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  Discussion on Young Tennessee Walker trots
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Posted on Tuesday, Dec 21, 1999 - 9:18 pm:

Although my two year old reg TWH colt displays both the running walk and the trot when he is free, he seems to trot more often when I am running alongside with him on the lead. When he does pick up the running walk, he usually loses it after a few strides and reverts to the trot. Does anyone have any advice on how I should encourage him to do the running walk? Is it possible to do so from the ground? I have only been on him once at a flat walk and I don't want to proceed until I know how to handle this gaiting situation. Thank you.

Posted on Thursday, Dec 23, 1999 - 8:28 am:

Hello Kathy,
My wife has article on curing the pace that also applies to the trot (see Training: Gaited). She uses dressage principles to collect the horse which allows a horse to maximize use of his hind end. The result is an uncoupling of the tight control of the front by the rear and disengaging the symmetrical beats. All of our gaited horses have improved their running walk with these principles. However they do require you to be on their back. The only exercise I can recommend while not under saddle is lunging that emphasizes a true walk. When the horse hits the trot bring him back down to a walk. Using side reins would be a way to obtain more control of the head but I find trying to adjust very young horses too much just frustrates them.

Don't forget a two year old shold not be worked more than about 10-20 minutes 2 or 3 times a week on lunge.
DrO

Posted on Friday, Dec 31, 1999 - 6:28 pm:

Dear Dr. O:
I'm confused. Over the years, I've been advised by several "walker people"--one vet and two breeders/trainers --to never lunge TWHs as going in circles tends to make them move diagonally instead of laterally. Then I purchased a videotape on starting young TWHs and it said it was OK to lunge them, even if they trot. Do your young ones trot when you lunge them? I'm afraid of encouraging the trot by lunging my 2 year old.
I tried to start him on lunging recently but he trotted all the time. If I stop him every time he trots to get him over to the running walk, I'm afraid he'll become frustrated and never learn to lunge at all. Thanks, Kathy Williams

Posted on Wednesday, Jan 19, 2000 - 1:37 am:

An update on my trotting two year old TWH.
I've been getting on him now and then and yesterday for the first time I pushed him to go faster than a flat walk. He went right into the running walk and never broke! Isn't that wonderful!? I'm just thrilled. I hope he keeps it up.

Posted on Wednesday, Jan 19, 2000 - 10:22 am:

That's great Kathy,
I dont know what happened to my response to the Dec 31 post. Essentially it said:
We lunge all our horses but not to establish gait but to teach behavoir and get the edge off. It is the rare 2 year old that has a good running walk. To get a good running walk requires you ride 1000's of miles at a flat walk. Of course your horse is too young for long rides but next year flat walk your ass off. Most people skip this and end up with a horse that has to be worked at to keep from trotting or pacing.
DrO

Posted on Wednesday, Jan 19, 2000 - 2:31 pm:

Thanks--I am not an expert on the perfect running walk, so maybe what he's doing is not good enough for the show ring but it is certainly smooth and good enough for trail! I will however take your advice and do a lot of flat walking because I don't want to have to fight the trot or pace. Thanks for your input.
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