> 2008/6/3 Judy Ryder <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>: >> A lady wrote to me this morning asking which bit to use to get tolt. >> >> What would you tell her?
To get her thinking about this, I'd probably start out by asking her if she needs different bits to get walk, trot, and canter. Hopefully, she'll say "no". : ) >From there, I'd explain that in a naturally gaited horse, the soft gaits are not (should not be) dependent on outside influences -- i.e. shoes, tack, bits, etc., but more a matter of letting the horse get in condition and learn cues. Within that process, she will discover what soft gait her horse has under the hood. That would then be a segue to discussing how few Icelandics *naturally* do a true tolt under saddle, but rather often saddle rack or do a foxtrot. Finally, I'd ask why she thought she would need a special bit. . (because I'd be curious where THAT notion came from!) -- Renee M. in Michigan
