Mar 18, 2020
Episode 70: Question: After warming up and we're beginning to
work, I have a really hard time keeping his gait consistent,
usually start out slow and easy. But as we continue on, he has a
tendency to increase his speed and will tense up and occasionally
throw his head. Whenever I ask for a change of gait, especially
downward transitions in, it most often happens during the lope. It
also happens when I'm lunging him prior to riding, and I would like
to know your opinion on how my contributing to his craziness and
inconsistent gait and how can I do better at helping him relax and
slow down?
A: Stacy explains that there are many things to consider including:
lack of balance between riders hands and legs, riders 'correction'
causing more problems, riders concept of how 'light' a horse
'should' be, rider not planning ahead, horse 'trying too hard'.