LETS get past taking any one person as some sort of gossiple leader, far as horse training.
I have read some of Rashid's books, and while there is alot of good info, there is also a lot of bunk, much by trying to relate his own martial arts mindset to horse training
For instance, his rant against all curbs with a jointed mouth piece, labeling them all TT (Tom Thumbs ) etc is ignorance and mis information, of how a good jointed mouth curb functions.
Again, from the videos posted, this horse appeared to have agood start, one certainly knowing how to trot, cued correctly, and one that did a variety of jobs, with her next owner (s) some that included speed, yet remained sane.
Thus, best advise remained to have a good western trainer get on the horse and establish as to what she really knows, and how she rides.
A horse that appears to have been ridden out lots, including working cattle, is hardly I would think needs \de spooking', but one that might take advantage of a rider , if not clear leadership is established
Not saying she can't go English, but at the moment she needs a good western rider to see exactly where she is at
Yes, western horses are used to contact, but they do not understand, that when they are giving correctly, thaT release from contact is not given
I mean, cue to trot or jog is pretty universal, and I have no problem riding my all around horses, that I first trained western, English, using same cues
A trot or jog is asked for, using both legs, with either just a touch, or a fanning, depending on level of finesse.A lope or canter is asked for, with outside leg, thus, if a horse tries to canter/lope instead or trotting, either he is being held with reins too much, or is being asked incorrectly
We are not taking of any upper level specific movement, but simple gaits, and abroke horse, ridden and trained correctly, doe snot get confused!
Get a good western trainer to evaluate this horse-that is the starting point, JMO