This message is from: Jean Ernest <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > SOOOO, he's figured that if I can count 4 >beats, that constitutes a WALK. He will lower his head and BOOK - still >counting 4 beats. It sounds like a machine gun the footfalls are so rapid >and it is extremely smooth. I am not sure what, if it even has a name, he's >doing. Don't know if that is a true singlefoot or just what.
My old gelding, Bjarne does this too...it happens when he is wanting to go and I'm holding him back, he gets into this really fast four beat gait, very smooth. His back is a little long and his hind legs are more angulated (longer total length also) just what Dr. Bev Bennett (PRINCIPLES OF CONFORMATION ANALYSIS) says gives a propensity for being gaited. I think someone who had experience with riding gaited horses could get him to do this consistently. On first rides, my instructor, who comes once a week to work with my four year old Adel and me, rode her for the first time Friday "free"..the previous week I had led Adel around with Lisa on her back to get her used to the weight. Lisa is teaching me to train Adel, but will be dong the first rides as I do not have the riding skills to properly balance on a young horse just learning to balance herself with a rider. Adel did just fine, seems to love the training. When I started Bjorken, who I raised from a baby. I was doing it myself, saddled and rode him the first couple times in the corral with the other horses. I finally realized I did not have the skill to do it right, when one day I was riding him for the second or third time in the corral and the other horses started to run around playing. Bjorken started running around with them, kicking up his heels and turned a corner and I "departed" ending up with my face in the manure under the corral fence, barely missing a post. I decide then and there I did not have the skills to continue and called Lisa to come do him right. Also bought myself a helmet and started wearing it! But the first time I actually got on him was a thrill.. And When Lisa finally decreed it was time for me to start riding him again was really a thrill! I have been lucky to be able to be with my horses every step of their training and participate in it under the guidance of an experienced and sympathetic instructor! Maybe it takes longer than a month or two to get them starting doing it this way, but in the long run I feel that I have an important role in the training. Jean in Hot and sunny Fairbanks, Alaska, where it is supposed to hit the 90's today....with 21 1/2 hour of sunshine! Much too hot for me! ************************************************************ Jean Ernest Fairbanks, Alaska [EMAIL PROTECTED]
