Gaited horse advice needed

[Debbie]

Hi,
New to this form, and would appreciate anyone with gaited horse training info. My mare is 3 1/2, broke out in March. We do a lot of ground work and she's coming along nicely. Sweet personality too. Gaited trainers are few and far between in our area, so I've basically been on my own. We are down to a nice, slow jog, but I can't tell if she's actually gaiting. I did manage to find 3 DVD's online for gaited horses, but they are very generic. Will her legs lift more as she develops muscle? She's a Kentucky Mountain by her registery, but her mama is a Foxtrotter. Does this make a difference in her gait as well? Thanks in advance!
Debbie

[WashingtonBay]

Well, I've never been in the same room as a foxtrotter, but I found this video on youtube of foxtrotters, it looks like a four-beat gait with a head-bob, not unlike a TWH running walk to the untrained eye.

Don't worry, there are better trained eyes around, here on the forum. I only have these two cents to offer.

YouTube - North American Championships - Foxtrotters

[Arrow]

Hi Debbie--This is the Bible, order it from Amazon.com:

Lee Ziegler, Easy Gaited Horses. It has tons of info and pics and will help you a lot!

I'm fairly new to gaited horses my self, I have a Spotted Saddle Horse that racks. You can also just google Ziegler and gets of info--but I recommend buying the book, too.

[gaited07]

Hi Debbie--This is the Bible, order it from Amazon.com:

Lee Ziegler, Easy Gaited Horses. It has tons of info and pics and will help you a lot!

I'm fairly new to gaited horses my self, I have a Spotted Saddle Horse that racks. You can also just google Ziegler and gets of info--but I recommend buying the book, too.


Hi and welcome to the forum.
As for a good book, see the above post. Lee Ziegler's book is a MUST HAVE.
I would like to add that it doesn't really matter what breed a gaited horse is for their gait, but more of a preferrance to the horses movements. Don't get me wrong, most Saddle horses have a great running walk, however, some will display a nice saddle gait or even a foxtrott. (this is an example).
I'm at work right now and do not have access to my gaited info. I will do a search and find a good example video to post for you.
Again,welcome to the forum.

[walkinthewalk]

Another ^5 for Lee Ziegler:cowboy:

I don't know about the MFT's and RMH's but, at 3-1/2, some Walking Horses are still finding their intermediate gait:)

You are wise to seek help to understand what to look for and how to keep the horse in its intermediate gait ---whatever that turns out to be:cowboy:

[Arrow]

Youtube really is useful for this sort of thing--watch a pretty wide variety of vids, though.

[Buckpoco]

I have a three year old walker I got in April. He's doing well but I have to take it easy. I just heard the most wonderful gaited person at Equine Affaire. Her name is Liz Graves and she's from Minnesota. She is some good teacher and I'd die to take a clinic with her. Tons of stuff on the web about her-highly qualified. I'm going to buy her DVD's but hope to get to a clinic next year.
She told me that my horse really won't mature until 5-7 so to take it easy. She said for now stick with hour rides and let him mature. From all of the research I've done, it takes years before they can really hold a gait for a long time. Most show horses are ruined as they start them so young. I bought one and had to take him back. I do ground work and easy rides but I'm always getting lost in our park and have had him on some 5 hour rides which I know are too long.

[Joey A]

Nothing new to really add here. I've seen MFT's that running walk, TWH's that fox trot, and other odd mixes. Heck I knew a guy that had a registered QH that did an Icelandic tolt. To me, unless I'm preping a show horse, I let the horse what do what they do best. (unless it's trotting;))

Stride height will depend on how the horse carries itself and how much muscle they are carrying. Once the horse has hit its peak you can add weight / make some adjustments in the shoeing to alter the shape of the stride and its overall height. Whatever you do don't get caught into thinking that a horse needs to be trimmed or shod a certain way to gait. You can manipulate the shoeing to force the horse to to gait of coarse... :huh:(Did you know Mr Ed was a TWH?) But that really cheats the horse, as a gaited horse should show self carriage all the time. They should be trained behind the bit and never rely on it, the shoes or even the rider.

ETA: I have a copy of Lee Zieglers book too, but still haven't read it. Someday I know I'm gonna get stuck on something and have to read it, but i've thumbed through it and can't really say that I've seen anything that I argue with.

[Joey A]

I have a three year old walker I got in April. He's doing well but I have to take it easy. I just heard the most wonderful gaited person at Equine Affaire. Her name is Liz Graves and she's from Minnesota. She is some good teacher and I'd die to take a clinic with her. Tons of stuff on the web about her-highly qualified. I'm going to buy her DVD's but hope to get to a clinic next year.
She told me that my horse really won't mature until 5-7 so to take it easy. She said for now stick with hour rides and let him mature. From all of the research I've done, it takes years before they can really hold a gait for a long time. Most show horses are ruined as they start them so young. I bought one and had to take him back. I do ground work and easy rides but I'm always getting lost in our park and have had him on some 5 hour rides which I know are too long.

I don't like to do a whole lot of work on them until they are about 4-5. But don't go thinking that your horse is too young to gait well. It dosen't take long to get a horse to gait. They already "know" how to do it, you just have to get them consistent and teach them how you ask them to do it.

You can teach one to gait really fast, but you have to know how to ask them. The problem with young show horses is from them being overworked, you see the same thing with reining horses too. It's just too much work too early, not that they were gaiting too soon. I have a little stud colt right now that is only about 2-3 months old and can rack probalby a good 15-20mph, and there are a lot like him.

