This is maybe as good a time as any for me to explain the most notable difference between rhythm and tempo. All too frequently, I've heard even experienced riders use these 2 terms interchangeably, and actually, they mean different things.
Rhythm
Rhythm alludes to the space of time between every two consecutive steps in an equine walk or gait, the trot, the canter or any other gait. The rhythm is regular when the spaces are of repeated duration between any two consecutive steps. Regularity of rhythm is a must for all equine work, not just dressage, and definitely not just with horses used for dressage. You should take care to ensure that exercises and movements never sacrifice rhythm. For any specific gait, rhythm must remain consistent.
Nonetheless tempo (speed) is an altogether different issue.
Tempo (Speed)
Tempo is the rate (speed) at which the rhythm itself is repeated. Tempo can be modified depending on needs. Look at it this way: assume you are playing a musical piece with a steady unchanging rhythm on a CD or DVD player with adjustable playback speeds. If you play the same stretch of music at 2 different playback speeds, you have played one rhythm at 2 different tempos. Think further that you are listening to some waltz music. Waltz music is almost always in 3/4 time. But you can play the same waltz music a little quicker, or a little slower, whereby the same length of music can be played out with different total timings.
Are there instances when you need to change the tempo the horse selects? Yes, there are. Now consider a very fresh horse, full of spirit. You have barely started with the warmup when the horse gets all fired up and starts trotting at a really fast pace. The longer you allow this, the more excited he will become. If you don't do anything about it, he may keep up his mad speed till he eventually flags from tiredness. He seems like a child who has received a cycle that he has long craved, once he gets his hands on it, he is going to dash round the neighbourhood scaring folk witless. Your pony needs your calming influence to slow it down.
You can cause some control by getting your pony to transit to a walk or possibly a halt, Just as your horse is on the edge of stepping into the walk, discontinue the transition and instead make him jog, a very slow jog. Have in mind a 'halfway down to walk' pace. If he speeds up on his initiative, repeat the downward transition process until he finally gets in his head that a slower trot/jog is what you need.
Keep him at this slow tempo, at a pace which is precisely the opposite of the pace he would like , till the pony relaxes. When he does so , you can permit him to build up to a more normal speed.
Now look at the inverse situation. You are riding a horse who is just too reluctant to build the tempo. He is going at a slow, painfully slow tempo of his very own choosing. He has changed a canter to a 4-beat. You should speed up the tempo with some lengthening strides. You can feel your seat clearly moving faster as the tempo builds up. When you again shorten your horse's strides, you can move your seat as if you're still at the lengthening phase to keep the same tempo.
Whatever horse you riding at whatever trail or event, ensure your pony functions with regular rhythm and tempo, so that he will maintain fantastic balance.
Rhythm
Rhythm alludes to the space of time between every two consecutive steps in an equine walk or gait, the trot, the canter or any other gait. The rhythm is regular when the spaces are of repeated duration between any two consecutive steps. Regularity of rhythm is a must for all equine work, not just dressage, and definitely not just with horses used for dressage. You should take care to ensure that exercises and movements never sacrifice rhythm. For any specific gait, rhythm must remain consistent.
Nonetheless tempo (speed) is an altogether different issue.
Tempo (Speed)
Tempo is the rate (speed) at which the rhythm itself is repeated. Tempo can be modified depending on needs. Look at it this way: assume you are playing a musical piece with a steady unchanging rhythm on a CD or DVD player with adjustable playback speeds. If you play the same stretch of music at 2 different playback speeds, you have played one rhythm at 2 different tempos. Think further that you are listening to some waltz music. Waltz music is almost always in 3/4 time. But you can play the same waltz music a little quicker, or a little slower, whereby the same length of music can be played out with different total timings.
Are there instances when you need to change the tempo the horse selects? Yes, there are. Now consider a very fresh horse, full of spirit. You have barely started with the warmup when the horse gets all fired up and starts trotting at a really fast pace. The longer you allow this, the more excited he will become. If you don't do anything about it, he may keep up his mad speed till he eventually flags from tiredness. He seems like a child who has received a cycle that he has long craved, once he gets his hands on it, he is going to dash round the neighbourhood scaring folk witless. Your pony needs your calming influence to slow it down.
You can cause some control by getting your pony to transit to a walk or possibly a halt, Just as your horse is on the edge of stepping into the walk, discontinue the transition and instead make him jog, a very slow jog. Have in mind a 'halfway down to walk' pace. If he speeds up on his initiative, repeat the downward transition process until he finally gets in his head that a slower trot/jog is what you need.
Keep him at this slow tempo, at a pace which is precisely the opposite of the pace he would like , till the pony relaxes. When he does so , you can permit him to build up to a more normal speed.
Now look at the inverse situation. You are riding a horse who is just too reluctant to build the tempo. He is going at a slow, painfully slow tempo of his very own choosing. He has changed a canter to a 4-beat. You should speed up the tempo with some lengthening strides. You can feel your seat clearly moving faster as the tempo builds up. When you again shorten your horse's strides, you can move your seat as if you're still at the lengthening phase to keep the same tempo.
Whatever horse you riding at whatever trail or event, ensure your pony functions with regular rhythm and tempo, so that he will maintain fantastic balance.
About the Author:
Horses are Heather Toms
passion and she enjoys sharing her extensive knowledge through her 100s of
articles with other horse lovers go here
passion and she enjoys sharing her extensive knowledge through her 100s of
articles with other horse lovers go here