I agree that some degree of collection and "togetherness" (how's that for a
dressage term :->) will help *any* horse going down the trail in that they
learn how to travel in a more balanced and efficient manner. My dressage
work with Tony helps not only with his way of going but also improves my
ability to rate him as he is more attuned to my aids, specifically, subtle
shifts of weight.
However, like anything else, training an animal to travel in a manner that
is different from 1) the way they normally travel and/or 2) different from
the way they've been allowed to travel in the past is not an easy nor a
quick task. And, it's not all on the horse's back (no pun intended :->) to
maintain a better way of going - it takes some degree of effort from the
rider. To be honest, after 30 or 50 miles I don't know how effective *I'll*
be at maintaining a rounder way of going on my horse.
So...my point is, while it's fine and dandy to want a nicely balanced horse
going down the trail - and while I'm the first to say that's a _great_ goal
- I don't know if 1) it's feasible in the real world nor 2) am I sure it's
totally necessary. Arabs travel the way they do (I'm talking about normal
Arab posture not extreme high-headedness or hollow-backing) because that
is the most efficient for their body - I'm not convinced that changing that
for long distances is the best thing for the horse (I know lots of other
breeds do end. but this thread seems to be directed mostly at Arabs - gee,
wonder why <g>).
What do the rest of you think?
Tina and crew
hickst@nichols.com
Huntsville, AL