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RE: [RC] [RC] Trot question for the engineers - Sharon LevasseurMy horse is short-bodied and average-legged. He's about 14.3h and can trot 13mph with a 22" overstride. Yes, that's correct, I even measured. He frog-trots when extending... that's what I call it when he spreads his hind legs. Long moment of suspension. Very difficult to ride, you need strong tummy muscles to stay out of the saddle that extra time. We used to ride with a long-bodied, long-legged mare who could trot almost 17mph. She trotted with her hind feet in line with her front feet. Riding that mare was like riding a cloud, you couldn't even tell how fast you were going. I was constantly playing catchup because her rider wouldn't realize how far back we were falling. My gelding is holding up well to light competition of distances up to 50 miles. I don't let him do that extended trot the whole time, of course... I'd rather keep him under 10mph. The mare got sold for unrelated reasons so I don't know how she has held up. Their heart rates were comparable when moving, but my gelding always recovered lower and faster. Might have been his breed (Arab/RMH) as compared to hers (App/TB)... or it might have just been that she got real excited at rides. -Sharon L. in Maine Quoting Ranelle Rubin <raneller@xxxxxxx>: Dot, Having one of each, I will tell you what I have observed: The horse who stays "in line" in his trot is a more efficient smoother ride. He seems to trot along effortlessly, with a low heart rate. After traveling behind me for many miles at a multi-day ride, Ann Hall told me he will have a distinct advantage at Tevis in that he will not be bothered by the narrow rutted trails because he travels that way. The one who widens her stride at the extended trot (to avoid hitting the back of her front feet) is suspended longer in between strides, and has that floaty trot. She, however is not as smooth, and travels at a higher heart rate overall on the flats. She leaves the ground higher which feels wonderful, but time will tell if she holds up with that long stretchy trot. They are at the opposite ends of the spectrum as far as how they are built..She is longer legged, and smaller bodied, he is shorter legged and bigger bodied. His neck is much shorter and more compact than hers. Hope this helps. Ranelle Rubin R.Rubin Consulting raneller@xxxxxxx 916-663-4140 home office 916-718-2427 cellular 916-848-3662 faxFrom: "Dot Wiggins" <dotwgns@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> To: "ridecamp" <ridecamp@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> Subject: [RC] Trot question for the engineers Date: Sat, 14 Apr 2007 11:00:43 -0600 Horses have different ways of moving at the big trot. Some spread their hind legs to the outside and may even pass the fronts during the stride. Some stride directly in line with the front leg flight path.From a "power" point, which do you feel is more efficient? Pushing offwith the hinds directly in line with forward motion, or pushing off from a line outside the body mass? Which is apt to use the "top line" muscle/bone structure with the least effort? I've watched a lot of horses, and ridden a few, with both actions and have some feelings about it. Just wondering what others think when selecting a horse for endurance.. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= 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!! =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= 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!! =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= 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!! =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
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