The Suspense is Killing Me! AKA Let's Talk About Suspension!

Deciphering the gaits is a bit difficult somedays. Many internet articles are out there claiming that the Western horse does NOT have suspension. 

If you read the rule book of USEF Western Dressage it states this:

WD 104 The Jog

1. The jog is a two-beat gait of alternate diagonal legs (left fore and right hind leg and vice versa) separated by a moment of suspension.

WD105 The Lope

1. The lope is a gait with three equal, regular beats with time of suspension after the third beat. One stride equals 3 beats, or three footfalls. This gait may be demonstrated on right or left lead. Footfall sequence in right lead is: left hind, right hind and left fore together, right fore, then suspension. Footfall sequence in left lead: right hind, left hind and right fore together, left fore, then suspension

It's not problematic to see this in the rulebook, but in where the issue lies is determining exactly what gaits are required. 

Regardless of what tack is used on a horse, the jog is a 2 beat gait. In English riding it would be called a trot. A Lope is a 3 beat gait, and it is a Canter in the English world. 

People who claim that a Western Dressage horse does not have any type of suspension in my opinion have not done their homework. 
Our gaits are deciphered by definition. Collected, Working and Lengthened Stride in the Jog and Lope. 

Suspension is increased by amplitude. This means that the increased energy and thrust will lift the horse's body off the ground. The would be easily see in a Dressage horse when they are executing an extended trot or canter. 

The suspension can also be considered a lift of the horse's body weight between the strides of the gait. It does not have to be a levitating hesitation. A jog is defined as a 2 beat gait. How could you ascertain the horse has 2 beats is there was no suspension or reasonable amount of lift. To have a 2 beat gait, both the front and opposite hind leg land at the same time. If the horse's hind legs were to switch the weight first, then the gait would be a 4 beat movement, and easily seen in a Western pleasure class, and even against the definition of gaits in their division. To switch from one diagonal to the other there has to be a moment of "suspension", or lift.  The same goes for the lope- If you did not have a moment of suspension, you would not have a 3 beat gait. You would be 4-Beating! The less the amplitude of the gait, the lower the moment of suspension which in fact is an upward lift of the body of the horse to lighten the feet in order to move the legs to the next stage of the gait. Remember, increased amplitude, increased suspension.

 Moment of Suspension: Lengthened Stride in Canter on a Basic Level Dressage Horse

Moment of Suspension: Lengthened Stride in Trot on a Basic Level Dressage Horse

So, what's the big deal?

In horses that are ridden balanced, and light in contact, the horse is going to lack somewhat of the amplitude in the collected jog and lope. When I see a horse that is supposed to the collected ridden with a constant half-halt and restricted hand we end up seeing the horse perform the false passage, which the horse appears to be "floating" in the collected gaits. The back of the horse is rigid and tense and is almost impossible to sit. This may be fine for the appearance of a fancy horse in the dressage ring, but is not what we are seeking for Western Dressage. Our idea Western Dressage horse is one who is light and happy, in self carriage without an interfering hand and seat.  A horse that appears to be performing the job it's self, and not "yanked and cranked" into a false position. 

Conformation has not even come into the equation yet. For the most part the typical Western horse is built a bit downhill and somewhat lacks the upward build. The Western Horse is built for getting down and dirty so to speak and not built for climbing up walls in a single bound. 

We should never forget that. 

I'm not saying that all Western horses are built downhill, but for the most part they tend to be, or at best level. 

Take for example this horse who may be an exception to the rule. 

Can this horse lengthen and increase suspension? Absolutely! The horse is not being forced by the hand and is balanced in the length of his body. The rider is sitting in a position that is not inhibiting the horses' movement. The rider is sitting in a correct line of shoulder-hip-heel. 

Collected Jog. Light and through.

A correct jog with self-carriage and lift
I think the other side of the story should also be told. Why to we ride in Western dressage? What horses do we use? The answer to many is plain and simple: For the enjoyment and development of forming a partnership with our horses. We are not all running out and finding what we think is the ultimate Western Dressage horse. For many of us, and me included, it's about taking the horses we have and helping them perform the best that they can!