Equestrian Tips > The Importance of Rhythm for Training Your Horse
Testimonial from Anne Anne Stevens - Nelson
Patricia Warhurst and Precious “Thank you again for all that you have done for Precious and I. Words do not do justice to the appreciation I feel for all your gentle guidance that has vastly improved our ‘way of going’ and understanding of each other. You have been pivotal to us making a large quantum leap in the last year.”
Ceila Sowman and Kriss Russell
Equine Positive Learning
Tel/Fax: |
The Importance of Rhythm for Training Your HorseRhythmWhy is rhythm so important? For all horses whatever activity or sporting codes they are in benefit from good rhythm. The racehorse and event horse - needs a ground covering economical galloping rhythm, the trek horse a walk rhythm that feels like he/she is ‘on a mission’ with a good swing to the shoulders. The trot rhythm of the harness horse, and the canter of the show jumper and dressage horse. Rhythm – is the first foundation block – and the first level of ‘The Scales of Training’ - rhythm is:- the time between the ‘footfalls’ . Establishing rhythm is vital for both horse and rider to progress. How can we work on this? – ‘feel’ when you ride, ride to music – sing when you ride relate to the rhythm, sing when you ride! Count the rhythm. • Rhythm is linked to balance once a good forward going rhythm is established better balance is possible• Rhythm is linked to ‘Cadence’ = what is cadence? – the animation within the paces of trot and canter the longer the period of suspension the better the cadence – some horse have natural cadence others may not – quite an ordinary trot can be improved with better rhythm, this was not possible but will be shown next week • Rhythm can also effect the trajectory of the stride – this is the shape of the step the horse takes – examples being the ‘Clydy’ type that moves with a high – more rounded knee action has a higher rise /shape step as apposed to the TB way of moving with a longer lower shape to the step. What ever the type of movement each step needs to be the same shape /trajectory. The purity of the gait needs to have equal shape and rhythm to each step. • RHYTHM IS A CONERSTONE TO OUR HORSES WORK The definition of rhythm :-The regularity of the steps and stridesEach step or stride needs to be the same height, length and speed = tempo There fore the rider/trainer needs a good understanding of the sequence of the footfalls in each pace – Click here to sample this on our Horse and Ponies DVD |