[Buckpoco]

Hey Walkin-
My guy seems to get tired pretty fast when he does a running walk. Once we were out for a ride with other people and got stuck in a severe lightning storm.
We had to move back fast so I let him do what he wanted. He gaited, cantered, trotted and did maybe a rack(?) -he was so smooth but I was worried as we moved for about 25 minutes.

So you don't think it's pushing him to have him gait for more than a few minutes? The other horse I first had bought, gaited like crazy but had majorly swollen hocks and the vet had a fit. I just don't want to hurt him. I know the reining horses, the gaited show horses and certainly race horses are pushed way too early. It breaks my heart that people destroy them and throw them away like garbage...ugh!

[Joey A]

Depends on his fitness level. Monitor his P+R (for you non-endurance folks that pulse and respiration) If either seems stressed back off. 10-15 mins a day won't hurt him if he's fit, and if he's not fit his P+R will go up. Even more than that would be OK, I used to give about 30 mins a day on soft ground even on a 3 year old. (but not in deep sand or hard ground and not all at once)

I forget the guidelines for P+R rates on an endurance horse, someone here should know.

But it does sound like your horse could use some aerobic training to build some wind.

Personally I'd rather see a 2 year old racing than reining. I'm kinda on the fence about how a 2 y/o walker fits in there, depends on how much they were rode at home.

How long would you be willing to canter a 3 y/o q/h? It would be the same for the running walk.

[Debbie]

Thank you to everyone for your quick responses! I happen to have Easy Gaited Horses (gift from a friend when I got my mare) but it seemed like such complicated reading. I will certainly sit down with it now and take it more seriously. And, why I never thought to turn to YouTube is a mystery to me. Must be all this gray hair! Because she stumbled so much at the beginning, the ferrier shod her with shoes for protection more than gaiting. I was very grateful for that! My next question would be, how do you define "overworked", please. We ride for about an hour a day, five days a week. Lots of ground work and in the process of learning to side-pass, but I have already taken her on a 10 mile road trip, and several rides that were at least 4 hours long. While she doesn't seem to tire, she will start tossing that head around having a brat attack. We didn't ride 15 minutes yesterday when she started it again, and I know her teeth don't need floating. She's extremely soft in the mouth, and I've never had to use more than a half-halt. Should I just continue to drive her though her mood swings? Thanks again in advance!

[WashingtonBay]

One thing I know from talking to a friend with gaited horses (Frog, who is around and may show up here to either amend or argue with what I say) is she rides her young ones pretty extensively on trail, and she only gaits (walking of course for rest and through difficult parts) but she actively discourages any trotting or cantering.

In other words, I think to truly develop the gait, I think she would say don't do any trotting, and a lot of lunging and ground work is perhaps not the right thing either. I think you want to ride in long straight lines with good footing so they can really settle into the gait, up to their current level of fitness, of course.

[Joey A]

Good solid basics are all that is required to ride a gaited horse. Lee Zieglers book is all just basics, as applied to a gaited horse.

I don't think that anyone of any discipline would be done harm by reading this book.

Again, 10-15 minutes at gait isn't gonna hurt any healthy horse. As long as the P+R dosen't go too high your horse will be fine. I have horses that can work for a few hours on a 15 mile ride 3-4 times a week. (well maybe not right "now" but have done it very well) Admiral NEEDS to be worked for 30-45 minutes when he's fit before he calms down, then can work for another hour or two in a rack.

If your horse is still breathing heavy and has a fast or labored heart beat when you're done riding, walk your horse until he returns to normal before removing the saddle to avoid any problems. In real cold weather you might toss a sheet over them so they don't cool off too quick.

[Joey A]

One thing I know from talking to a friend with gaited horses (Frog, who is around and may show up here to either amend or argue with what I say) is she rides her young ones pretty extensively on trail, and she only gaits (walking of course for rest and through difficult parts) but she actively discourages any trotting or cantering.

In other words, I think to truly develop the gait, I think she would say don't do any trotting, and a lot of lunging and ground work is perhaps not the right thing either. I think you want to ride in long straight lines with good footing so they can really settle into the gait, up to their current level of fitness, of course.

Lunging is often poo-pooed by lots of gaited trainers. I don't do it very much, even when I'm breaking one, I don't spend more than 3-4 days vefore I start riding. They rarely see the lunge line or round pen again.

[WashingtonBay]

That's what I've always heard too, walkin.

[Joey A]

It's just alot harder to discourage a trot or a pace on a lunge line unless you are in a full bitting rig. Id rather not have to use a bitting rig, I'm lazy.

[Debbie]

I had no idea that lunging was a no-no, but, it makes perfect sense since my mare wants to trot!:eek: Outta' here for now. Have a good day!

[HaveFaith]

I read that book when I got gaited horses and wasn't sure if I was riding right, or the horse was stepping right. Everyone I asked told me they couldn't explain it to me, I just had to ride and 'feel' it. It was very frustrating. I finally started to understand, the more I read and rode. The book says you listen for a 4 beat gait by seeing if you can say 'Let's go along' to the hoofbeats. Frog told me she uses 'Piece of meat and two potatoes'. Either one works, the latter is just for 2 sets of steps. Another guy told me sometimes you have to pull back a little more on the bit, and sometimes you need to let off a little, till if feels right. I, personally, know they are at their smoothest and gaiting good when my ponytail (& boobs) doesn't move. Another thing it took a while to figure out is that most every horse is different and what works for one may not work for all of them. You can put more weight forward or back and they can be smoother. We ride up to 5 or 6 hrs. at a time, up and down hills and walking in water, rocks, sand, etc. We gait for up to an hour at times. We just watch them and let them breathe for awhile till their respirations get back to normal if any of them get tired. Ours are anywhere from 2 1/2 to 9 and the more we ride them the better they get.

