Re: Up Hill or Down

[Tivers@aol.com]

In a message dated 1/10/00 7:58:29 PM Pacific Standard Time, CMKSAGEHIL 
writes:

<< << I will leave this to others - my Peruvians don't generally trot. My 
guess is
  that the back is probably not level, but lower than parallel with the slope.
  And if the slope is steep the gait is probably more of a 2 beat shuffle
  without much if any suspension - but I am now into speculation. >>
 
 All depends upon the degree of slope, of course.  The horse can stay fairly 
level until the slope becomes extreme, and then all he can do is stay more 
level than the slope, or lower than parallel with the slope, as you put it.  
And you are right about what happens to the gait on a really extreme slope.  
The degree that constitutes "extreme" varies quite a bit from horse to horse, 
too...
 
 Heidi >>


Aw, Heidi. You had the math backing you up, Duncan was convinced, Truman was 
probably wavering, and here you are slip-sliding and back-peddling right 
alongside the astute horseman and acute-observing mathematician.  

So, I'll just go back to my original assertion: Going downhill, the horse 
must accept more weight on the forelegs. Going downhill at speed increases 
the likelihood of foreleg injury, for the several reasons I've already 
stated. It also increases the likelihood of hind leg injury, for the reasons 
I previously stated. Thus, the morons who take it easy going down hills are 
not morons at all. 

Now, if you'd like to have at this argument again, I'll allow you to start 
all over. this time, before calling anybody a fool or inept rider or trainer, 
and before soliciting the help of someone who will do likewise, cover all 
your logical bases. Duncan will help. He has the math under control.

ti


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