ridecamp@endurance.net: RE: [endurance]: trotting v pacing

RE: [endurance]: trotting v pacing

Kathy Myers (Kathy.MYERS@syntex.com)
Fri, 12 Jan 1996 08:17:54 -0800 (PST)

> [...]
>Is pacing more comfortable, and what about the relative stresses
>put on the horses? Also how do speeds compare, and finally can
>a non-pacing horse actually be taught to pace at all?
>
>Just curious,
>
>Sue
>sue.cunningham@mcc.ac.uk (work)
>sue@snaffle.demon.co.uk (home)
>http://www.tag.co.uk/snaffle/welcome.htm

Hi Sue!

Pacers can achieve faster speeds because their
back feet can way-over reach their front feet
without interferance. Check out the top speed
records for trotters and pacers. Pacers have
the edge by more than 10 seconds per mile, I
believe, which translates to more than 2 miles
per hour. I would think this is the driving
cause for preferring pacers.

I read someone mention training natural
trotters to pace using training aids. I
knew a Walker who naturally paced but was
taught to trot as a more comfortable gait
to ride for endurance... lots of years ago.

:) - kat
kathy.myers@syntex.com