Andiamo
Well-Known Member
@Chestnut Cob - thanks for that, it's really interesting to hear from people who have one of each!! 
Is rhythm and regularity of paces born or trained?
- Thread starter Andiamo
- Start date
chestnut cob
Well-Known Member
@Chestnut Cob - thanks for that, it's really interesting to hear from people who have one of each!!
It's a real education for me to have two such different horses, I find it very difficult to switch between riding them. I have a sharer for the big one now so I don't often ride him but I get back on occasionally to remind myself what it's like to ride something sensible!
I do think that with the right training (not sure I am capable of that and am debating sending the pony away for a few weeks...) the pony will do a much better DR test than the big horse. The big one only gives the minimum effort required for schooling/DR, though he can do it (the highest level we've ever done is unaffil Nov so we're not exactly world beaters!) when he wants to. The little one has a different attitude altogether so I think once the lack of rhythm is sorted, he'll really come on.
Andiamo
Well-Known Member
I did a bit of google-ing, and found this...
The Raw Material
Before a horse carries a rider for the first time, before his first lungeing, before you ever put a saddle or any piece of tack on him, you have an animal with no suppleness, no ability to offer contact, no swinging impulsion, no straightness, and certainly no collection. But you have an animal with pure, natural rhythm. Although the 2-year-old horse cannot possibly offer any of the top five elements of the training scale, he can offer correct rhythm in all three gaits without anyones interference.
Unless hindered by lameness or soreness, nearly all unbroken horses will walk, trot, and canter in a natural rhythm. Our job as trainers is to preserve this rhythm while building upon it layers of education. Thats it! All we have to do is preserve rhythm! Rhythm is the very essence of training; if we were to lose it, our horses simply would not progress.
If you are interested to understand more about rhythm, more can be found at: http://www.artofriding.com/articles/rhythm.html
The Raw Material
Before a horse carries a rider for the first time, before his first lungeing, before you ever put a saddle or any piece of tack on him, you have an animal with no suppleness, no ability to offer contact, no swinging impulsion, no straightness, and certainly no collection. But you have an animal with pure, natural rhythm. Although the 2-year-old horse cannot possibly offer any of the top five elements of the training scale, he can offer correct rhythm in all three gaits without anyones interference.
Unless hindered by lameness or soreness, nearly all unbroken horses will walk, trot, and canter in a natural rhythm. Our job as trainers is to preserve this rhythm while building upon it layers of education. Thats it! All we have to do is preserve rhythm! Rhythm is the very essence of training; if we were to lose it, our horses simply would not progress.
If you are interested to understand more about rhythm, more can be found at: http://www.artofriding.com/articles/rhythm.html
siennamum
Well-Known Member
I don't know if I really agree with that though. My horses will trot rythmically up the field loose, but will fall in & shorten their stride round a corner. Mine have pretty terrible paces loose in the field, my grey looks like a donkey he exists to go on the forehand.
Much of the challenge with establishing rythmic paces is balance and suppleness and straightness, none of which a horse will neccessarily have naturally and certainly few will have it once you add a rider to the equation.
Much of the challenge with establishing rythmic paces is balance and suppleness and straightness, none of which a horse will neccessarily have naturally and certainly few will have it once you add a rider to the equation.
TarrSteps
Well-Known Member
To be accurate, that analysis applies to horses that have not been ridden, not ones that are riding horses, just not with a person on them at the moment.
One of the most interesting things I've realised going to gradings, auctions etc is how many good moving/jumping young horses there are in the world!
One of the most interesting things I've realised going to gradings, auctions etc is how many good moving/jumping young horses there are in the world!
chestnut cob
Well-Known Member
SM, as you will soon see for yourself, mine is a llama x pony and moves as such...
siennamum
Well-Known Member
haha, we could have a donkey derby!