[Buckpoco]

I just ordered Lee Ziegler's book. It sounds good.

I had the president of the New Jersey Gaited Horse Association come up for two days and work with us and our walkers. It was wonderful, she was very reasonably priced and we learned a lot. I have no trouble now knowing when he's doing the running walk. This lady is a trail horse person and advocates barefoot when possible. Not into the showing with all the nasty stuff that goes with it. Our horses are barefoot and doing well. Mine came with heels and was walking on his toes. He's now barefoot but the trimmer is slowly changing angles.

She also showed a walker as a jumper and just had different signals for gaits. I have one for a trot and one for a running walk, one for canter but I know Dice can do other gaits also, as can most gaited horses. This spring he'll be 4 and I'll start exploring his other gaits alsol

I also do a lot of Clinton Anderson stuff with Dice and Bogie and it works well.
Clinton has a whole series of DVD'S out on gaited horses. They are interesting too.

[Miracle Whip]

I would think the horse would do whatever he could handle. Mu neighbor has done a TON of trail rideing on her TWH and said she would listen for the footfalls to determine when he gaiting. The only way to get him into shape is to ride.;)

[Buckpoco]

In my research I've found that many professional folks feel that 4 or 5 hour trail rides on a three year old is too much. I'd rather be cautious than pay for it years down the road. I'm going to keep my rides to 1-2 hours till spring. We'll do some gaiting but not the whole time by any means.
There are a lot of opinions...

[FrogInABlender]

I finally made it back on here and saw the thread!

I start riding my youngsters a few months after they turn 2yrs old. I send them to a professional trainer for 30 days that specializes in breaking young gaited horses to trail. When I get them home, I take them out on fairly easy trails, preferably flat and straight, with other experienced gaited horses ridden by patient friends that won't run off and leave you. We'll also work them on rougher trails to teach them how to handle their body over obstacles, but then we're not gaiting them much on those.

We might ride them 10 miles, but not real hard, and I'm not real heavy. They seem to do really well if you put them behind a real even-gaited horse and just rack on out for 10 or 15 minutes at a time, or as long as they can without getting too tired, then let them walk until they catch their breath. As they progress, we'll gradually work them up to longer and longer periods of gaiting. And because they seem to want to mimic the gait of the horses around them, I'd avoid riding with other horses that pace or trot. And if your horse starts to pace or trot, for heaven's sake make him stop and start over. Only go as fast as the horse can go smoothly, even if it means falling behind.

A bad gait is like a virus that spreads. The more they do it, the more they want to do it and the worse it gets. They develop "muscle memory" for whatever gait they perform most often, so you want to make sure they're memorizing it correctly. Listen for even 4-beat foot-falls. Keeping a little cadence chant in your head helps. Like HaveFaith said, I use "Piece-a-meat-and-two-po-ta-toes" repeated over and over. It's corney, but it works. And like she said, experiment with your body position, the amount of pressure you put in the stirrups or the amount of tension on the reins. Different things work for different horses.

I do sometimes let a horse canter if his gait is tending towards a pace because a canter is a diagonal gait and it breaks their pattern of moving 2 legs on the same side at the same time and it seems to smooth them back out when you pull them back down into a gait.

But the best advice is just to ride him regularly. They get better every time! :)

[WashingtonBay]

I experimented with what you're saying about changing your position in the one whirlwind ride I had on Blade. I think he was tending to pace in trying to keep up with you, carrying me, who didn't have a clue how to ride him, so I fidgeted with sitting back, tighter rein, looser rein, till I felt him level back out to four beats again. A few times I felt him breaking and almost cantering as we raced though the woods. Man that was fun. From my little experience I will say it's a 'feel' and that you know when you've got it.

[FrogInABlender]

...So you don't think it's pushing him to have him gait for more than a few minutes? The other horse I first had bought, gaited like crazy but had majorly swollen hocks and the vet had a fit. I just don't want to hurt him...

I just wanted to comment here that it probably wasn't the gaiting that got him but his conformation. Lots of gaited horses from heavy show bloodlines have sickle hocks, which basically means that their hind legs are too long. It gives a padded-up horse great reach and over-stride, which looks great for the 10 minutes he might be in the ring, but too much stress for too long on those curved hocks will damage the hock ligaments and make them swell. They'll get over it with rest, but it's better to not buy into that kind of trouble to start with on a trail horse that's expected to perform for much longer periods of time.

[sarhound]

I know that I've had difficulties with Chico because he's been allowed to pace by former owners; I've only felt him go into a true running walk once when I was doing a brief bareback ride, and I almost fell off him from the shock of feeling the correct movement.

I was working with an instructor at a clinic for gaited horses awhile back. He suggested a lot of pole weaving, ground-level cavaletti, spirals--making Chico concentrate on what he was doing with his feet, and half-halting him, then pushing him on when I felt the pace occurring. He said it would take awhile for the muscle memory to be brought back. I haven't had the opportunity to follow up on the advice, but I'm hoping to have an arena soon out on the farm. It will give me the chance to see if I can put him back into his gait. I know he can do it-- he used to be shown extensively in his younger years, and he placed decently, from what I was told.

