Ridecamp: Re: [RC] Born to Trot?

On Sun, 26 May 2002 12:30:38 -0400, "Howard Bramhall" <hwb67@xxxxxxx>
wrote:

>I'm hoping this gets lots of replies, because, according to my 
>heart rate monitor, I would definitely disagree with this, especially 
>when doing long distance riding.  But, since it's a new toy for me, 
>I'm counting on those of you who are the experts to challenge this 
>one.  I've been assuming the extended trot is the way to go and that 
>the canter is what tires out your horse. With three of my guys I get 
>numbers in the 130's in the canter and the low 100's during the 
>extended trot.  At least that's what the heart monitor has been telling me.

At what speeds?

Every horse is an individual.  But it's been long established that as
speed goes up on a given terrain, a point is reached where less energy
is expended at a canter than a trot.  This study is just one more
confirmation.  What that speed is depends on the invidivual horse, the
footing, the elevation gain/fall and possibly even the weather
conditions.

I learned this over 20 years ago, before any studies or heart
monitors.  Kahlil's "crossover point" speed where he's better off
cantering is lower than that of most horses (probably because of his
short legs).  Many times I'd have a rider who was trotting while
Kahlil was cantering make some comment about that fact -- and we'd
finish well ahead of him.  I used to say that Kahlil could canter to
another horse's trot all day long.

-- 

Joe Long
jlong@xxxxxxx
http://www.rnbw.com


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