>In Standardbreds, the aid is "HEEEYYAAAAHH" and the pop of a 5' whip. Tina
>probably has a better way.
>ti
==============
<picking myself up off the floor> Just trying to imagin what would happen to
me if I did that from Tony's back!!
Ummmm, never really thought about - I've always done a good bit of ring
schooling so to me it's just a matter of applying the "forward" aides until
I reach the desired amt of forward and applying the "slow down" aides if the
trot turns into a canter. I know that probably doesn't help much - but
really, working in the ring and having a horse that responds well to shifts
in body weight and leg aides will go a long way in being able to change
gears easily on the trail. I don't find that the changing gears part is very
difficult - most horses love to trot wide open - often love it too much.
It's teaching them to hold that extended gait that can take some time.
In fact, I find now that I have to work to get my horses to NOT do a "hard"
trot - I like it and so do they so that's what I tend to do - which is fine
till I'm in a situation where I need to be able to rate the horse (like on
the trail with my mom <vbg>) and I realize I have not done enough schooling
on the trail.
Tina
Tony - is she still telling you guys that I have different gears?? ha ha - I
am the Turbo-Arab!
hickst@nichols.com