Behind the Bit

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Gaits part 1: What is meant by "impure gaits?" Posted: 16 Feb 2010 03:00 PM PST The first time I attended Dressage at Devon, I saw an upper level horse do something very weird. Leaving the ring on a long rein walk, the horse started lifting his front feet unnaturally from the knee/shoulder and stomping down, for about 20 strides. The audience tittered; the rider seemed embarrassed. I'd never seen anything like that action... Until now... I found this video posted in a thread on the COTH dressage forum (opinions of this horse). The walk There is something going on with the walk, but what? It's a less exaggerated but otherwise identical version of what the Dressage at Devon horse was doing. Is it a riding method, prior use of artificial means (e.g., weighted shoes), something else? I don't know. The not quite trot/not quite passage A lot COTH members tore this gait apart; one COTH'er remarked, "it's like watching two men in a horse suit." I agree with the general opinion on COTH -- this horse, who seems to have good natural ability, is not exhibiting pure gaits. So much flash in front, with that knee action and toe flick, yet so little energy in back. This is exactly what is meant when someone refers to a "passagey trot" (it's not a good thing) The half pass seemed disunited front to back. An overall impression of sucking back, even in the still shot at the start of the video. But back to the walk -- anyone know what causes that high-stepping walk? Oh, BTW, I'll probably be writing more about gaits, so stay tuned. And hey, if you have any topics related to gaits you're interested in, let me know...

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