just wanted to add, when I said like Lynne said, rolling back on the
back of your bottom to get the gait started, not saying to stay in the
chair seat, just go to it long enough to find out if the horse gets the
change to move to another gait, if not, don't worry about it. Just keep
riding your horse. Sometimes, more fitness can get gaits to happen.
Wait and see!
John mentioned that he thinks the term "strongly gaited" is vague and I
agree. However, if it requires lots of moving around in the saddle, special
fitness, or odd placement of the saddles to get the horse to gait, then
there's your clue that the horse isn't.
It's not an insult for a horse to be three-gaited, marginally gaited, not
"strongly gaited" - whatever you choose to call it. I've adored plenty of
them, as well as some nicely gaited ones. But to me, if I have to rub my
tummy while patting my head at the same time, to get the horse to gait, it's
just not worth it. Trotting can be pretty cool too. Why not just enjoy
what the horse does best? Think about what the horse is doing for us,
carrying our substantial butts around. Give him/her a break and enjoy the
best ride he/she can give you. If that's not up to your standards, then buy
a horse that easily and comfortably does what you want and find someone who
will love your horse for the great talents HE/SHE has.
Karen Thomas, NC
