Spotted Saddle/Gaited Horse N00b

Scarlet is my first gaited horse, a SSH to be specific. The longer I've owned her, the more I'm learning about the breed. But only in short little tidbits, nothing really informative. For example, I know they "brace against their bit" when racking....but what bit should I be using? "SSH aren't supposed to trot"...mine does, and horribly at that lol. "You're supposed to sit back to help them balance".....uh, what?

I've Googled, asked trainers, looked for books....but nothin. Any info you can offer, educational or in the direction of it, is appreciated :)

Gary lane has some good info.

There is a book called Easy-Gaited Horses by the late Lee Zeigler (Ziegler?) that would be a good start for you.

They don't have to brace against the bit. They can trot. They are like any other horse--except they have a special, smooth gait. My SSH mare trots and gaits. Both are lovely to ride and I have separate cues for each. I use light contact when riding her, and use a french link snaffle or a sidepull (bitless). I also sit in a balanced position...the same one I sit in when I ride my non-gaited mare.

Lee Ziegler's book is a great one, here's another recommendation for it.

Agreed. Here's a sample:
MAKING CONTACT, How to use a bit, By Lee Ziegler