In my thick headed adherence to traditional saddleseat training over my career I have noticed that the flatter back position with a raised head loads the stifles on gaited horses. When rounded down into a more proper dressage position with a lifted back, the stifle and hock problems go away. Magic! Many of the problems in the atlas or top of the neck disappear too. Adding lateral work further loosens the horses core or waist making it easier to canter and stride, specifically shoulder-in and haunches-in although a leg yield really helps too! Cantering round and on the correct bend adds length to the gaited horses stride through learning how to step under and push with the inside hind leg. Walking in the free walk stretched down and round preserves the loosened muscles during times of rest. Turning on the haunches stepping with the hind legs instead of planting a hoof like found in western work keeps the hock from twisting. There should never be a planted hoof in dressage and the horse should always be thinking forward in exercises which prevents balking and rearing in the worst cases of frustration as they learn. Always release a horse forward if resistance is felt and everything stays calm. The extensions in canter and gait also teach the horse to stay through preventing shortness of stride. Adding trail riding or just a stretch out in a field will keep a balance to the work adding to length of stride. This is why I believe in this training method for the gaited horse. It just simply produces better moving horses.
Posted on: Mon, 27 Oct 2014 13:12:16 +0000
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