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What is a Half-Halt and Why is it Good Exercise for My Horse?
Problem Horse Advice
I am interested in helping a friend. She has no computer. I recently bought a racking horse that was sold to me with a number of lies attached. The horse was too much for me as I am in my 60's. Another girl at our boarding stable fell in love with him. He is a beautiful black with a long flowing tail and mane. Rather then give him to a dealer to sell, I sold him to her. Now I am really concerned. When she goes out on trails, he is fine until the trip home, then he wants to...
Is the Single Foot the Same as the Rack?
I am writing to you from Alabama (the hinter land of the gaited horse)! I noticed on your site (GREAT SITE BY THE WAY) that you mentioned the use of a new terminology to describe the "rack." Would this be the "single foot?" I figured that one out a while ago. A good racking horse will single foot at a certain speed. My mare sure does and she is so smooth she appears to float! Lucy, AKA Linda R. Hello Alabama! Yes, the rack is also called the single-foot, when it's performed in such a way that there's...
Does My Gaited Foxtrotter Need to Perform the Foxtrot? (frequently asked question)
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...
My 4 Year Old Has No Professional Training...
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...