KEEPING THE GAIT
          (Making Sure the Right Beat Goes On..)

So now the horse is home and the shoes are on and you're ready to ride. At this point the most often asked question is, "How do I keep him in gear?"

This is probably the hardest part to explain and the most difficult to put into words. After 30 years with Fox Trotters, I sometimes forget the little things we take for granted. The foxtrot is a fourbeat diagonal gait. In other horses, the foot fall pattern alternates from side to side (i.e. left hind with right front). The closest gait to the fox trot is the singlefoot (with only one foot on the ground at a time) or the rack, a glorified singlefoot. However, in the foxtrot the amount of time on the ground is so short that sometimes it seems there is also only one foot on the ground except that the timing sequence is different. The single foot goes 1-2-3-4 with equal beats. The foxtrot goes 1-2--3-4. On a hard surface it can be heard like the beat of a drum. That's why you see riders with their head tipped to the side. They're listening to the rhythm. I once had an old timer tell me the rhythm sequence sounds like, "a-hunk of meat and two potatoes" when said out aloud. It may not be the most classy English, but it does work, and I have often heard riders repeating it under their breath.

Since the fox-trot is a diagonal gait rather than lateral like the pace or running walk, in the saddle it pushes you forward and then back at the hips rather than from side to side. This is what makes it so easy to ride for people with back problems, because there is no twisting of the spine. and believe me, since I am one of those back problem people it does make a difference.       

          THE WET SADDLE BLANKET CURE

You say you can feel the rhythm but your horse isn't consistent. In this case, a wet saddle blanket will cure most of your problems. You can't ride your horse for a couple of hours once a week and expect her to stay fine tuned. She or he is an athlete and must be treated as such, especially if you're dealing with a youngster. Of course, if you have purchased an older, set horse, then it is reasonable to expect the horse to perform in a consistent manner once warmed up. Walking is then the key.

The horse should stride out with purpose and rhythm, and, when she is moving along consistently, ask for some more speed and at the same time take up your reins a little pushing her into the bit. Drive her forward with your legs and hold back just a little with the reins. She should step up into a foxtrot.

I don't mean to imply that you should have a death hold on her mouth...just enough pressure that you can feel it. Hard hands make for a hard mouth. A horse that pulls your arms out of the sockets is no pleasure to ride. If you have pushed her too hard and she breaks or starts hopping, then just slow her back down, walk, and go again. A horse is a creature of habit, and will eventually get the idea of what is acceptable.

If a horse wants to pace when asked for more speed. We will work them in a deep sandy arena or on plowed ground. The drag of the soft soil or sand makes it difficult for them to swing from side to side. The horse has to plant its feet firmly in sequence in order to keep its balance. A lot of suppling exercises are also very helpful for the pacey horse. A stiff back makes pacing easier than trotting, so the horse takes the easy way out.

We also teach all our horses to lunge and drive. It's a great way to settle down a young horse and teach him manners from the ground. That way neither of you gets hurt. It takes a little more time, but it's worth it. This is where he learns his voice commands, as wells as working off some excess energy. If your older horse doesn't lunge, teach him. There are many how-to books on this, so I won't go into it but it works just the same, regardless of breed.

Be sure with suppling exercises that the horse goes both ways. Horses are one-sided, just as people are either right or left handed, and will naturally favor one side over the other. The horse will be much more balanced and easier to work with if he goes both ways.

We have had horses here that we found very difficult to put a canter on one lead. This always happens when the horse has been lunged in only one direction, causing the horse to be more developed on a particular side, making it difficult for them to take the lead on the other side. As a consequence, they had to be worked twice as hard on that side to get it up to par. We also do a lot of bending, figure eights, and suppling exercises. A hollow back makes for a stiff  horse, and just like me on some mornings, a little exercise makes it easier to perform at peak, so it also will with him.

Now remember, I am talking here about your every day using horses, not show horses. Show horses require much more time and work. This whole article is directed toward the average person who rides horses for enjoyment, with maybe an occasional local horse show thrown in for spice.

Also, the flat foot walk, trot, and canter used in the show ring are different from what is used on the trail. Horses can be trained for both, but it takes time. There are no 90 day wonders. Much more speed and style are asked for in the ring. Just as a trail horse going into the show ring may not perform up to the horse that has been specially trained, so can a show horse taken out on the trail be a hazard to himself and you if some homework is not done first.

The horse trained for show has been trained to give everything he has for a short time. His head is way to high to really see where he is going. He has to rely on his rider, and since he has usually been worked only on flat ground or in the ring, he doesn't watch where he puts his feet. So you have to slow him down, get him to lower his head and take on some short careful rides for practice. Open pasture time is also very helpful. But don't think that you can't take your trail horse to a local show and have a good time. Enjoying your mount is what it's all about. Besides, once the show-bug bites, you may be hooked for a long time to come.

For the other two articles in this series check under the "How-To Manuals."

Copyright © Revised 1998 Lee Yates for Missouri Foxtrotter News. All rights reseved.