I n the horse world, a horse’s stride is a major factor in evaluating the horse’s potential in the show ring. Whether you compete your horse in the hunters, in jumpers, in eventing, or in dressage, his stride is one factor that really matters. When I say a horse’s stride, I am referring to the size of his steps. Although a horse’s stride encompasses all of his gaits, using the term “stride” usually refers to a horse’s canter. Therefore, it is the distance a horse covers with each canter stride that usually determines the height at which the horse can compete. |
In order to effortlessly canter a hunter course, the horse must be able to have a large enough stride to make the lines and combinations look easy. To measure out a line or combination, course designers go on the assumption that a normal horse has a twelve foot stride. Therefore, a horse that doesn’t have a twelve foot stride is at a disadvantage. When a course designer is determining how far apart the jumps should be set, he uses a simple formula to come up with the correct distance. First, the designer must decide how many steps should be in the line. For this example, let’s say the line should be ridden in five strides. The designer then multiplies five times twelve since each horse stride is equal to twelve feet. Based on this calculation, the line should be sixty feet. In addition to the sixty feet for the five strides, the designer also leaves extra footage for the horse to land off the first jump and to take off to the second jump. As a general rule, the course designer will allow for six extra feet on the landing and six extra feet on the take off when designing a course with fences three feet in height. When added together, this gives the designer seventy-two feet (60 + 6 + 6 = 72). At most horse shows, a normal five stride line will be set at seventy-two feet when the jumps are set at a height of three feet. If the jumps are set higher or lower, the course designer will also adjust the distance he adds for landing and take off (shorter distances for smaller jumps, larger distances for higher jumps). Hunter horses are usually expected to canter the correct number of strides in a line. In other words, if a line is set at seventy-two feet, the horse should take five steps between the two jumps. If the line is set at sixty feet, the horse should take four steps. Although this is what is usually expected, there is no written rule that says a horse should be penalized in the hunter ring if he adds or leaves out a stride in a line. Some judges will still reward a shorter-strided horse if his round is consistent and if he jumps well. However, many judges will penalize horses for adding steps because a horse that must add a step in a line is obviously not as capable and scopey as a horse that can canter down the line in the normal number of strides. As I said before, the size of a horse’s stride will also determine how successful the horse will be in his career as a hunter. Usually short-strided horses never make it past the three foot hunter divisions. While the horse might be able to jump huge single jumps, the lines and related distances are usually the limiting factor as horses attempt to move beyond the three foot level. Many horses just don’t have the stride or scope to move up to the next height level. It takes a special horse to be able to clear a 3’6” vertical, land and float down to a 3’6” oxer in five strides. If the horse doesn’t have the stride, he won’t be able to compete at the higher levels. It is surprising that the horses’ back end and his ability to clear a fence don’t necessarily determine how high he can jump in the hunter divisions. It is the size of his stride that will ultimately decide whether a horse can compete in the A-rated hunter divisions. Although a horse’s stride is based on his conformation and natural way of carrying himself, there are certain exercises that will encourage him to lengthen his stride and use himself more effectively. Both flat and fences exercises can encourage a horse to lengthen his stride. All horses, especially horses that are tense, can be improved by working on bending and stretching their backs. By simply bending to the inside, letting go of the horse’s mouth, and then bending to the outside and softening with the hand, a rider can encourage the horse to stretch his neck longer and lower. This exercise can be preformed at the walk, trot, and canter. When done correctly, the rider should actually feel the horse give by bending, then when the rider rewards the horse for giving (by then giving with the hand), the horse should take the reins and stretch his neck down. This exercise will encourage a horse to loosen his back and, as a result, lengthen his step. |
| When jumping, the use of ground poles will encourage the horse to lengthen its stride. Start by setting a ground pole nine feet away from the jump. As the horse lands, the pole gives the horse something to look at as well as something to lengthen for. As the exercise progresses, slide the pole further from the jump so that the horse has to land and reach for the pole. This will help teach the horse to land and continue moving forward. Many horses jump a jump and then pause to regroup for one full stride before continuing at their normal pace. The one stride spent regrouping results in the horse having to work extra hard to complete the line in the required number of steps. The landing pole will encourage the horse to carry himself over the jump and continue forward in one fluid motion. There are many exercises that can help to lengthen the horse’s stride and make him more competitive. Even if a horse has a small stride, he can still compete successfully, especially at the three foot height. In the end, hunter judges are looking for the effortless ride. While a huge step is a decided advantage in the show ring, small-strided horses can compete successfully. These horses just have to be more athletic in order to produce a round that looks both effortless and beautiful. |