Re: RC: Efficient gaits question

[Maureen Mathisen <blueoak@snowcrest.net>]

Hi Ti,

All I know is that I think the trot is much more energy efficient,
especially in l00 milers.  I think in 50's or less, maybe not so
important. When I used a monitor, I had the opposite effect (on the
flat) than you had.  It always dropped at the trot, and went up at
gallop, but sometimes settled down after a few strides.  I think
basically if a horse has to cover a lot of ground for a long time, the
trot will normally  be the easiest on him if he is allowed to "break"
when he needs to. But-like I said, each horse is different and should be
evaluated differently.   My one mare did an excellent job at a "hand
gallop" and really seemed to enjoy herself more than she did when
trotting.
Maureen

Tivers@aol.com wrote:
> 
> In a message dated 4/2/99 12:58:52 PM Pacific Standard Time,
> fasterhorses@gilanet.com writes:
> 
> << Yeah, Maureen, it's always been my understanding about the trot,
>  endurance and the 2 foot on the ground thing.  But like I said, after
>  seeing Virl just loping away there, it seemed like my horse, who really
>  loved to trot and had a very fast one, like you described, was actually
>  working much harder than his horse.  Of course, that grey of Virl's had
>  real long legs, and my Froggie was just 14.3, 3/4 Arab 1/4 Welsh and
>  looked a lot like a cute pony (still does, at 26).
>   >>
> 
> Interesting. We do a lot of work on the high speed treadmill and monitor
> heartrates all the way. One of the problems in breaking horses to the
> treadmill is convincing them it's safe to go ahead and switch from trot to
> gallop. So, generally in the breaking process they're always going faster at
> the trot before breaking into a lope than they would out in the field. The
> drop in heartrate under these circumstances, once the transition is made, is
> gigantic.
> 
> ti
> 
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