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When I bought my first Missouri Fox Trotter,  I was told to gather him up slightly to fox trot and gather up more for running walk. My "teacher" has me gather him up more than I had been originally, she says he has a running walk but no fox trot. How can I learn more about the difference in the gaits and the best way to achieve both. He is smooth when he moves which is my main concern after 3 surgeries to my spine. I sold a doll of a Tennessee Walking Horse because due to her pace riding...

Q.  Hi, My coming four-year-old TWH does the stepping pace when we gait fairly slowly. However, when asking for any speed, he breaks into a hard pace. I've had him for about a year and walk him about 98% of the time. I've started him slowly and have gradually asked for more reach and speed at the walk but as soon as he breaks into gait, its pace,pace,pace. His gait gets very rough when going downhill. That is his gait of choice in the pasture as well. He likes to travel with his head up high so I'm sure his...

Q. My name is Mary K. -I LOVE your site!! My husband & I have had TWH for 30 years now. MOST of the training I did myself because I didn't want my horse abused by other trainers  (our first stallion was abused in the "performance" methods. I quickly removed him but not before damage had been done. I learned a lot over time and was lucky enough to have Roy Larson as my teacher (he trained many Olympic riders and steeds). We won most everything we entered which includes many regional championships, state championships (etc.) so I assume that...

I have an up and coming 4 year old TWH who has a beautiful gait, but when I ask for a canter or more speed, he only picks up his gait until heCanter is flying, and getting hot. Then he doesn't listen to what I want. He also does this when I ask for the trot, but is the trot as important as a canter? I hope to do some showing this season. I ride in a western roping saddle, with a curb bit, I don't use the strap. Should I? I don't have shoes on him, should I? Or...