It’s time to ride... Do you know where your horse’s feet are?
Riding (horses) is much more than the act of sitting on a moving horse. A true equestrian or horseman/ woman is a person who knows where the horse’s feet are at all times. That person knows how to move any foot from one place to the next without having to depend on repeatedly and arbitrarily kicking the horse or pulling on his mouth. There is little helpful information for the horse in such practice, yet I have observed countless people on horseback that rely exclusively on that method. When a horse has the misfortune of having to bear such a passenger, I will wager that the horse is either savvy enough to take care of or tolerate whoever is abusing his good nature, ribs and mouth or he will do whatever it takes to get the kicking and pulling to stop. Neither option is a very good arrangement for the horse. Unfortunately, it can lead to an even worse one for the person in the saddle.
Even among those who ride advanced movements I have at times witnessed a genuine lack of awareness by the human as to what the horse’s feet are doing as he (the human) is happily perched in the saddle. It may look like riding, but it is no more than stealing a ride on a good horse. The sad part is that even the extremely athletic and talented horse will eventually break down if he is ridden poorly on a regular basis.
There are a few rare individuals who can communicate with a horse with imperceptible cues, but even the most intuitive and talented riders start with basic understanding and practical application of moving the horse’s feet in a way that the horse understands and appreciates. Until a rider reaches that level of consciousness, learning what a horse’s feet are doing and how to manage them is a step in the right direction. What makes sense to the horse is a rider who can clearly show him where his feet need to be.
The Walk
The walk is a 4-beat movement. Each foot moves separately in a distinct and evenly spaced beat: 1..2..3..4.Photo 1: The right hind foot (1) steps forward and strikes the ground under the horses’ belly.This action pushes the right front foot forward. Photo 2: The right front foot (2) strikes the ground in front of the horses’ body. This action pulls the left hind foot
forward.Photo 3: The left hind foot (3) strikes the ground under the horses’ belly. This action pushes the left front foot forward. Photo 4: The left front foot (4) strikes the ground in front of the horses’ body. This action pulls the right hind forward and the sequence repeats.
The Trot
The trot (Photos 5 and 6) is a 2-beat movement. There is a distinct and evenly spaced 1..2..1..2 beat. Here the horse’s legs travel in diagonal pairs. The diagonal is identified by the front foot in the pair of legs that is actively stepping forward. For example, when the horse is traveling on the left diagonal, the left front and the right hind foot step forward simultaneously.Photo 5: This is an example of the left diagonal. The left front foot and the right hind foot strike the ground concurrently. Photo 6: This is an example of the right diagonal. The right front foot and the left hind foot strike the ground concurrently. The Canter or Lope
The canter or lope (Photos 7 and 8) is a 3-beat movement: 1..2..3, 1..2..3. Whereas the movement of the trot is defined by the left or right diagonal, at the canter, the horse travels on a left or right lead. To identify the lead, look for the front leg that reaches furthest out in front of the horse. It is also the hoof that strikes the ground to create the third beat of the canter. For example: In a right lead canter, the right front leg reaches out in front of the left just after the left front foot strikes the ground.Photo 7: In the right lead canter, the left hind (1) foot pushes-off first. The left front and right hind (2) feet then move forward simultaneously on a left diagonal. This frees up the right front (3) or lead leg to reach well in front of the horse before the hoof strikes the ground. Photo 8: There is one brief moment in the canter when all 4 feet are off the ground suspended in the air. It is in that moment that the horse
can organize himself to set up the next canter stride.When asked if the horse travels on a diagonal at the canter, many people will say “no”, believing that the diagonal is reserved for the trot. You can see by the photo that there is definitely a diagonal within the canter. The diagonal is what makes up the second beat. So, if the horse is traveling on the right lead, he is also traveling on the left diagonal. It sounds complicated, but it is easy to feel.
Exercise 1:
It is important to see how the 3 gaits work, but it is essential for the rider to feel it. The object of the exercise is to figure out where and when each hoof strikes the ground. Starting with the front feet at the walk and progressing from there seems to be easier for most people. From the saddle, try to feel when the front hooves strike the ground. The moment you think you have it, call it out as the horse moves forward, “left .. right .. left .. right”. Next, focus on the hind feet. Remember the walk is a 4-beat movement. Only one hoof strikes the ground at a time. If you look at the photos above, you can use them to help you understand the pattern. Count the beats out loud as the rear hooves strike the ground, “left .. right .. left .. right”.Hint: What is your body doing as the horse moves? Make note of how your hips and shoulders are moving with each step. If they are not moving, then breathe and relax. If you pay attention and allow the horse to move you, you will start to feel a very distinct pattern develop. I have witnessed riders gain initial success by staring at the horse’s shoulder to see when it moves forward and back, but the key is to feel it. Focusing exclusively on your horse’s shoulder serves to plant him firmly and squarely on his front end and does little to increase true awareness and skill level. Remember, the engine is in the rear, not the front. If you can manage it, close your eyes to keep yourself from cheating. Having a friend available to affirm that you are correct when you call out the footfalls is helpful. Repeat the exercise at the trot and canter.
This is about feel. Every horse moves a little differently, but the basic motion is the same and your body will move with the horse in a similar manner if you let it. The only thing you have to do is stay conscious, aware and relaxed. With practice, you will be able to count all 4 footfalls at will.
Exercise 2:
The object of this exercise is to gain awareness of each foot at the point just prior to it leaving the ground. Again, call it out when you think you have it right. Hint: If at the working walk, trot and canter, the hind foot strikes the ground under the belly, it stands to reason that it would leave the ground or “push-off” behind the tail. If the front foot strikes the ground out in front of the horse, then it must push-off when under the horse’s belly. Use what you already know from the first exercise and build on it. In the beginning, it can be overwhelming when switching focus from the front to the hind or from strike phase to push-off phase. This is normal. Take a deep breath and rely on what you already know. You do not have to finish all of the exercises in the same session. I suggest you do not. People are much like horses in that they learn best in small chunks. Take it slow and make sure you are clear on each point before moving forward.
