January 5, 2009
Back to Basics…..The Gaits of the Dressage Horse
Happy New Year, and please pardon me for not writing in December. With the Holidays and new horses in training, I found that I simply didn’t have time to sit down to do anything, let alone write!
I would like to start out this year systematically, which by definition means I should start at a beginning. I feel that this is a good topic to start with, because in riding this discipline we are trying to maintain the purity of the gaits, and possibly even improve them.
The Walk
As defined by The Principles of Riding (The German National Equestrian Federation handbook, and also used as guide for USDF), “The walk is a stepping movement in four time with no moment of suspension.”
The Principles of Riding further states, “As well as a clearly defined four-time beat, the basic requirements in all forms of the walk are activity, freedom and adequate length of stride(the prints of the hind feet should be in or in front of the prints of the forefeet, depending on the type of walk.)”
It is my opinion that this is the single most important gait of the horse, as it is the most difficult in riding the horse to maintain it’s purity, and it is the most difficult to improve. The ideal rhythm to the walk is 1-2-3-4, (not 1,2..3,4) and the sequence of the footfall is inside hind, inside fore, outside hind, outside fore. A common irregularity is what would be called a ‘lateral walk’ in which the feet are moved forward and set down in lateral pairs, and it almost appears as if the horse were pacing instead of walking. This can occur even in a horse with a very regular walk if there is sufficient tension through the back.
Variations of the walk include the extended walk, the medium walk and the collected walk, each defined by the horse’s form and amount of ground it covers. The free walk is the horse’s natural walk while stretching with minimum contact with the bit.
The most common faults of the rider are tension in the seat, and overly restrictive hands. In all forms of the walk the seat must remain supple and following the horse’s back. The hands must follow the motion of the horse’s head and mouth while maintaining sufficient contact constantly……not an easy task at all, but imperative to maintaining the purity of the gait.
The Trot
The Principles of Riding states, “The trot is a two-time movement with a moment of suspension.” A more descriptive definition would include that diagonal pairs of legs are simultaneously lifted and placed on the ground, the forward moving pair reaching the ground a moment after the lifting pair leaves the ground, creating the moment of suspension.
The quality of the trot is determined by not only the regularity of the rhythm and elasticity of the steps, but by how the horse uses his back and hindquarters in creating it. A relaxed and supple back and appropriately engaged hindquarters are a prerequisite to obtaining a trot of the animal’s highest ability, and to insuring the ability of the animal to maintain the same natural balance and rhythm through transitions within the trot.
Variations of the trot include the working trot, the medium trot, the collected trot and the extended trot, each defined by the horse’s frame and amount of ground he covers in the gait.
The most common faults of the rider are an inability to follow the movement of the horse’s back in the trot, thereby creating tension, and being behind the motion while sitting the trot, especially in lengthening and extending the trot.
When considering a horse, I place the trot in order of least importance. It is the easiest gait to improve upon. I feel that the quality of the walk and the canter are far more important. I am also not a fan of the current trend of a ‘showy’ trot, in which the forelegs are far more elevated than the hind. I don’t believe breeding this type of trot is consistent with the ultimate goal of breeding to maintain soundness in the sport horse. It also often fails to show appropriate engagement of the hindquarters.
The Canter
From The Principles of Riding, “In the canter the horse moves in three-time in a series of leaps, during each of which there is a moment of suspension.” The sequence of footfall is as follows: outside hind, outside fore and inside hind simultaneously, inside fore. The canter is a ‘true’ canter when the diagonal pair moving forward is in sync with the direction the horse is traveling (e.g. left fore and right hind move together when horse is traveling to the right). When the pair opposes the direction of travel, the canter is then a ‘counter-canter’.
The quality of the canter is determined by the regularity and lightness of the gait, suppleness through the back, poll and jaw and the engagement of the hindquarters relative to the type of canter being performed.
Variations of the canter include the working canter, medium canter, collected canter and extended canter, each defined by the horse’s frame and amount of ground he covers in the gait.
Irregularities in the canter include a canter that is four-time (a possible exception being the canter in pirouette) and cross –firing, in which the diagonal pair is disunited.
Common faults of the rider again include an inability to follow the movement of the horse’s back in the gait, as well as lack of balance which creates a gripping leg, tension in the seat and hanging on the reins. A misunderstanding on the rider’s part of how to create collection for the collected canter and downward transitions often leave the horse traveling on the forehand and create abrupt downhill transitions.
In your free time…..
I know, many of us feel lucky to have time to ride, let alone sit around watching miscellaneous videos. However, a really good way to educate yourself and your eye is to do so. You Tube has literally hundreds of dressage videos to view for free. If you can find time, using the above as a guide, go play judge for a day, or an hour, or even a few minutes. You’ll be glad you did.
JW