The Sound of Music
Tempo is the rate or speed of motion or activity. Rhythm is a strong, regular, repeated pattern of movement or sound. There tends to be a lot of confusion about these two concepts, but they are actually completely different. One is sequence (rhythm) and one is speed (tempo).
The Sound of Music
Cadence can be defined as the rhythm of the ride. It is the musical beat that is the background of the gait and it should remain consistent through- out the gait. When the cadence speeds up, this is a change in tempo. Cadence is one of the things that makes a well-balanced horse a pleasure to ride because it is easy for the horse and rider to get in time with each other. Green horses often have poor cadence under saddle as they attempt to adjust to the awkward feel of the rider on their back. The gait is irregular and it’s difficult for the rider to maintain a balanced seat because the horse is moving forward with uneven steps. Cultivating good cadence in your horse’s gaits is an important part of building a willing and soft partner.