I love gaited horses. The movement is difficult to describe, but it's a sheer joy to feel it out on a flat place on the trail.

[FrogInABlender]

...I was working with an instructor at a clinic for gaited horses awhile back. He suggested a lot of pole weaving, ground-level cavaletti, spirals--making Chico concentrate on what he was doing with his feet, and half-halting him, then pushing him on when I felt the pace occurring...

All that stuff you mentioned works because it's extremely hard for them to do those things while moving 2 legs on the same side at the same time. Another thing that was suggested to me is to push them into a 2-track position, where their hind end is pushed farther to the outside than the front end, like a dressage horse doing a Passage. This helps break up a pace too.

Oh, and half-halts work wonders! :)

[Buckpoco]

Fortunately Dice has never shown any inclination to pace, unlike my hubby's horse. But with patience my hubby is getting his horse to gait now and rarely pace...but the horse prefers to canter and it's sooo smooth. They say the pacey horses don't want to canter but Bogie does.

I love my horse's canter...why wouldn't I canter him? Any reading I've done say that walkers have the dog walk, running walk and canter (plus other stuff too that's comfy).

When we're moving up a hill, over logs, etc. I let Dice trot. Once we hit roads I have him gait and he isn't allowed to trot. I just don't push him for too long.

Again, many people say never let them trot, others say that they can do both. I'm finding he's happy with both.

I do round pen and lunge, not for long, and when he's in the pen he trots and canters. I think gaiting isn't conducive to a round pen.

Again, Frog, there seem to be so many opinions. I guess all I care about is that I have a sane, sound horse for decades to come. But it's really fun getting into the gaiting...I just love the horses.

[Joey A]

I work lots of circles and serpentines. Ground poles are actually a little contra-indicated for a horse that does a running walk. The hind feet are supposed to stay low to the ground just above the surface, not like they are stepping over something. (it will actually keep you from placing at a show, I know that one first hand) Racking horses are a different story. (Mtn horses rack +/-)

Me, I prefer to let them pace then try to work them down. You can discourage a horse from moving out by "correcting" them as soon as they start pacing so I prefer to let them move out a little bit and praise them for moving out then bring them back down. Once they know how to come back down to a four beat from a pace, then you can correct them for pacing out of a dog walk. This way they also build some much needed muscle. I'd say most horses pace because they are just not fit enough to work in a running walk.

[Joey A]

All that stuff you mentioned works because it's extremely hard for them to do those things while moving 2 legs on the same side at the same time. Another thing that was suggested to me is to push them into a 2-track position, where their hind end is pushed farther to the outside than the front end, like a dressage horse doing a Passage. This helps break up a pace too.

Oh, and half-halts work wonders! :)

Shoulder in (3 track) is what I think you mean. (and technically the shoulder is in not vice versa)

Leg yeilds are my preference though. (hind quarters to the inside)

[Joey A]

What part of Texas are you in sarhound? (and don't say "east")

[Miracle Whip]

I am a bit confused here, what is wrong with a pace? Seems like no one wants their horse to do it? I have ridden a blind TWH in the arena and HE paces and I think its cool. My little Hackney mare does a really funky Roadster type trot and I love it - it feels a bit like a pace also. Its the RACK that I don't like, unless I am all goofed up here. The RACK is fast, rough, weird feeling and has a lot of neck and head motion. A pace is more left and rightish, like on a race track, right?

[WashingtonBay]

Yeah - you're confused.

A trot's a trot, a pace is awkward from the saddle and not too fun to ride, and a rack is like a walk that's moving at wind-in-your-hair speed while not spilling your champagne :)

There should be no head bob on a Racking horse, but there will be on a TWH.

[FrogInABlender]

I am a bit confused here, what is wrong with a pace? Seems like no one wants their horse to do it? I have ridden a blind TWH in the arena and HE paces and I think its cool. My little Hackney mare does a really funky Roadster type trot and I love it - it feels a bit like a pace also. Its the RACK that I don't like, unless I am all goofed up here. The RACK is fast, rough, weird feeling and has a lot of neck and head motion. A pace is more left and rightish, like on a race track, right?

You've gotta be confused! A pace is the roughest thing to try to ride in the world, worse than a trot even. It's like riding a camel! At least you can post to a trot, but trying to post a pace is pretty near impossible if you ask me. It'll beat you to death. But a good fast rack is a joy to ride. I can drink a Coke on a horse doing a 15mph rack and not spill any.

[Joey A]

Nothing wrong with a pace, if you have a standardbred, or a Narraganset. But walking horses should walk (or rack) Although I did teach my standardbred to rack, so maybe I'm a bit of a hippocrate?

Rack?! If it's rough, they ain't doin' it right. I have one I'd like to get video on for you, but I don't have the means to upload a video.

I have a saying, "If you want to ride, rack.... if you want to show, walk." Running walk has a lot more flash to it, but it's also harder for the horse and IMO not as smooth.

[Joey A]

a rack is like a walk that's moving at wind-in-your-hair speed while not spilling your champagne :)

Um, round here it's your Martini or white russian. (I have a case of half and half :rolleyes:)

Some say beer, but we don't let them ride. (turns nose to air)

There is an actual class at some TWH shows called "Water Glass" where you ride the class one handed and holds a glass of water. Whoever has the most water still in their glass wins.

