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> It took me some time to discover that my arab gelding
> (Polish, track-retired)has a lateral gait, a saddle
> pace or rack or something.  I have a difficult time
> trying to figure out how to ride it, smoother than a
> trot, but so fast that it's hard to sit.
<snip>
> Odd?
No, not odd at all.  A fair number of Arabs are quite capable of doing a
four-beat lateral gait.  Many particularly manifest it when going
downhill, and often that is the first place that one will see it.  Once
they become relaxed and proficient at it, they will do it with increasing
frequency and dexterity.

The secret to "sitting" it is to completely relax through the lower back
and pelvis, and let one's hips just "roll" with the gait--I've always
joked about how it uses the "universal joint" in one's lower back.  Just
let the legs and hips "go" with the horse, let the back swivel, and let
your upper body remain fairly still.

Heidi



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