can trot all day, but it is nice to canter to rest YOUR muscles also. I
> think maybe the Europeans canter more because of a less varied terrain,
> also.
>
> laura
>
>
>
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 Ridecamp is a service of Endurance Net, http://www.endurance.net.
 Information, Policy, Disclaimer: http://www.endurance.net/Ridecamp
 Subscribe/Unsubscribe http://www.endurance.net/ridecamp/logon.asp

 If you are an AERC member - PLEASE VOTE in the upcoming By-Laws 
 Election!!!! (it takes 2/3rds to tango!!)

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