10/01/2022
The three-beat canter is overly simplistic. Just between the first beat, (1), impact of the right hind leg as Chazot is on the left lead canter, and the second beat, (2), the diagonal sequence, there are the two hind legs on contact, (1A), and the three legs on the ground phases, (1B).
Nancy Deuel measured longer hind legs contact duration during the stride preparing for the flying change. Further studies talked about the decelerating phase. Jose Morales explained that horses increased the decelerating phase to better control balance and stored more elastic energy for propulsion. At the level of the hind legs, the horse creates the condition for a better flying change during the intermediary phase where both hind legs are on ground contact (1A.)
Of course, we donโt control this phase. Of course, we cannot stimulate it with a touch of the spurs or the whip. We can only create conditions that can lead the horse to this specific variation. There is a difference between biotensegrity, creating conditions optimizing the horseโs body function, and the archaic concept of obedience to the riderโs aids.
Jean Luc
