Question: I have recently put my standardbred in training to learn how
to gait. I would like him to either do a running walk or a rack.
He can gait for about 20 feet and then he breaks into something else, bottom
line is that he can't maintain it. He also tries to canter.
I am not sure how to go about getting him to do what I want.
From Panelists Nancy
You say that your standardbred can gait for about 20 feet. Then
don't ask for any more than that for a while. When he can gait consistently
for 20 feet, then ask for a little more. If he breaks, stop him and start
over asking for him to gait. Whenever he breaks, stop him from the canter or
whatever he is doing, and ask again for him to gait. Hold him very straight
and steady. Gradually he will be able to be consistent at longer distances
as it becomes easier for him.
Nancy Cade
Fraom Panelists Laura
It sounds like your horse is starting to work nicely in gait - he just
needs
to develop the correct muscles for gait. Don't worry too much
at this point
that your horse can't maintain his gait - he will develop
more stamina as
he goes along. You could try just dog walking your horse when
he breaks
gait. It builds the same muscle groups as the running walk and
doesn't get
your horse in the habit of staying in a pace. Please have some
patience and
give your horse the time he needs to learn his gait. It sounds
like he spent
a good portion of his life learning to pace and stay in that gait so
it will
take some time to teach him the "new" gait.
Laura
