>>>> So--what does that mean? Am I confusing her by not giving the proper aids or cues? Or is she just not capable of keeping a consistent gait? Should I be trying to encourage one over others? Which gait would be the best to encourage?
I think what it means is that you are starting to feel the difference and maybe be able soon to put names to them. That's a good thing. The way I see it, you can't really teach the horse much until you have it down yourself...and she's been on her own for many years now - what's a few more days of inconsistency going to hurt? :) I think this is a good exercise for you...for a short term. Maybe try to isolate one or two gaits at first, then try to brag on her for doing the ones you like. Don't mind saying the name of the gait once you're fairly confident of what it is - Sina knows their names, and learned them quickly. It might help to think of it this way - maybe ride once or twice as a passenger, just trying to feel everything in her range for YOUR education. Then try riding some by asking her for one particular gait...don't make a big deal out of it if she can't get or hold it, but praise her when she does. So maybe a few rides to teach yourself one gait, then a few rides to start teaching her, and maybe a little back and forth. I wouldn't recommend this if you had someone you trusted to help you, but if you're on your own, and are starting from scratch, it's an option. You may have to play around to see what subtle body shifts - or slight movement of your little finger on the reins, whatever - is all it takes to get her to stay in any given gait. I think if you play around with it - and have some fun with it - it will start to make sense, to you and to her. And when she starts giving you a gait, gradually start asking her to hold it just a tad longer, then a little longer... I know my way is kind of backwards to some people, but I like to do sort of a give and take - first see what she can offer, then try to fine-tune what's best for both of us, as long as it's easy for her. Remember my story about Holly, my TWH - she was older too before we got to the point of cleaning up gaits. I mainly rode her at trot until she was about 10 or 12. Oh, she could gait before then, but it was just too confusing for me, and I didn't have any one to help me. Karen Thomas, NC
