Surely this isn't right..... :(

ester said:
You've probably even got a red or pink one for your ginger boy :p.
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I was tempted with red for him, but then thought orange, wimped out and pondered about black and then bought none of them, so he's still in my grey's old bridle. I'm great at spending money as you can see. :D
 
This has been a really interesting thread - I knew very little indeed about gaited horses and now I am slightly less ignorant. Thanks for all those great article references (genetics still melts my brain though).
 
Just had a quick read through the thread so not taken in all details but as I understand it this admired gait is caused by a mutation?

If a foal (as in the video) moves this way naturally, can it be taught 'normal' movement?

I really can't see the attraction with this whatsoever but a minority like it very much. As for the vids posted, they really weren't enjoyable for me for many reasons.

I just don't see the point of encouraging this type of mutated movement. I see it as a novelty the breed developed, breeders gave the gait a specific name to justify it as 'normal' and as such, some people admire the abnormality. I do not see it as a positive mutation as what natural purpose does it serve?

It's certainly not for me, I don't like it at all no matter the reasons behind it.

Nothing against Paso Finos, just that unnatural gait.
 
The word 'mutation' has mislead you, as Ester feared might happen. It's not a new mutation at all, but one from the annals of time, way, way, way back. It's not less natural than trot, pacing or the mutation that causes grey coats. This isn't something that humans have inflicted on horses.. To think of four beat gaits as an abnormality is plain wrong. It just looks odd as we don't really have gaited breeds in the UK any more (we used to 100's of years ago).

I hope that makes sense? I do ramble when tired. :)

ETA - Barnacle's link has a quote about Palfreys, which were gaited horses in the UK from 1171.
 
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Faracat said:
The word 'mutation' has mislead you, as Ester feared might happen. It's not a new mutation at all, but one from the annals of time, way, way, way back. It's not less natural than trot, pacing or the mutation that causes grey coats. This isn't something that humans have inflicted on horses.. To think of four beat gaits as an abnormality is plain wrong. It just looks odd as we don't really have gaited breeds in the UK any more (we used to 100's of years ago).

I hope that makes sense? I do ramble when tired. :)

ETA - Barnacle's link has a quote about Palfreys, which were gaited horses in the UK from 1171.
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Will have a thorough re-read through thread soon, I'm also pretty tired out too. I don't think of a four beat gait as abnormal, I just see it as the 'normal' walk or gallop.

The term 'mutation' hasn't mislead me. The relevance of developing it to this extent in a specific breed to an extreme isn't something I can admire.

I can appreciate a gaited breed, however I feel things can be taken too far.

Anyway, bed time! :)
 
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Faracat said:
The word 'mutation' has mislead you, as Ester feared might happen. It's not a new mutation at all, but one from the annals of time, way, way, way back. It's not less natural than trot, pacing or the mutation that causes grey coats. This isn't something that humans have inflicted on horses.. To think of four beat gaits as an abnormality is plain wrong. It just looks odd as we don't really have gaited breeds in the UK any more (we used to 100's of years ago).

I hope that makes sense? I do ramble when tired. :)

ETA - Barnacle's link has a quote about Palfreys, which were gaited horses in the UK from 1171.
Click to expand...

The nursery rhyme "Ride a cock horse to Banbury cross" is about Queen Elizabeth 1 riding a gaited horse.
 
Illusion100 said:
Just had a quick read through the thread so not taken in all details but as I understand it this admired gait is caused by a mutation?

If a foal (as in the video) moves this way naturally, can it be taught 'normal' movement?

I really can't see the attraction with this whatsoever but a minority like it very much. As for the vids posted, they really weren't enjoyable for me for many reasons.

I just don't see the point of encouraging this type of mutated movement. I see it as a novelty the breed developed, breeders gave the gait a specific name to justify it as 'normal' and as such, some people admire the abnormality. I do not see it as a positive mutation as what natural purpose does it serve?

It's certainly not for me, I don't like it at all no matter the reasons behind it.

Nothing against Paso Finos, just that unnatural gait.
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Illusion I suspect that it is biomechanically very effective to have the Paso type walk. The horse is using the least possible energy to move its legs, not wasting energy or causing concussion by lifting its body at all.

The video you showed is taken to the extreme (and I find it unattractive), but no more 'unnatural' than passage, piaffe, one time changes and pirouetttes in a GP dressage test. I dislike seeing most horses pirouette, it's so laboured and unnatural looking. I've seen video of a horse cantering backwards, what on earth is that about?

It's not the mutation that caused the pace that's the problem, I think, it's man's desire to take all these things to extremes.

What did shock me is the size of that man on that tiny horse. I don't know if it's even an adult horse, it looks about two years old.
 
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Yes that is the point,

and thank you illusion for illustrating my point beautifully about the use of the word mutation :D. It isn't unnatural, in fact the inability to do it could well be the mutation given fossil evidence of tracks.

