RACK ON...

I got a email with pictures of horse and different animals with

different colors.. forgot the title to it.. but saw this picture and

it  brought back memories of 50 years ago..

Over the years my parents had several breeds.. First starting

out with what they called walk trot horse.. meaning, American

Saddlebred.. then  a couple of 5 gaited, switching to jumpers

after that.. After I left home, they switched to Hackney ponies.They were smaller and used mostly in buggies, easier for them to handle in their elder years. .

This is a 5 gaited show horse. Which is a branch of the

American Saddlebred. .  Most of the ones I saw were

one solid color.. only saw on paint before. We are use to 3 gaits.. walk, trot and canter.. 

Those who have showed horses know that we do that at the command of the ringmaster.. and then reverse, (going the other direction) and again to the command of the ring master..

5 gaits are .. walk, slow gait, trot, canter and rack.

Slow gait is like of a slow lope like that western riders

is use to.. Rack is a very fast pace..

Nothing stirs the juice than to hear the ring master

yell out.. RACK ON... as a rider.. you will either have

every bone in your body jarred to pieces.. or it will

be the thrill of a ride... As you hold the reins in your

hands tight.. (English have two reins) and the power

goes thru those reins ... thru your body, as the hooves

hit the ground like powerful pistons on a fine running

machine... and the ride is like a powerful racing

sulky ride, without the sulky. ( A sulky  is a lightweight

cart having two wheels and a seat for the driver only, like

in harness racing).

closing my eyes and remembering the feeling... RACK ON..