ridecamp@endurance.net: Arabs and trotting (was: gaited horses)

Arabs and trotting (was: gaited horses)

K S Swigart (katswig@deltanet.com)
Thu, 13 Mar 1997 09:23:37 -0800 (PST)

Just as an addendum to get this trotting on an arab thing in perspective.

Historically speaking, the arabian is not a trotting breed. A bedouin of
the desert would not have been caught dead trotting his horse.

The true arabian is a horse that canters and gallops.

(Note that at an arabian show the "native costume" class requires walk,
canter, and hand gallop--not a trot step taken)

Modern breeders (just look in Arabian Horse World and see the ads for
horses that include the words "and you should see him/her trot" or "lotsa
trot") have been introducing and selecting for the trot in the arabian breed.

But if you want the true horse of the arabian desert, this horse is
not/nor has it ever been selected for its ability to trot. But, boy can
they canter...and they can do it forever.

kat (miss "canter down the trail")
Orange County, Calif.

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