>>>> Of course, I recognize a trot, and I allow it. According to couple of >>>> experienced gait people (both TWH breeders) I've ridden with, he also does >>>> a speed rack, saddle rask, stepping pace, fox trot, and a very rare >>>> running walk. He can flat walk at 6 mph and a slow rack was 12 mph. He >>>> canters like a sweet old fashioned rocking horse and will not or can not >>>> do a hand gallop. And praise God, he does not hard pace. ... So the >>>> question: is this horse naturally gaited or his wiring just haywire? Or >>>> is he throwing in all the versions of "gait" because I don't have a clue. >>>> I confess, mostly in an endurance ride, I choose the rate of speed and >>>> allow him to choose the gait except if we come to the top of a steep hill >>>> . Then I will check him and ask him to do any intermediate gait of his >>>> choice, but no trot or canter. This horse can FLY up and down hills.
Again, this is just MY take on it, for what it's worth... It helps me to not only think whether a horse is "naturally gaited", but about how wide is his RANGE of gaits. If your description of Hunter is correct, then I'd certainly call that "naturally gaited" - not at all haywire, but actually fairly typical of a multi-gaited horse. It sounds to me like Hunter probably has virtually the full range of gaits, probably just not extending quite into the pace range...and honestly, to me, that's not a bad thing. Now, if he were mine, and if I were showing him (ha...like that would ever happen...) I'd want to be able to request a particular gait and expect him to hold it for a reasonable period, until I asked for another gait. But, I'm not showing my horses, and I don't think that's on your radar screen either. I think there's something to be said for letting a horse pick his gaits as he sees fit - to exercise different muscles when he's tired, to adjust for varying terrains, whatever. So, when do I think shifting gaits an issue? To me, it's a problem if the horse shifts so rapidly that it's a constant battle to hold my balance. That's bone jarring, even if some of the gaits offered in the process are comfortable. It's an issue if the shifting is coming from me asking too much of the horse too soon (many apologies to Holly) or if the horse is shifting due to saddle discomfort - many thanks to Sina for all she taught me on that subject. But, if the horse is shifting for his own comfort, adjusting to terrain, etc., and he's not doing too much of any gait that might damage his back long term...what's the harm? The only thing that pops into my mind is that if he CAN do a running walk - easily, of his own choosing - you might try to encourage that more than the saddle-rack/true rack. The running walk can be done with more of a neutral frame than any of the racking gaits, and for long-term back health, I think it's a better gait. If however, he's also doing a good bit of trot and three-beat canter/gallop, with some walking interspersed, you may well be compensating sufficiently for the racking you do. It's all a matter of balancing the muscles the horse uses, and not letting him hold any particular "frame" for excessive periods - and I feel sure there are many paths to finding that balance. Karen Thomas, NC No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.516 / Virus Database: 269.17.11/1200 - Release Date: 12/27/2007 1:34 PM
