ridecamp@endurance.net: [endurance] endurance /self carriage

[endurance] endurance /self carriage

Gwen Dluehosh (dluehosh@vt.edu)
Fri, 15 Mar 1996 16:57:27 -0500

I don't agree with the all of the Arab carriage thing. I would like for
Diane to watch my stallion at the next ride we go to. He carries himself
with his entire bodyrounded and can stretch out EASILY at the trot to keep
up with a canter. In fact, he's a "trotter" and only canters on the track
and if he REALLY wants to catch up. We have a lot of control over what we
do on trail and he has a good rhythm with his head and neck which are
carried quite low compared to some Arabs i have seen. I don't know if this
complete disagreement or just another observation that I have made with his
particular lines- they ALL train like this, especially with sensitive
hands. However, unless he's acting up, he has excellent carriage about him
and he's had it since he was born. Idon't hink it takes two years to build
this, just to reinforce it if the horse is already carrying himself
correctly. He was like this to break as well. I am not putting down what
Diane says, but I think she is describing the more "showring" type Arab
which is a naturally more upright type of horse- you all know the type- the
English pleasure/Park types. The knees come up really high naturally and so
do the hocks. Anyway, mine are more of a western type animal- the neck
doesn't come out quite so high but the carriage is excellent. He will go on
the bit easily and has no trouble doing lateral movements with his head in
the correct position and one of the things I would like to see him do is
dressage at some point.
Anyway, just offering another viewpoint.
Gwen

>> Then we have our Arabs. These guys hit the ground with erect tails and
>> noses pointed to the moon! Watch the babies. The natural way of going
>> is head erect, concave back, elevated croup. Add the weight of a rider
>> and you further "hollow out" the picture. I can get an Arab to travel
>> with his nose on the ground (the ultimate down 'n round), but only after
>> 2 years of careful, correct training--including correct lateral work.
>> Could we hazard a guess that self-carriage for Arabs is different from
>> that of WB & TB's, especially at the trot? Most Arabs going down the
>> trail will have--on average--a more erect way-of-going. Perhaps we need
>> to redefine the concept of self-carriage for the trail horse. Within the
>> normal parameters it is easy to spot that which is "incorrect" -- stiff,
>> stabby gait, hind end dragging along like some kind of caboose,
>> exaggerated arc to the hind legs as the horse approaches a racing trot,
>> little or no freedom in the swing to the head and neck in rhythm to the
>> trot. In fact, it is the concept of "rhythm" which would best define the
>> working gait for an Arab...on trail. (Ring work is different, it is ridden
>> differently and with more control, with emphases placed more on a rigid
>> set of standards for hand/seat/legs).
>>
>> You cannot go miles down the trail in collection, but you can go miles
>> with a natural rhythmic self-carriage appropriate for the breed. I would
>> suggest that the canter is a more appropriate gait, can be done with more
>> "collection" and rounding that the racing trot can possibly achieve.
>> Gaits designed for speed (racing trot and gallop) often call for the very
>> kind of high head-hollow back syndrome we think we should avoid (check out
>> trotters & pacers at your local SB track, watch TB's race). The canter
>> can be controlled with a three point seat system allowing you to manage
>> length of stride, speed and collection. You cannot do that at the trot
>> if you are standing in the stirrups or in a 2-point position. You simply
>> do not have the kind of control that will influence and encourage a more