[Joey A]

You've gotta be confused! A pace is the roughest thing to try to ride in the world, worse than a trot even. It's like riding a camel! At least you can post to a trot, but trying to post a pace is pretty near impossible if you ask me. It'll beat you to death. But a good fast rack is a joy to ride. I can drink a Coke on a horse doing a 15mph rack and not spill any.

I can post a pace. :p But I don't discourage pacing on green horses so I ride it alot.

[WashingtonBay]

I have a video I shot of Frog's horses racking by.... Frog's probably got one from the saddle.

YouTube - Frog and Blade Racking by

Heh... just to explain our conversation at the end... I'm on Becky's QH stallion, and he was super keen on that blue filly frog is on... you can see him starting to dance around as they approach (while I try to hold the camera still). He'd never seen them funny-walkin' horses before, but he liked it. :D

[FrogInABlender]

Joey, what's the difference between a rack and a singlefoot? A lot of people I ride with are starting to register their horses as North American Single-footers. I've seen some AWESOME videos of Single-footers, and DANG they're fast!

[WashingtonBay]

Um, round here it's your Martini or white russian. (I have a case of half and half :rolleyes:)

Some say beer, but we don't let them ride. (turns nose to air)

There is an actual class at some TWH shows called "Water Glass" where you ride the class one handed and holds a glass of water. Whoever has the most water still in their glass wins.

Yes, it's the water glass class I remember. :)

[FrogInABlender]

I can post a pace. :p

Dang, you're good then! ;)

[WashingtonBay]

I rode an off the track pacer years ago. That's all he did, he didn't trot, didn't canter, just paced reallly fast. I felt like somebody else was doin' the Chubby Checker Twist with my body and there was nothing I could to about it. :)

[Joey A]

It's a shuffle, like the appaloosas. Can't really describe it, but IMO most trotting horses can be taught a shuffle. Haven't you ever seen a western pleasure class? Western jog is just a slow shuffle. It's actually a little more in time with a foxtrot.

[Annasmom]

just a random question
for a gaited horse does it take more energy to do that or to like completly collect at a normal gait

[Joey A]

Dang, you're good then! ;)

Well get on about >160 walkers and you figure it out eventually. ;)

[Joey A]

just a random question
for a gaited horse does it take more energy to do that or to like completly collect at a normal gait

It's more work than a trot, even a proper extended trot.

[WashingtonBay]

They're moving fast, annas, so they're using a lot of energy. But since there's no suspension, I think it may be less impact. It's certainly less fatiguing for the rider, so a rider probably has to be pretty careful to not just fall asleep up there and overtire their horse. :)

[FrogInABlender]

See, now I can't figure out what's different about a foxtrot, other than it looks like their hind end is going up and down a little more. I've never ridden one so I don't know how it feels either. And I thought a Western Jog was a 2-beat gait, so I guess I'm just not that gait-savy. But I do know smooth when I sit it, and that's all that matters to me. :)

[Joey A]

They're moving fast, annas, so they're using a lot of energy. But since there's no suspension, I think it may be less impact. It's certainly less fatiguing for the rider, so a rider probably has to be pretty careful to not just fall asleep up there and overtire their horse. :)

University study from "somewhere, us" found no significant reduction in actual impact force between a trot and a icelandic tolt. As measured from a force detecting membrane between the shoe and the hoof.

I'll try to find a link to the study.

[Joey A]

Foxtrot is actually a diagonal gait. Lf-rh--rf-lh. There's a slight pause between the the two "pairs" and the front hoof hits the ground a split second before the opposite hind. Walking horse is considered a lateral gait, rh-rf-lh-lf, equally timed. A rack has a slight pause between the two lateral pairs. rh-rf--lh-lf

Of those ~160 60% walked 40% racked. I have done a handfull of foxtrotters, and a few gaited Bashkar Curly horses that foxtrotted. But only 4-5 shufflers. And 3 STB's that I've taught to rack. And I've rode 2 ASB's. (but they were finished horses)

[HaveFaith]

So is conformation what makes some horses feel smoother than others, even though they are all doing a 4 beat gait that sounds great? I've got some I feel like I am floating on and one that feels like she is stomping with her front feet and it jars all the way up through me. She has the best "pedigree" of any we've got. She's just 4, so will she get better with time. The best 2 are 6 & 9.

[Debbie]

[quote=walkin fool;42560]Nothing wrong with a pace, if you have a standardbred, or a Narraganset. But walking horses should walk (or rack) Although I did teach my standardbred to rack, so maybe I'm a bit of a hippocrate?

[gaited07]

I would rather be on a rough trotting horse with three legs than ride a PACE!
A saddle rack, rack, running walk, foxtrott etc are very smooth. Pace will jar your teeth loose!

[HaveFaith]

Yep! I call it jarring my guts out. Must stop them and restart. I'd rather ride a Quarter Horse. No offence to QH lovers; I have some of them, too.

