Endurance.Net Ridecamp Archives

Hello All,

Okay, I'm admittedly not an expert on gaited horses, but I've always 
been under the impression that TWH (and other gaited horses) were 
pretty much born with their gaits BUT they could be greatly influenced 
by both shoeing  (angles, weights, etc) and  collection. (I'm not a 
total virgin here... I've owned and ridden Hackneys and TWH)

If a horse is shod correctly, basing angles and balance on 
conformation, it should do a gait that is natural for that horse, 
right?  And if that horse is "on the bit" and collected, it should be 
able to naturally travel in a comfortable(for the horse) and effortless 
manner, right?

Keeping both those things in mind, doesn't it stand to reason that if a 
horse is built to do a certain gait, but doesn't (or is inconsistent) 
that there is a shoing and/or collection issue?

And doesn't it also makes sense that training (or shoeing) a horse to 
do a gait it doesn't do naturally is going to put undue stresses on 
that horse?

What I am trying to say here is that any horse can be made to move in a 
manner that is not in it's nature, and that it's probably not a good 
thing, especially over time. I think it's important not to mess with 
Mother Nature anymore than is nescessary.

That said, I've got four horses enjoying a nap in the sun.... I'm going 
to ride!

Julie

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Common sense should also be a part of the decision making process. If you
see someone who doesn't have any, hand them your tool box.
~ Lisa Salas - The Odd Farm

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