>>>>> they may feel that the tolt is a collected movement, and it isn't. It is >>>>> absolutely the opposite of collection!
>>I was told that it was a form of collected walk! Wow. That shows how big the gap is. There's an old dressage adage: "Speed is the enemy of collection." Yet, in the Breeding Evaluation videos - the ones where we can hear the judges' comments - the most common comment we hear is, "Needs more speed." For virtually ALL the gaits, from tolt to trot to canter/gallop. You just can't have it both ways. >>> Yes they are. Shoulder in to get tolt! No wonder I'm confused and clueless. And if you watch, it's almost never shoulder-in they show or teach. They seem to miss that there are all degrees of lateral movements that can help flexibility, from simple bending exercises and lateral flexions, to turns on the forehand and haunches, to leg yields, etc. Working on flexibility and relaxation is virtually always a good thing. We can start working on these exercises from the ground, or under saddle while standing, then walking. Trying to gain flexibility via an exercise that the horse isn't prepared for - or isn't capable of - is NOT a good thing. Nor is it a good thing if it's done in a rushed manner, or at inappropriate gaits. Shoulder-in is actually a moderately advanced move - NOT something to be taught to casual riders on unprepared horses at a day-clinic. And it's certainly not "shoulder-in" if you jerk the horses around to get their bodies arranged into some odd position... Karen Thomas, NC
