from Kat:
>>
It is my understanding that the reason the trot is generally considered
the gait of choice (over the canter) for endurance horses is that the
horse never has only one foot on the ground (and therefore is never
required to bear its entire weight on only one leg...as it does in the
canter).
If the main benefit of trotting (weight bearing on at least two
legs) over cantering is lost by disuniting the diagonals, are there
other benefits to this gait over the canter? And if so, what are they?
kat
Orange County, Calif.<<
Kat:
Part of the reason a trot is "easier" on an endurance horse is that fact that
they can breathe as needed at a trot and are forced into breathing in rhythm
with the stride at the canter...but this is only ONE reason..very fit horses
can breathe sufficiently at a canter and gallop to supply their needs.
Teddy