Re: RC: Efficient gaits question

[Kirsten Foruria <kirsten@vermilion.reno.nv.us>]

Ok, but how much is "aptitude", how much is cardio-vascular fitness and how much
is mucsle fitness?  If the horse isn't conditioned at a particular gait (e.g.
canter), those muscles are not going to be developed as well as the "trot
muscles", so I would expect an increase in heartrate. If I had to guess, I'd say
aptitude is pretty closely linked to muscle fitness... kind of a chicken and egg
thing.

I am glad to see this discussion as my older gelding is a "loper" it's his
preferred gait (which is kind of funny as Morgans are known as a trotting breed).
He's getting better at the trot and we've been doing a lot of trotting work, but
I will be more concientious about working at the lope as well.  My young stallion
also has a very fluid canter.  Overall, he just has smoother, more efficient
gaits that my older guy period. But I'll make sure I condition for both too so
he's able to maintain that.

This is interesting, please keep up this thread!

Kirsten

CMKSAGEHIL@aol.com wrote:

> In a message dated 4/2/99 6:07:02 PM Pacific Standard Time,
> Teddy@runningbear.com writes:
>
> << Winning 100 mile fit?  I have yet to find a horse that with enough work at
> the faster
>  gaits did not lower it's heart rate at that gait...LOWER than the trot. >>
>
> Depends a lot on the horse.  I would agree that if the HR at an easy canter
> is higher than at an extended trot, it is an area that needs more work, but
> to some with a great aptitude to trot and very little aptitude to canter, you
> may never achieve the lower HR at that gait.
>
> Heidi

--
Kirsten (Price) Foruria
Vermilion Desert Ranch
Reno, Nevada



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