The Warmblood, particularly the Swedish, Danish and Hanoverians, have a
high dgree of self-carriage, seemingly beginning at birth. Observe foals
at liberty and they will display a natural "down-and-round", floating
kind of gait. However, the Warmbloods are very difficult to collect,
particularly if the rider is short-legged. That is why in the States you
see so much "false collection", with the dramatic break at the poll and
the horse dragging its hind end around the ring. "Down and round" does
NOT equal "collection". What the breed gives you is a fighting chance,
with proper seat and educated hands, to achieve real collection.
The Thoroughbred is much easier to collect but will display (depending
upon breeding and training) varying degrees of natural self-carriage.
Again watch the babies. And the TB has the additional advantage of
intelligence and willingness to work that the so-called "dumb-bloods" do
not.
Then we have our Arabs. These guys hit the ground with erect tails and
noses pointed to the moon! Watch the babies. The natural way of going
is head erect, concave back, elevated croup. Add the weight of a rider
and you further "hollow out" the picture. I can get an Arab to travel
with his nose on the ground (the ultimate down 'n round), but only after
2 years of careful, correct training--including correct lateral work.
Could we hazard a guess that self-carriage for Arabs is different from
that of WB & TB's, especially at the trot? Most Arabs going down the
trail will have--on average--a more erect way-of-going. Perhaps we need
to redefine the concept of self-carriage for the trail horse. Within the
normal parameters it is easy to spot that which is "incorrect" -- stiff,
stabby gait, hind end dragging along like some kind of caboose,
exaggerated arc to the hind legs as the horse approaches a racing trot,
little or no freedom in the swing to the head and neck in rhythm to the
trot. In fact, it is the concept of "rhythm" which would best define the
working gait for an Arab...on trail. (Ring work is different, it is ridden
differently and with more control, with emphases placed more on a rigid
set of standards for hand/seat/legs).
You cannot go miles down the trail in collection, but you can go miles
with a natural rhythmic self-carriage appropriate for the breed. I would
suggest that the canter is a more appropriate gait, can be done with more
"collection" and rounding that the racing trot can possibly achieve.
Gaits designed for speed (racing trot and gallop) often call for the very
kind of high head-hollow back syndrome we think we should avoid (check out
trotters & pacers at your local SB track, watch TB's race). The canter
can be controlled with a three point seat system allowing you to manage
length of stride, speed and collection. You cannot do that at the trot
if you are standing in the stirrups or in a 2-point position. You simply
do not have the kind of control that will influence and encourage a more
rhythmic gait. Posting to the trot is the only way that you can
achieve rhythm, but you must post intelligently, switching diagonals
every few strides (I count to 20-25, then switch until it becomes
"habit"). You control speed and length of stride through how fast YOU
post and how you apply leg contact. Merely rising out of the stirrup
puts unnecessary pressure on the tiny surface of the bars. You have to
do it through the entire calf with your thighs loose and flexible knees.
Guess that's enough dressage-on-trail for today. Would appreciate
feed-back.
Saddle survey coming along--will bring everyone up-to-date soon.
Diane @ Safe Haven