Re: Competitive Gaits

[Truman Prevatt <truman.prevatt@netsrq.com>]

Mike,

If Joe Long doesn't see this and answer it send it to him
directly.  As for me I pick the speed and let the horse pick the gait.

Truman

Mike Sofen wrote:
> 
> Great reply, Susan.  Followup question:
> 
> In a horse who has an efficient canter and naturally breaks into it sooner
> than the horses we ride with that have fast trots, are there other downsides
> to doing more miles at the canter than at the trot?  Muscles, joints, etc?
> Someone mentioned that the horses insides " jiggle a particular way at the
> canter" (to use technical jargon).
> 
> Nick will canter for miles (on the flat) at 12-15 mph at a heart rate of
> 105.  To do a 10 mile an hour trot, he'll be at 135-145.  I have been
> training him to do a faster trot, but it seems counter-intuitive to work at
> a gait that requires a higher heart rate.  He's a 14.3 HH polish arab.
> 
> Mike Sofen
> Seattle, WA