Thursday, December 15, 2011

Counting Strides Part 2



I thought that I would just add this quick post about counting strides, while we're on the subject. Canter strides start at the back end. Not that I think anyone reading is stupid but sometimes those little details just aren't explained and I know there are a lot of riders these days 'going it alone' sans trainer. Notice the horse in the picture is at the beginning of his stride....with his right hind leg going first, what lead is he on? Just an added extra credit question....

  • (a) The sequence of footfalls when the left foreleg is leading: (1) right hind, (2) left hind and right fore together, (3) left fore (the leading leg)  followed by a moment of suspension when all four feet are briefly off the ground.
  • (b) The sequence of footfalls when the right foreleg is leading: (1) left hind, (2) right hind and left fore together, (3) right fore (leading leg) followed by- a moment of suspension.
Therefore it's necessary to count when the moment of suspension is broken by the rear leg starting the next stride. When jumping, remember to start after your horse is completely over the fence. After the front end lands, then the back end comes underneath of them to start the first stride in that line. 

Not that I think anyone reading is stupid but sometimes those little details just aren't explained and I know there are a lot of riders these days 'going it alone' sans trainer. Good luck and safe rides! 


3 comments:

  1. Very interesting. Amazing what you do not know about someone's occupation or interests. Much more detailed than it looks on the out side.

    I have always admired horses, have friends in NC and here in Florida who own them. Me? I love the beauty of a horse in motion. I got a thrill on the road to the Rainbow Springs SP when the entire herd was moving at a canter (?) I commented to the wife, that is beauty in motion.
    Thanks for dropping by the Shipslog.

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  2. You know what's funny? In all my years of riding and reading books on riding, I never knew that until I was 'cantering' down the hall of my house and figured it out myself... The stride starts at the back end - and I went "Huh. That explains quite a lot that I didn't understand before!" Thanks for reiterating though, I think it's very useful to cover all the basics. : )

    bonita of A Riding Habit

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I am just one judge with one judge's opinion. Almost all of the classes I judge are based on the rules of USEF & AQHA. Judging a horse show is very subjective to the interpretation of the rules. Please keep this in mind when commenting.