15/04/2026
HYPERMETRIA - Spinal Ataxia in (winning) Dressagehorses
In dressage horses, exaggerated movement can be either true expression or neurological hypermetria. The clearest way to tell the difference is often at the walk.
The walk is the horse’s most honest gait. It is a simple four-beat rhythm, minimally influenced by training and highly dependent on coordination. Unlike trot, it cannot be convincingly “enhanced.”
In a normal, well-trained dressage horse, the walk remains:
• Regular and rhythmic
• Even and symmetrical
• Relaxed, without exaggerated limb lift
By contrast, hypermetria often becomes more obvious at walk:
• Over-lifting or snatching of limbs
• Toe flicking
• Inconsistent stride height or timing
• Subtle loss of coordination
At trot, both types of horses may look expressive and elevated.
At walk, however:
• Expression disappears
• Neurological dysfunction does not
If in doubt, trust the walk. 🦆🦆🦆
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