ridecamp@endurance.net: [endurance] query on how horses move at the trot

[endurance] query on how horses move at the trot

Sullys Maze (Sully@forsythe.stanford.edu)
Tue, 4 Jun 96 22:23:49 PDT

I would be interested in some feedback on what folks think on
how horses move at the trot. I have been behind endurance horses
that throw their hind legs to the outside (of vertical) when
they trot fast. It looks odd, but then they don't interfere.
One mare I know that does this, I once owned, and she was extremely
sure-footed and didn't interfere.

On the other hand, my big mare toes out in back (leg is straight),
but she has a huge ribcage and her stifles point outside slightly.
When she trots, her hocks seem to tip in, and her back legs come
fairly close together. But, she has never interfered, and my
Arab that is wider in back and does not toe out, interferes on
occasion.

So I am curious what other have noticed, and how their horses
travel. Is there an "ideal" for endurance horses?
This may not be clear, I am talking about watching them trot
from behind.

Karen

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