My horse does this lovely, comfortable, slow, collected jog

[NikKnock]

This has got to be a good sign hasn't it? I mean, he doesn't go along in an amazing outline, (although not bad) but he always feels light in the hand and is pretty uphill and athletic for a flat footed little tb. This lovely, comfortable, floaty jog is a fairly new development (when excited or making his way home on a hack) and I am of course hoping it's a sign of a happy, comfortable horse

 

[Skib]

There is a question of vocabulary here. I am in the UK but we rode a lot in the American West where I once had a lesson hacking in Texas at mid day on a very hot day. The terrain was rocky and where the ground flattened out at the bottom of the stoney valley my hostess taught me how to ask for and to ride jog trot. Just a few steps at a time and gradually building it up.
Back in the UK and homeward bound on a hack, I taught my fav. Connie to do it too. But only a short way and heading home.

I was told that the slow jog was very hard on a horse and they needed to learn it just a few steps at a time.

I dont know if this is true. Biut I havent tried to teach it to either of my subsequent UK shares. I did enjoy it, so what do you think?

 

[NikKnock]

There is a question of vocabulary here. I am in the UK but we rode a lot in the American West where I once had a lesson hacking in Texas at mid day on a very hot day. The terrain was rocky and where the ground flattened out at the bottom of the stoney valley my hostess taught me how to ask for and to ride jog trot. Just a few steps at a time and gradually building it up.
Back in the UK and homeward bound on a hack, I taught my fav. Connie to do it too. But only a short way and heading home.

I was told that the slow jog was very hard on a horse and they needed to learn it just a few steps at a time.

I dont know if this is true. Biut I havent tried to teach it to either of my subsequent UK shares. I did enjoy it, so what do you think?

That's so interesting. I've had him four years now and this jog has developed in the last two. He was very weak and unbalanced when I first got him so that even his walk was lacking impulsion or activity. He stumbled a fair bit and I would often get off to rest him on hacks...this was as an 8 year old. So I'm thinking about what you say and linking it to the fact at 12 he's strong, fit and well. Thank you.

 

[cowgirl16]

Western trained horses are taught this. My American QH had the most amazing comfortable jog. Felt like moving along on rails. God I miss that feeling. It takes considerable strength on the horses part. Enjoy the feeling - not all horses are able to do this well.

 

[NikKnock]

Western trained horses are taught this. My American QH had the most amazing comfortable jog. Felt like moving along on rails. God I miss that feeling. It takes considerable strength on the horses part. Enjoy the feeling - not all horses are able to do this well.

Wow, that's so good to know, and great to get confirmation he's a much stronger horse to the puny guy i acquired 4 years ago