Ridecamp: Re: [RC] MFT vs.TWH

Hi Ray, Duncan et al,
I would use whatever gait in that steep and rough country I felt my horse to 
be the most surefooted and efficient at.  That could be a running walk or 
foxtrot, depending upon the horse.  As Duncan points out, these horses derive 
from much of the same stock, and I would select the horse based on 
conformation first, then gait. I've ridden arabs at a trot through all kinds 
of rough terrain.  I ask my foxtrotter to move out efficiently, be it in a 
running walk or a foxtrot, or when terrain permits, a canter.  I don't find 
the transitions up or down to be rough at all.  As Duncan suggests, Lee 
Ziegler is truly an authority, and would be a good source of information, 
though I haven't heard that she does much long distance riding.
Bottom line, like many of the other discussions - choose what suits you and 
"ride really ride" as well as you can!
Happy trails,
Kitty Longino, hardly an expert!

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