>My mare is naturally gaited. She has lots of overstride
and a medium speed running walk. As soon as we approach even a slight decline
she shortens her stride and gets pacey. It's very hard to explain but it feels
like her hind is running up on her fore. This mare also has a nice road trot so
I am teaching her to slow jog instead of pace. The downhills though feel
like a 2 beat bounce...sort of like when a trotting horse jigs. She jigs, but it
is in pace if that makes sense. BTW she has almost a level topline, nice wither
and is upheaded (she is Morgan). Correct leg conformation...no stick legs like
some gaited horses.
Does the level topline consist of a level croup, or
is the hip somewhat level as well? A horse can well have a level topline
and a well-angulated hip, or the level topline can come in part because the
pelvis is too flat. The former is great; the latter is a problem going
downhill. Likewise, the "upheadedness" could be a disadvantage, because in
order to properly round, a horse must telescope the head OUT, not put it
up. Do a simple exercise--put your head back (which would be up for a
horse) and then try to round your back. Now, relax your head and let it go
forward--and see how much easier it is to round your back. This
relationship is even more important to the horse. The tendency to put the
head up is a real stumbling block to going downhill well.
