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I'll buy that, I probably put much more emphasis on the word "strength" =
than you did. Especially in view of the revisions. Methinks, I may have =
overreacted to that, and I apologize. Engage brain before moving =
fingers!!!
But of course it is all relative. I think some variations of these =
gaits
(and the individual way that a particular horse does it) may require =
more
muscular effort to sustain, the hindquarters bearing much of the body
weight, and others may be easier and more reliant on the skeletal =
system.
A horse in any gait has to find a middlepoint between the two extremes,
and as another person mentioned, is continually being adjusted as the
horse moves through varied terrain, some situations calling for more
hindend engagement and others less-- comparable to throwing a car into
first or second to keep the momentum and speed through a curve.
Now there's a generalization we can all live with. Since all gaited =
breeds do not move in the same fashion, we have to be not to over =
generalize based on our familiarity with one breed. My comments are =
certainly influenced by my Fox Trotter <g>, and as was pointed out to =
me, that is not a gait typical of the other breeds.=20
I did, however, conduct some field research this morning (Brrrrrrr!), It =
appears that the Fox Trot, due to lack of suspension ( with one foot on =
the ground at all times), and the sliding action of the hind quarters, =
reduces the demand on the skeletal system for maintaining balance. The =
most important conclusion: riding bareback to better feel the =
musculature system, is not a recommended practice when the beast wants =
to move at an extended trot. It's amazing how a gait that is so smooth =
in the saddle can be so rough bareback.
Bruce
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