gaiting help please

I agree however the only time i ride him is on trail rides and we do faster paced rides so if i can only get 3 good steps then im going to be left behind lol i ride with 3 other ppl (1 walker and 2 paso finos)

You can't trot or canter instead? :)
I know most of you people don't trot, but a slow cantter?

OMG I went out and rode reno today on about an hour ride and he did wonderful, still breaking gait but doing this funky half trot half gait thing, possibly a broken pace Im not sure as I cant see how his feet are falling. BUT I did do 2 things differently, I put a saddle blanket (one of those thin wool ones) over his pad thinking it may give a little bit of added comfort and I also decided to try him with a hackamore tonight and he did so so so good, not great but did do better!!! Cant wait til tomorrow yaaaayyyyy lmao

Hi ~

I have a SSH as well & I use a Tucker Endurance Trail saddle on my guy which works great for him. Fits him perfectly & no problems with gaiting at all. Sometimes you can luck out & find a good used one. I rode him in a hackamore as well for a while but went back to bit. Good luck no matter what you choose!!

*UPDATE*

So yesterday I went for a 2 hour ride, he is still doing better and better gaiting under saddle, however I agree Berkley, I too am switching to a bit again, I noticed he did great with the hackamore on the way out BUT on the way home I couldnt get him to recollect and I had a hard time turning him and slowing him down when he didnt want to. LUCKILY I have been riding with the bit attached to the saddle with a clip so I was able to take the hackamore off and put that bit in his mouth and had LESS problems. I believe it was Zab who had mentioned in a previous post on this thread that if he had been hurt under saddle he may be "afraid" that he is going to hurt if he gaits...I am wondering if that is the case cause as I am noticing he has been doing better and better each time (as long as i have a bit in his mouth lol).

*berlkey, i would love to get a tucker saddle but all the used ones ive seen are still 800-900! Wish i could afford one, guess ill have to settle...dont want to go into debt over a saddle lol

Also do you guys think I am just expecting to much from him, I mean like i said ive only had him since Sept 1st and he was never taught to gait or collect when I got him. Do you HONESTLY (be harsh if needed I can take constructive criticism) think that where i am now is expected, less than i should be, ect?

Couldn't agree more! That's still a lot of money & something else may come along. I experienced the same thing with the hackamore. Worked great at first & then I needed more control & went back to the bit. Just give things some more time & with more training I'll bet things smooth out.