[Debbie]

You can "teach" a horse to rack? I thought they were either born with it, or not?
Not trying to start a flame, but really confused. In a stable with 43 horses and I'm the only one with a gaited. In a perfect world, it would be wonderful for my mare to hear other gaited horses (addressing other posts here, too), but, that's just not possible at this time. It makes no sense to me to send her to a trainer when the principal is for her and I to have a partnership. I'm willing to put in as much time as possible with her. She doesn't pace, and I don't dare allow her to trot. She'd break me back. But, after reading quite a bit this evening of East Gaited Horses, now I'm even more confused. We're in an indoor sand arena and I can't "hear" her gait. All I know for now is that when she transitions into her slow jog, it's so dang comfortable that I don't want to stop. This evening we (meaning her and I) didn't care about staying on the rail. It was a slow jog only. She never winded, which means I probably didn't work her enough, but I felt like it was a start in a new direction. What I still don't get is, how the heck you get them into another gait? We don't canter any longer. Only because we're working on other things. What's the sense in cantering if you don't have control at a slow jog, let alone a dog walk? The girl couldn't walk a straight line 3 months ago, let alone allow me to pick up her feet, so I know we're making some progress. I just feel at the moment that I'm failing her and all the potential she has...

[WashingtonBay]

When you say slow jog, are you talking about a two-beat slow trot, like a western pleasure jog? Or are you talking about her gaiting?

[Debbie]

If I knew, I'd tell you. That is, if you're adressing me. Gaiting is so new to me, and I'm learning right along with my mare. Need to call it a night. Happy trails until tomorrow.

[WashingtonBay]

Well, can you have someone video you. ???

If it feels like a two-beat gait, it's a trot. If it feels like each foot is coming down at a different time, than it's a gait.

[Joey A]

Yeah, you can teach one to rack. It's tough, and they have to have a build for it. (so yes conformation does play a part) I won a bet teaching a horse to rack once. (month of training, double or nothing, which is good because it took two months:))

I have never been patient enough to teach a gait the "traditional" way. (starting slow and building) I have a system that I still can't describe and have yet to have anyone be able replicate it, but it works. Once I figure out what I'm doing I think I'm writing a book. I work them fast (in the gait they are not supposed to use) and try to bring them down. It'll be a couple weeks of pacing or trotting and then one day I'll sit back and squeeze the rein and we have a gait. My theory is that I get the horse to build muscle and balance while in the bad gait and know when they are ready to gait before I ever ask for it.

I'm guessing that your horse is actually trying to foxtrot. There is no "head nod" but they do move like they are "skipping" and the head does move a little. (when they do it, if you think skipping it will click) Let him have his head and try to keep his "hind legs" moving forward and under him. IME, they do better with your weight more forward that what you would regularly ride a walker / mtn horse. Try to get more impulsion with ground poles and 8 in cavaletti)

[Joey A]

When you say slow jog, are you talking about a two-beat slow trot, like a western pleasure jog? Or are you talking about her gaiting?

I'm guessing that it's a "flat" foxtrot. That's kinda what it sounds like, and what a green MFT feels like.

[Joey A]

So is conformation what makes some horses feel smoother than others, even though they are all doing a 4 beat gait that sounds great? I've got some I feel like I am floating on and one that feels like she is stomping with her front feet and it jars all the way up through me. She has the best "pedigree" of any we've got. She's just 4, so will she get better with time. The best 2 are 6 & 9.

They're alot of different types of "pedigrees" with TWH's. Most of your big name show horses make awful weekend warrior horses. The more action the horse is built for the more they need to be worked to keep in shape and the harder they are to get to gait. All show, no go. That is the way I do it anyhow, they do really well being shod in heavy shoes and will figure it out on their own, but they will lose their gait when the shoes are pulled.

I saw a video clip of Gens Armed and Dangerous in a breeding farm commercial on RFD-TV, he had no pads on him, (I'm guessing for breeding purposes) in a hard pace in a paddock.

Horses built with more upright shoulders and deeper angled hips will gait more naturally, but will have poor height and reach.

I've ridden the heavy shod park horses and while they are a rush, they do feel like riding a camel. Not very comfortable.

[gaited07]

Debbie,
The first thing I would recommend is getting some instruction for you with gaited horse barn. See if you can take a few lessons and PICK their brains on GAIT and the feel of the different gaits. You can learn a lot from the video's on youtube and also there are some great training tapes that are on sale with the Nationalbridleshop.com They have some very good tapes/dvd that will help define gaits. ( don't recommend gaits of gold or any Brenda Imus stuff)
As Walking Fool stated, DON'T BUY GIMMICK stuff to get you or horse to gait better. It doesn't work and is a marketing ploy to suck the bucks out of you.


I've included a link to a foxtrotter video that might help.
http://www.foxtrotters.org/foxtrotting_horse_videos.htm

(Sorry, I haven't had too much time to search my gaited stuff yet.)

[HaveFaith]

Thanks Walkin F
She (Faith) does have heavier shoes on the front, so I guess I will have to leave them on her. She seems to be smoother the faster she goes, also. Does that make sense? My husband took her to be shod this morning. The farrier has been putting thin plastic pads and bands on her because she needed the length also. (Long story). He is good and even rode a horse in the Shelbyville Celebration to a World Championship named Eternal Flame in the 70's. I guess I just need to ride her more and not less. It's just hard to ride them all and work, too. Don't get home till dark.

[walkinthewalk]

Thanks Walkin F
She (Faith) does have heavier shoes on the front, so I guess I will have to leave them on her. She seems to be smoother the faster she goes, also. Does that make sense? My husband took her to be shod this morning. The farrier has been putting thin plastic pads and bands on her because she needed the length also. (Long story). He is good and even rode a horse in the Shelbyville Celebration to a World Championship named Eternal Flame in the 70's. I guess I just need to ride her more and not less. It's just hard to ride them all and work, too. Don't get home till dark.

