Pass:
The classic step rhythm error is called a pass. The four-beat rhythm is lost and the horse feet up on the same side and at the same time.
1. Left front leg and left hind leg
2. Right front leg and right hind leg
The pass is created when:
- horses hold on to the back muscles
- the step is ridden forward excessively
- the step is gathered too much
Especially horses with a naturally large, ground covering stride are at risk of fitting.
To counteract the pass gait, great importance should be attached to the horse's permeability and looseness in the walk. Softening of the thighs or riding in front of the shoulder helps to maintain the correct four beat. In order not to disturb the correct four-beat rhythm of the horse, a sensitive rider's hand, which allows the natural nodding movement of the horse's neck, is indispensable.
Four-beat canter:
The canter is a three-beat movement with a moment of free float. If the canter comes into a four-beat, the sequence of feet is incorrect. The inner hind leg and the outer front leg do not foot simultaneously, but one after the other, which results in the four-beat.
The four-beat canter results when:
- the horse holds on to the back muscles
- the canter is "gathered" only by the hand without keeping the hindquarters active with the driving aids
- the straightening of the horse is only forced by hand and does not result from the load bearing of the hindquarters
- The horse is overwhelmed
- The breakthrough is not encouraged
To counteract the four-beat canter, great importance should be attached to the looseness and commitment of the hindquarters. Differences in tempo with a clear forward tendency can improve the pace of the canter. The horse should always be worked and collected individually according to its daily form and level of training. If the hindquarters are not yet strong enough and the muscles are loosened, correct collection is not possible and the horse will fall into the four-beat. The uprighting of the horse always results from the load bearing capacity of the hindquarters, if this is disregarded, there will be timing errors in all gaits.
