Endurance.Net Ridecamp Archives

In general - my primary concern about cantering is the fact that it is a 3 
beated gait and the horse is suspended on one foot for an instance during 
the cycle. I think there can be more risk to this than a 2 beated gait 
[trot] when you are on uneven ground [such as on a trail]. I will only ask 
for the canter on a flat smooth area. I will allow a canter in deep sand or 
on an uphill.

Specifically, I avoid the canter with my mare because she usually wants to 
canter as a result of going too fast at the trot to stay balanced, and 
breaks into a canter. She need to learn to trot at that speed without 
breaking. Also, she has an oily hind end at the canter and I feel more 
stable on her at a trot. With more mileage, we can hopefully overcome these 
2 training issues, and I will then refer to the "in general" guidelines I 
set for myself above. BTW, her canter is at just a tad higher HR than her 
fastest trot, so that's less of an issue for me.

Just my preference - I welcome any feedback as I know a lot of people canter 
a lot, but I am wary of it.
Kristen in TX

----- Original Message ----- 
> It would be great to hear from those who use the canter a lot, and what 
> they watch for regarding wear & tear on hard and soft tissues in this gait 
> vs the trot.



=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

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

Ride Long and Ride Safe!!

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=