>>> I found it easier to teach trot by starting to post, then the horse would start trotting to get in sync with me.
I do that too - I decided to do it with my TWH mare almost 20 years ago, and I've stuck with it since it works. >>> To go from trotting to gaiting, I sit and tip my pelvis back, not very noticable from the ground, but the horse notices! I think that is a pretty common cue/aid. The other way is different though, or so I've found. If the horse tends slightly (to very) pacey and you want to cue for a softer, more mid-range gait, then you may actually have to go a little forward-seat to get the idea of "tolt" (meaning generic soft gait) across. Our TWH gelding, Mac, is pretty hard-wired to the lateral end, so I never was able to get him to trot. Of course, he was never encouraged to trot before we got him. Knowing what I know now, I MIGHT be able to stretch his range of gaits more now than I could then, but I'm not sure of that. I think that's simply what he is. Basically, I'm sort of a purist to let the horse do what it can most easily do. In some cases, that means letting (encouraging even) the horse to do multiple gaits when asked. I think of it as encouraging the horse to stretch his natural range, while not asking him to do something totally outside his range. If the horse defaults to foxtrot, running walk or saddle rack, I DON'T cue for gait. I simply try to sit very quietly and still, and get out of the young horse's way and let him/her do what comes easily. In that case, when I ask him/her to speed up, I let the default be the offered soft-gait, and I will cue for trot by going slightly forward seat, usually posting. (I like to post when I trot because it's good exercise for ME too.) On the other hand, if the horse defaults to something trotty, even pure trot, I don't ask him to gait until he/she's been under saddle for a while and has some back strength. I will treat that horse's trot as his default, letting it be the main gait unless I ask for soft-gait, by slightly leaning back, or by slightly rolling my pelvis back, depending on his stage of training. If the slightly trotty horse can't hold the soft-gait without me constantly bearing down with my seat bones (as often seen with traditional Icelandic riders - some of whom scoot back in the saddle and lean WAY back) then I figure it's not natural enough for the horse for me to insist on it. I think an "easy-gait" should be easy for both of us, human and horse. Karen Thomas, NC No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.463 / Virus Database: 269.5.9/773 - Release Date: 4/22/2007 8:18 PM