:confused: I am very respectful of the long-time shoers, but I still question why the length and why heavier shoes?

I have three Walkers, ages 12, 14-1/2 & 21. The latter two have been with me 12 yrs and 18 yrs respectively.

I have never kept any length on any of them and they all gait equally as well barefoot as with shoes; equally smooth when being ridden or watching them at liberty.

I live 12 miles from the Celebration Grounds, so anyone I trail ride with either has TWH's or SSH's. The majority of those trail horses are shod short and wear standard kegs.

The show horses are another ball park:)

When I was hard trail riding and kept shoes on everyone, I didn't even use keg shoes. I used those "darn Quarter Horse" St. Croix Rim shoes and borium head nails:eek:

No changing of angles either. Everyone "runs with what they brung" when they came onto this earth; except for the 14-1/2 yo who has a slightly clubbed front hoof. He grows heel while I'm watching, so his heels have to be kept lowered, elst he would be walking toe-first all the time. :cowboy:

Based on my three trail Walkers, my curiousity is piqued as to why it's thought your mare needs length and heavy front shoes:cowboy::cowboy:

[Buckpoco]

My horse briefly lost his gait when I had his shoes pulled, but he got it back after a month or so.

[FrogInABlender]

:confused: I am very respectful of the long-time shoers, but I still question why the length and why heavier shoes?...Based on my three trail Walkers, my curiousity is piqued as to why it's thought your mare needs length and heavy front shoes.

I'll chime in on this one because I ride with HaveFaith on a regular basis and know the horse, and it's not that she thought that the horse needed the length and heavy shoes, it's a fact. She's tried her with keg shoes and Natural Balance shoes, and shorter toes and she'll pace you to death if you get her any faster than a walk. So short of getting rid of her, the only way she can stand to ride her is with the heavy shoes. It's not ideal, but it's the best she can do with that particular horse. All her others are keg shod and real smooth. I think that particular mare just has more show type bloodlines than the others.

[FrogInABlender]

...I live 12 miles from the Celebration Grounds, so anyone I trail ride with either has TWH's or SSH's...

Y'all ought to come down and ride with us sometime! Have you ever been to Bankhead Forest?

[HaveFaith]

I couldn't have said it better. walkinthewalk, you said "show horses are another ballpark".
She has 5 WGC on her papers, so I just assumed, and also have been told that they breed them to be pacey, so when they put the 4 inch high pads and chains :nono::nono::nono: on them they do what they want in a show. I didn't know this when I bought her, she was just PRETTY and she did gait when I rode her, but it was just slow and I didn't really know what to feel for (it'll be 2 years in Feb.). I know a little more now than I did then, but it is a continuous learning process. The spotted saddle horse, Spec, and Daisy is double TWH/SSH are the best, but also the oldest. Sassy is Daisy's baby and she gets better every ride at 2 1/2. Some of the old timers around home also say the taller the horse the rougher they are. Any thoughts on that? Faith is 15-3 and the older 2 are 15 hands.

[walkinthewalk]

I'll chime in on this one because I ride with HaveFaith on a regular basis and know the horse, and it's not that she thought that the horse needed the length and heavy shoes, it's a fact. She's tried her with keg shoes and Natural Balance shoes, and shorter toes and she'll pace you to death if you get her any faster than a walk. So short of getting rid of her, the only way she can stand to ride her is with the heavy shoes. It's not ideal, but it's the best she can do with that particular horse. All her others are keg shod and real smooth. I think that particular mare just has more show type bloodlines than the others.

Well alrighty then:cowboy: That's a first for me:cowboy:

My two older Walkers didn't "make" for Performance Walkers, and the coming 4-yo that I lost in a freak accident two years ago was a strong Pusher-bred fella who was never shod and easily kept his gait. He had size O hooves for that tall body of his, that really annoyed me.

So the question is answered and thank you:cowboy:

[Joey A]

I'll chime in on this one because I ride with HaveFaith on a regular basis and know the horse, and it's not that she thought that the horse needed the length and heavy shoes, it's a fact. She's tried her with keg shoes and Natural Balance shoes, and shorter toes and she'll pace you to death if you get her any faster than a walk. So short of getting rid of her, the only way she can stand to ride her is with the heavy shoes. It's not ideal, but it's the best she can do with that particular horse. All her others are keg shod and real smooth. I think that particular mare just has more show type bloodlines than the others.

That goes back to what I was saying earlier about the missing pieces in the training. Try slowly shortening the foot and bringing the toe back. You will have to do more work to get them to gait. If you only back the toe up say 1/4" they will still know what to do and won't have been changed so much that a little extra "try" on the horses part won't get them going right again. Get them used to that and shorten the foot up a little again. It's kind of a backward method (for me anyway) but it outta work for you.

[HaveFaith]

That's part of the 'long story' I skipped so as not to bore anyone.
She was long and pretty smooth and learning and getting better and we let a QH shoer shoe her and he chopped off her toes and put natural balance on her front.
She paced again.
Then they were growing back out and she was getting better again and she cut her knee almost to the bone and had to be stitched up and stalled for 3 weeks. During that ordeal one shoe came off 'cause she pawed and she beat the hoof off. I got Hal's uncle to come tack a shoe on that foot (the good leg) just till I could get her to the regular gaited horse shoer and he quicked her. When we finally got her to LT, she had to have both front feet cut off again to even them up. That's why she still has pads and bands on.
She missed 2 camp out rides and the one I had to take and ride instead, Daisy, lost her baby. IT was like a domino effect of bad luck.

