Look how much I'm bouncing! You could drink your coffee or sodas while clipping along at 6-18 mph! I often load, fire, and reload my revolver while traveling like this. This is a good example of the natural gait that our foals are doing out in the field alongside their mothers! (She has more neck motion and head nodding when out on the trail relaxed, but an exaggerated show head shake is not desirable as it actually decreases the smoothness of the gait. If you don't agree, just watch how much bouncing you can see in the head and shoulders of the riders who are showing! I hold my reins in a position that allows the reins to loosen as she raises her head and will cause the bit and curb chain to tighten up as she bobs her head down to the point I want her nod to stop. In this manner the amount of head shake can be adjusted by lengthening or shortening the amount of rein.) You should start this very very softly, even riding in a halter or hackamore at first, as you want to keep a soft easy feel to your horse's mouth. A good natural gait can even be done without a thing on their head; just watching youngsters gaiting through the sagebrush alongside their mothers is proof!

Click on the link if the video is not showing and it will download to your computer for playback on Media Player....Dollie Fast Foxtrotting