>>> I've been sitting in the shade watching Solon move around. When he picks >>> up speed at >>> a walk he has a definite overstride. Can anyone tell me what that might >>> mean as far >>> as his gait spectrum? ... I'm thinking it might mean he has some running >>> walk in there >>> somewhere. I won't know for sure until I have him nicely under saddle but >>> it would be >>> nice to discuss it a bit now so I know what to possibly expect.
Overstride is often seen in horses that run-walk. It can also be seen in some trotting horses - that's something people look for when shopping for dressage horses. I think you might call it a common "symptom" of running walk, but not always necessary. Same with head nod. I'm not an expert on all the Paso gaits, but from talking to Liz and from reading what Lee has written, I think that the paso llano has the same footfalls (set-down and pick-up) as running walk, but that the paso llano lacks overstride, and you'll more likely see "termino" than head nod in a Paso... I'm sure Lynn will tell me what I missed. Maybe it's more that overstride isn't considered important in paso llano...? Lee called things like overstride, termino and head nod the "stylistic" parts of gait. That's probably a better word than "symptom." :) Karen Thomas, NC
