>>> Liz Graves had me lift up on the reins slightly and shift my weight back >>> a little to find tolt. I don't like to do it this way because I don't >>> want to have to hold her head up at all (personal preference). Dave's way worked better for us - but I had only had Drifa for a couple of months at Liz's clinic so there's been a whole lot of learning by both Drifa and I since then which might have a lot to do with it.
To clarify for the list though, Liz first evaluates what each horse is conformationally capable of. For instance, Trausti is conformationally capable of the full range of gaits, from pace to trot. She told me that I could try a mullen mouth pelham on him, and maybe hold his head slightly to get him to do a true rack/tolt, but I prefer to ride with a looser rein, and Liz is certainly VERY supportive of that. When I sit (sat...now that he's Janice's horse) quietly and in balance on him, with a very quiet, loose rein with a French link snaffle, he defaults to flat walk and run walk, and I'm sure he would with no bit as well. It wouldn't be a stretch for Trausti to tolt - he's certainly very capable of it. (Well...except he's so "calmatose" that it's hard to imagine him getting up energy to do a true, single-foot rack/tolt.) Karen Thomas, NC
