Re: RC: FT guy's opinion:what KIND of TWH for endurance

[Merryben@aol.com]

In a message dated 10/21/2001 7:59:29 AM Pacific Daylight Time, guest@endurance.net writes:


> Ray O. rno2m@virginia.edu
> Non-endurance guy here:my firm opinionis that you want to avoid like the
> plague any TWH that is racky,pacey or single-footy.What you DO need is a
> horse with a very strong head-nod at the walk/running-walk.If they are not
> nodding they are not truly "walking",but are doing some other(of dozens of
> possible) gaits.Why do you care,when you will be lopinbg and cantering
> much of the time?Here's why? Those aforementioned "other gaited" horses
> generally will not lope at all well,will have gait transition problems up
> into and down out of the canter,and will often be incapable of cantering
> downhill safely.They may be very heavy on the forehand.The fastest and
> best Field trial riders I know (and they fly,when neccesary)are two young
> pros who select the horses in their string with this in mind.The horses
> they use all nod strongly,and they transition up and down from the lope in
> rough country in a way that is extremely fast and SAFE when crossing bad
> terrain.You can jam this type of a horse across a gulley or down a rocky
> and muddy hillside while paying no attention to the footing-they are that
> far off the forehand.In that particular regard I feel they are better
> performers than any non-gaited or otherwise horse.My own gaited FT horse
> (MFT/TWH cross)is fast and extremely nimble,with an incredible canter-but
> his "walk" is the aforementioned stepping-pace,he is very heavy on the
> forehand,he cannot lope except uphills,and you can't keep your feet in the
> stirrups cantering down a hill.I do love him.But now I've learned what I
> shoulda bought five years ago!



RESPONSE:
> This may be and probably is true, however, my 14.1 TWH just finished his second 50 yesterday.  Both rides he has done have been difficult rides.  The winning time yesterday was about 6 hours.  He does not nod strongly.  He walks, does a passable running walk, paces, TROTS, canters in front and walks behind and also canters with both sets of legs.  He does usually whatever he feels most comfotable at and since all his gaits are comfortable we let him.  He is incredibly stong and sure footed.  His transitions are just fine.      maryben