>>>> I am confused because Lee Z. says that horses that pace are hollow backed. Stormur is not a hollow backed horse. Can a horse be pacey and not hollow backed?
I think it's a matter of degrees, not absolutes. And there are some exceptions, within a reasonable range: GENERALLY, horses that trot are not hollow-backed, but I'm sure we've all seen plenty of horses who can trot in a ventroflexed frame - the swan-necked show-type Arabs are notorious for it, as well as about any three-gaited horse who's stressed or tense. Any gait CAN be hollow. You're right, Stormur looks much less hollow than many pacey horses, but sometimes the full signs of the horse's position are hard to see, especially with the long manes. But, Stormur is a gelding, right? If so, you're PROBABLY not going to breed him, I assume..? :) He looks pretty relaxed with his topline at least fairly stretched, so even if I could see more solid evidence of a hollow-back in the picture, I sure wouldn't spend too much time worrying about it. If he's the fun, comfortable horse you say, and you say he can canter nicely with three-beats, then just enjoy him for what he is. I think the worst thing we can do is to try to force our horses to be what they aren't - just make them the best they can be, given their faults. A lateral horse may not be optimal in some ways, but a relaxed and happy lateral horse is bound to be happier and healthier than a tense, worried lateral horse. What gait do you think it is? I'm thinking a lateral walk, maybe a slow-ish step-pace? I didn't "cheat" and pull out my book though! He's very pretty. Karen Thomas [EMAIL PROTECTED]
