Misty is a TWH, has over 1350 miles, is ROC qualified. She will do the
following gaits: walk, running walk, trot, pace and gallop. She selects
between trot, pace gallop depending on footing and terrian.
On flat trail with good firm footing she will often choose to pace (it is
actually a broken pace) and it seems to be a very energy efficient gait.
She can go as fast as a slow gallop (12 to 15 mph) with a heart rate in the
120 to 130's - so it must be comfortable for her. If we are going down
hill she will almost always pace. This pace is much more comfortable than
riding a trotting horse downhill in the trot.
If we are going uphill she will trot or gallop - depending on the speed.
At slower speeds (6 to 8 mph) she will do a running walk.
Her pace is not bad to ride but don't try to sit it. I ride it by coming
up slightly off the saddle and ride on the inside of my thighs. Riding it
this way it is smooth and not tiring. One interesting point she has never
(knock on wood) doing the pace. I cannot say the same for other gaits!
Truman
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The race is not always to the swift, but to those that keep running.
Truman and Mystic "The Horse from HELL" Storm
and Danson "The Demon in Training" Flame
prevatt@lds.loral.com - Sarasota, Florida
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