Re: Re: Ambling - definition

["Duncan Fletcher" <dfletche@gte.net>]

There are a number of errors in that book. There are a couple of gaits that
are actually defined differently in different passages of the book. The paso
fino is not a stepping pace, but a rack. The sobreandando is a stepping
pace. The amble has many meanings depending on the book - it is a very old
word: I believe it may be used by Chaucer. The single foot can be a stepping
pace or a rack depending on timing. Any time there is suspension in the
front feet (a period in which both front feet are off the ground at the same
time), the horse will have a period with only one hind foot on the ground -
hence the single foot. The rack (particularly at speed) is generally a
singlefoot. With even footfall timing and equal suspension time for fore and
hind feet you have a flat walk or running walk depending on speed. The rack
is differentiated by a longer suspension time of the front feet (which
implies an uneven lateral pickup timing). When that suspension time exceeds
50% of the gait cycle, both fores are off the ground at the same time.

Duncan Fletcher
dfletche@gte.net


----- Original Message -----
From: "Michelle Fink" <michrowe@frontier.net>
To: "Jana Crewett" <jfcr@ceh.ac.uk>; <ridecamp@endurance.net>
Sent: Tuesday, June 20, 2000 8:02 AM
Subject: RC: Re: Ambling - definition


> Ok, from Heavenly Gaits (typing skills aside) the amble is defined under
the
> stepping pace, which is also known as the slow gait, amble, paso fino,
> sobreandado, and single-foot.
>
> "The terms amble or singlefoot are usually used to designate smooth-gaited
> trail and pleasure horses.  In this variation of the stepping pace one
foot
> is on the ground at all times and the single footing horse seems to be
> moving along at a comfortable easy amble.  The low action, sliding,
> non-suspensory shuffling gait of the single footing horse is comfortable
for
> both horse and rider over all kinds of terrain and for extended periods of
> time.  Indeed, some natural single footing horses possess neither trot nor
> pace, but utilize the walk, amble, and canter exclusively."
>
> m (aka Michelle Rowe), CO
>
>