Re: Lummox's feet
- From: philospher77@xxxxxxxxx
- Date: Fri, 16 Mar 2007 07:08:35 -0500
On Thu, 15 Mar 2007 21:34:50 -0700, Don Bruder <dakidd@xxxxxxxxx>
wrote:
In article <JEy66s.7J6@xxxxxxxxxxx>,Stuff snipped.
djheydt@xxxxxxxxxxx (Dorothy J Heydt) wrote:
In article <200703151250.l2FCo9dj104436@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>,
Michael Stemper <mstemper@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
Lummox is, of course, the beast that is the star of _Star Beast_.
Apparently, if one can trust wikipedia, the rack is different from theNow, I wonder if Lummox is capable of a rack.
The rack is the fifth gait sometimes used by Icelanding ponies.
Both left feet, then both right feet. Imagine a double-ended
rack: 1-3-5-7 alternating with 2-4-6-8. I imagine her rider
would get seasick fairly quickly.
Incorrect. You're describing a "pace", and most icelandics (or for that
matter, most horses period) don't pace.
The pace is an "artificial" two-beat gait for horses - 1/3-2/4 - Similar
to the trot, but instead of the diagonal legs moving together, the legs
on each side move together. Camels, llamas, and their kin, vicunas and
alpacas, all pace naturally. Horses have to be taught to do so, though
there is some evidence of the ability being breeding related. Some
horses simply cannot pace, period. Some do so as if that's all they've
ever known. Horses that pace almost never trot, and vice-versa - In
effect, there are two sets of gaits - walk/trot/canter, and
walk/pace/canter.
pace, because it requires the horse to be in a "hollowed position",
with the back curved down. Which makes for a very smooth ride, but
weakens the horse's back and makes it harder for him to carry the
rider's weight. It's also called "the Virginia Single-foot Gait", and
is apparently associated with the Racking Horse (obviously), and the
Five-Gaited American Saddlebred.
Icelandics don't pace - they "tolt", which is, when you get down to
where the hoof hits the ground, nothing more than a walk done at a
ridiculously fast rate. It eats miles at an almost scary rate, and they
can do it all day long. It's also incredibly smooth. If any horse other
than icelandics can do it, I haven't heard of them.
Apparently some of their relatives do.
Closest I know of is
the Saddlebred and/or Tennesee Walker's "running walk", but that's
supposedly not *QUITE* the same gait (though I'm damned if I can see the
difference between them)
According to wiki, again: "In its pure form, the footfalls are the
same as in rack, but the Icelandic horse is bred for more freedom and
liquidity of movement. The most prized horses have a very long stride
and high lift with their forelegs."
So it sounds like they are doing a fancy form of racking, which seems
to be possibly something very good for the rider, but less good for
the horse over time.
And for those of us really fascinated by this subject, this site has
animations of the different gaits, including the tolt. If you click
"stop" under the animation, and then move your mouse in the animation
screen, it will step it through slowly. Took me a bit to figure that
out.
http://eidfaxi.is/fraedsla/eindex.php?fraedsla=gangtegundir
Rebecca
--
I've moved!
Formerly r.rice@xxxxxxxxxxx
.
- References:
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- From: Michael Stemper
- Re: Lummox's feet
- From: Dorothy J Heydt
- Re: Lummox's feet
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