ropewalking

[Deleted]

pearl ropewalks behind, always has, the vet said not to worry about it, but he also said that she will probably allways do it.
I know being so narrow is unusual for a Dales. do any other ponies do this?

[harveydales]

I think all Dales move close behind but wide in front. I'm not an expert but I've been told this was a desired trait at one time for animals used in the plough so maybe it stems from this. All our 3 Dales move closer behind than in front but dont brush/interfere or plait/ropewalk. Pearl is only young so may still fill out behind and so you might find her action alters a bit. I'm sure the breed experts on here will be able to tell you more.

[valerie n scout]

yeh Toimas and Scout walk different, Tomas is close behind but Scout walks like he is wearing a "dirty nappy"

[olivia]

Definitely think it's the breeding - horses bred to pull things often have a 'set' to their back legs to help them do this (so they are very slightly sickle hocked - not enough to be called sickle hocked and to be honest I never noticed until I was having issues with how Tilly wears her feet and did some research).

It's worse with Tilly when she's not fit and/or tired towards the end of the session - or if we're working on heavy/sticky ground. She starts to brush ever slightly behind and you can her feet clicking together. It's not enough to wear the feather away so she can't be doing it all the time or too badly. My instructor and I had long discussions about whether I should boot with either brushing boots or a sausage boot. But we decided she hadn't damaged herself so far and she's not shod, so she's unlikely to do herself any serious injury. Plus she's got ACRES of feather helping protect her legs.

So I don't bother unless we're jumping solid fences when she has brushing boots all round - but that's not to do with how close she moves behind but to over overall protection when jumping solid fences.

[Deleted]

here's a pic of her from behind, she's much narrower than my other four year old.

[DalesLady]

that looks ok for a Dales, they are meant to be close behind. It is in their breeding; Pam is correct when she says "a desired trait at one time for animals used in the plough"