Succeed in the horse showing ring with these tips for a three-beat lope.
Most horse show competitors have seen it: the horse that appears to lope in the front and trot in the rear. Called the “trope,” the “shuffle” or just the “four beat,” it can be almost painful to watch. And once a horse learns to four-beat, it’s a habit that can be difficult to correct without proper training.
Judges agree a western pleasure horse should be a good mover and a pleasure to ride. However, just because a horse is a pleasure to ride doesn’t necessarily mean the animal is moving correctly. Despite the fact that a horse may be performing at the correct speed, relaxed and responsive to the rider, if he’s four-beating at the lope, he is not considered to be performing the gait properly. It can be easy to ride a horse that’s four-beating because it’s generally smooth. However, just because it is smooth does not mean it’s correct.
CLICK HERE to read the rest of the article from The American Quarter Horse Journal, with trainer Clark Bradley
