Longeing, Bits, Curing the Pace, Riding for Gait
QUESTION:
A friend of mine recently purchased a Missouri Fox Trotter and has
been
having some problems. I now have him for some training and work.
I have
never before been around gaited horses so I wanted to try and get
some
help before progressing too far with him. I have only had him a
week and we
have just been doing basic lunge line work. Since I am unfamiliar
with the
breed, I want to make the best effort that I can to work him properly
and not
give my friend more problems to correct. So here goes!
I have been informed that he has the following gaits - walk, flatfoot
walk, foxtrot, trot and canter. First question is this - are there
only
specific gaits that you allow them to do? Should I only be asking
him to foxtrot
instead of trot? Or both? What commands to you use while lunging
to ask
for the flatfoot walk vs. the regular walk, and the foxtrot vs.
the trot?
ANSWER
Longeing, is something that, IMO, has no benefit to, and even can
cause harm to, gaited horses as most of them have a lot of overstride and
the torque of pushing them in small circles can be harmful to their joints
and ligaments.
I work my young horses at a flat foot walk and at the foxtrot only
until they are very set in their gaits. I then move on to a slow canter,
I never allow them to trot or pace.
QUESTION:
Next, she has been riding with a medium port copper curb bit. She
told
me that in order to maintain the foxtrot she must maintain constant
contact
with his mouth. Is this normal? For pleasure trail riding do most
people
prefer a snaffle or curb? It just struck me as odd to be maintaining
that kind of contact while in a curb. But I will also admit to my
ignorance
to the breed and riding style - hence my plea for help!
ANSWER:
This is one of the breed fallacies that is constantly being spread
around. The reality is that some young horses like a small bit of light
contact to help keep them in gear. Once they get set in their gaits many
can be ridden with a relatively loose rein.
If the horse has been taught to neck rein I use a curb bit, otherwise
I keep them in a snaffle until they learn to neck rein. I prefer to get
my horses to where they will work in a low port, short shanked, grazing
type of curb bit.
QUESTION:
Also, my friend has told me that you have to be careful that they
don't
start pacing, but I am having a hard time figuring out what exactly
this
is. If he isn't supposed to be doing that, then I need to understand
what I
am looking for so that I can prevent it. Can you give me a good
description
of what she is talking about?
ANSWER:
The "dreaded pace" is a lateral gait where both the front foot and
the hind foot on the same side hit the ground at the same time or nearly
the same time. In order for a horse to pace they must raise their head,
and hollow their neck and back. A horse in a rounded (basculed) frame has
a hard time pacing. Many gaited horses are forced into pacing by "trainers"
who try to "set their head" too high too soon.
QUESTION:
Any comments and suggestions are very much appreciated. I have many
years of training experience, but have never been around the gaited
horses
before. I want to take every step possible to make sure that I am
working her boy
properly. Thanks!!
ANSWER:
If you have any more questions, or if this is not clear please ask.
Bob
Back to Questions and Answers