| RHYTHM AND TEMPO | | | | When the horse's foot is down it is a sound. When |
| Before you can pick the perfect freestyle music for | | | | your horse's foot is up, it is silent. This is how we can |
| your horse, you need to understand the difference | | | | relate the rhythm of music to the rhythm of your |
| between rhythm and tempo. | | | | horse's gaits. |
| Many people use the words rhythm and tempo | | | | Tempo -Tempo is the speed of the music or the |
| interchangeably, but they don't mean the same thing. | | | | speed of your horse. Depending on how fast you |
| This month, I'll go over the meaning of each--both in | | | | want to go, you can adjust the rate of repetition of the |
| musical terminology and in riding terminology. It doesn't | | | | rhythm. |
| matter if you ride DRESSAGE, HUNTERS, or you are | | | | Tempo in music can be fast, slow, or in-between. |
| an EVENT RIDER. Every equestrian needs RHYTHM!!! | | | | Music sounds and feels different depending on how |
| Rhythm - When riding, regularity of the rhythm refers | | | | fast it's played. The same piece of music will have a |
| to the even spacing between each step in a stride of | | | | different effect or mood depending on whether it's |
| walk, trot, or canter. In music, rhythm is made up of | | | | played fast or slow. |
| sounds and silences. These sounds and silences are | | | | Hopefully, this description clarifies the difference |
| put together to form patterns of sound which are | | | | between rhythm and tempo as it applies to music and |
| repeated to create rhythm. | | | | to your horse. |
| Look at the two descriptions of rhythm and put them | | | | Next month, we'll talk about choosing the particular kind |
| together. Think of the sounds and silences of the | | | | of music that will accentuate your horse's strengths. |
| musical terminology and the even spacing between | | | | Stay tuned for a whole lot of fun! |
| each step of your horse's gaits as the same thing. | | | | |