Afaik paso showing is all about whose horse can keep the best rhythm, not sure if the fastest rhythm comes into it. That is why they do it on a board- so you can hear the rhythm but I think it is also thought it helps the horse too. Yes this is taking the gait to the extreme but no more than piaffe IMO.
 
Having watched quite a few videos now that include the less collected versions of the gait, I have to say that I think we're missing out the the UK. What a shame all our gaited horses were bred out of the system. We are missing out on some wonderful leisure and endurance horses.
Anyone for the reintroduction of the palfrey?
 
It's not my cup of tea and would not buy one. That said it is still beauty in it's own right as is horses who trot laterally or the western paces also are different and are not to everyone's liking. I respect everyone has a choice and views but to use *YUK* is a bit strong.

None of us have the same taste in horses or equitation, some people are of the opinion that dressage is like watching paint dry or why have horses who cannot be ridden.

There is also ambling

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cT6oboVzQbw&list=PLgjsPANvU55HXBrUs-kAhfXLnOdEgCpLd

and Tolt

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UghhSq1DtjQ

all have a natural thing about them
 
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cobgoblin said:
Having watched quite a few videos now that include the less collected versions of the gait, I have to say that I think we're missing out the the UK. What a shame all our gaited horses were bred out of the system. We are missing out on some wonderful leisure and endurance horses.
Anyone for the reintroduction of the palfrey?
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Standardbreds make fantastic endurance horses as they can pace at a "jog" for hours :)
 
Faracat said:
Lots of hysteria and ignorance. Look at the video on here which explains it very well.

http://www.pfha.org/the-breed/gaits

ETA -
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Those riders are HUGE on those little horses. The horses appear to have extremely small hooves and spindly legs. I guess it just shows how different cultures view the loading of horses. I also don't like the incredibly long shanks of the curb bits. I really feel sorry for those little horses, though it is not anywhere as bad as the big lick.
 
Speedyfluff said:
Those riders are HUGE on those little horses. The horses appear to have extremely small hooves and spindly legs. I guess it just shows how different cultures view the loading of horses. I also don't like the incredibly long shanks of the curb bits. I really feel sorry for those little horses, though it is not anywhere as bad as the big lick.
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But they are short-backed and seem to be built like Arabs (although I have not done a great deal of research on the breed) they seem to be another type of small horse that is designed to carry weight, small dose not always mean week :)
 
Speedyfluff said:
Those riders are HUGE on those little horses. The horses appear to have extremely small hooves and spindly legs. I guess it just shows how different cultures view the loading of horses. I also don't like the incredibly long shanks of the curb bits. I really feel sorry for those little horses, though it is not anywhere as bad as the big lick.
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No different to arabs/quarter horses I should think.
 
Speedyfluff said:
Those riders are HUGE on those little horses. The horses appear to have extremely small hooves and spindly legs. I guess it just shows how different cultures view the loading of horses. I also don't like the incredibly long shanks of the curb bits. I really feel sorry for those little horses, though it is not anywhere as bad as the big lick.
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The Pasos I met down in England were started in bosals, then snaffles I think and then curbs. The really big curbs were for show but the fact is, as in other countries, the curb is supposed to demonstrate how well schooled the horse is and how light the rider's hands should be. The really big curbs tend to have a bend in them so they aren't quite as dramatic as they appear. They aren't used for brakes in the same way 'our' three ring gags, kimblewicks and pelhams with roundings etc are.
 
spottybotty said:
The nursery rhyme "Ride a cock horse to Banbury cross" is about Queen Elizabeth 1 riding a gaited horse.
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Although a "cock" or "cocked" horse is one with a docked tail, actually.

Just to add to the debate, Paso Finos (and Peruvian Pasos) are great little horses. I have a particular fondness for many of the gaited breeds and would certainly have a TW, Paso or Missouri Foxtrotter if I could get one. Ambling horses are way, way older than our present, boring W/T/C breeds.
 
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Caol Ila said:
Why are there so few gaited horses in the UK? They are everywhere in the Americas, but don't seem to have caught on here.
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maybe its just that in the last couple of hundred years we went the carriage route for posh folk and have a hunting/racing tradition so they fell out of fashion. There used to be gaited Iberians but don't think you find them there much either now.
 
Our Anticob has an extra gait. Not sure exactly what he does, but it's sort of a four-beat trot thing. Soooo comfy! OH calls it scuttling :D
 
because we had carriage trotters and fast gallopers and the landed gentry had staff to amble round their estates for them?
 
I've had Icies for over 20 years and I really miss the extra gaits when I ride anything else, it's like having missing gears on the car :D As Beausmate says with hers though, there are UK horses with extra gaits there, people just don't know what to do with them and try and train them into being ordinary 3 gaited horses.
 
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