>>> Yes, I am referring to roundness. I agree with what you're saying here. I am wondering if it makes the horse lose the ability to rack. It sure didn't make Stormur lose his ability to pace!!!!
I think anyone who knows gaited horses admits that there are not going to be horses so hardwired/conformed to pace that it will take a pure miracle to get them into anything else. Lee certainly said that many times. For those horses, the step pace maybe be the most comfortable option for a rider - or maybe even just walking. >>> I'm referring to Lee's statement in the section, How Does a Horse Do a Pace or Stepping Pace, on page 157: "Horses that pace always do so with "hollow" or slightly swayed backs." I don't think Stormur's back is always hollow or slightly swayed when he paces. I don't think anyone will fault Stormur's back for not being somewhat lifted, and you've done a good job with that. But, he DOES still show some elements of hollowness, like the trailing rear legs. Which brings up something I'm curious about that you said earlier. You said you trained him from front to back, and you also told Judy to look at his head and neck earlier. I've always been taught to get a horse going "towards" roundness/collection/whatever degree you're aiming for, that you should work from back-to-front, and that's certainly what I do. If you mean what I think you mean, then I wonder if he couldn't benefit from some work that would not only lift his back, but would also encourage him to drive his rear legs more under him. I don't believe you can achieve that correctly by riding front to back. I'm also curious: what kind of saddle do you use on him? Karen Thomas [EMAIL PROTECTED]
