On Thu, Mar 13, 2008 at 09:06:46AM -0500, Janice McDonald wrote: > On 3/13/08, Nancy Sturm <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > > The first thing to try, though, is to run in hand or pony the horse > > > along side a horse that IS gaiting, on a hard surface or next to a wall > > > so the gaiting horse's footfalls can be heard. Again, the horse will > > > often "get it" from the sound. > > i dont think that really works.
i think it might -- reason i say is that stjarni (who trots beautifully at liberty and is, um, "strongly gaited" under saddle and has to be coaxed and cozened into trot, though it's still a great trot then) will often spontaneously trot on the trail when surrounded by trotting horses. not that we're on hard surfaces, but he can certainly *hear* their footfalls (and presumably see them) and seems to be encouraged to go as they do. i think it's a herd-intinct thing. --vicka