[sarhound]

What part of Texas are you in sarhound? (and don't say "east")

Heh, heh :innocent:

I'm out in the Winnsboro vicinity. I used to live in Jefferson and still drive a carriage there. We finally found some property that is nice, is relatively affordable, and the barns can be rehabbed. Once we get the fences completely repaired, the boys will have 24 acres to run on--right now, they've got 5 or 6 to kick up their heels.

It looks like you're a far piece away... bummer. I can't find anyone near me who I can bum around with (and who can call 911 when I smack into a tree.)

[walkinthewalk]

I couldn't have said it better. walkinthewalk, you said "show horses are another ballpark".
She has 5 WGC on her papers, so I just assumed, and also have been told that they breed them to be pacey, so when they put the 4 inch high pads and chains :nono::nono::nono: on them they do what they want in a show. I didn't know this when I bought her, she was just PRETTY and she did gait when I rode her, but it was just slow and I didn't really know what to feel for (it'll be 2 years in Feb.). I know a little more now than I did then, but it is a continuous learning process. The spotted saddle horse, Spec, and Daisy is double TWH/SSH are the best, but also the oldest. Sassy is Daisy's baby and she gets better every ride at 2 1/2. Some of the old timers around home also say the taller the horse the rougher they are. Any thoughts on that? Faith is 15-3 and the older 2 are 15 hands.

Yes, they do breed them to be pacey, but going back to "Walking Horse Beginning of Time", that's what they did naturally:eek:

The Canadian Pacer and the Naragansett Pacer, that is now extinct, played heavily in the formation of the Walking Horse breed. So essentially the pacing gene has always been there.

My 21 yo is a hard lateral pacer in the pasture, but does the Stepping Pace when being ridden. He is around 14.3H and every bit as smooth as my two that do the running walk.

For some reason his stepping pace (a huge no-no in the Walking Horse world) seems to feel better to my lower back; then again that could be because we've been buds for 18 years, he's never made one mistake, and I am slightly partial to him:innocent:

My Generator-bred fella is 16H longer-backed and lanky. He has a very smooth running walk, so "the taller the horse, the rougher the gait", doesn't fit him unless he's an exception.

My 12 yo that is amazingly only 5 or 6 generations removed from Old Glory on his top side and Nell Dement on his bottom, is around 15.1H, and built like the Step-Pacer, short-coupled and stocky. His running walk is smooth but doesn't seem to be quite as smooth as the 16H fella. He also had some serious injury to his sacrum area before I bought him, so that may play a part in his slightly rougher running walk.

That thought brings me to another thought:

Has this mare had her skeletal structure checked?

About six months before I lost my coming four yo, he suddenly couldn't keep his gait and started to trot after about 30 feet. It turns out his Atlas bone (head/neck) & sacrum (butt area) were out of place. The vet/chiro adjusted him, I gave him two weeks off and when I got back on him, he was a gaitin' fool with a beautiful head shake:cowboy:

[walkinthewalk]

That's part of the 'long story' I skipped so as not to bore anyone.
She was long and pretty smooth and learning and getting better and we let a QH shoer shoe her and he chopped off her toes and put natural balance on her front.
She paced again.
Then they were growing back out and she was getting better again and she cut her knee almost to the bone and had to be stitched up and stalled for 3 weeks. During that ordeal one shoe came off 'cause she pawed and she beat the hoof off. I got Hal's uncle to come tack a shoe on that foot (the good leg) just till I could get her to the regular gaited horse shoer and he quicked her. When we finally got her to LT, she had to have both front feet cut off again to even them up. That's why she still has pads and bands on.
She missed 2 camp out rides and the one I had to take and ride instead, Daisy, lost her baby. IT was like a domino effect of bad luck.

My goodness she has had a time of it and so have you having to deal with all this.

Hopefully she has her bad luck over and done with for the next 30 years:cowboy:

[HaveFaith]

Thanks walkinthewalk. I hope so, too. She's a sweet horse.

I wouldn't know who or where there would be a vet/chiro around here. We are lucky to even find someone to float teeth.

She has a 4 beat gait and it's actually pretty smooth the faster she goes. She just doesn't compare to the gliding smooth feeling of the others. I just kind of put more pressure on my legs to lessen the pounding when her front feet hit the ground.

[gaited07]

Here's another site that will help out.

http://www.gaitedhorses.net/

http://www.gaitedhorses.net/Articles/RWbyLiz/RWGait.shtml

more videos on the running walk

http://www.howetheywalk.com/runwalk_video.htm

[FrogInABlender]

...We're in an indoor sand arena and I can't "hear" her gait....

Is there a gravel driveway or parking area or someplace with a harder surface where you could work her for little while? All I'm getting at is that on a harder surface you could definitely tell if you're getting an even gait.

Here's a video clip I took while riding one of my horses out on a dirt trail. If you turn up your speakers you can hear her footfalls. She's not the best gaiting horse in the world, but she's smooth enough and that kind of sound is what you want to hear...

Video of Racking on at Thompson Creek - Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting

Here's another one of her coming up a friends gravel driveway. You can hear her feet as she goes by the camera...

Video of Hope Floats - Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting

[Debbie]

Well, can you have someone video you. ???

If it feels like a two-beat gait, it's a trot. If it feels like each foot is coming down at a different time, than it's a gait.

Bay, the puppy ate my digital, so I'm hoping Santa brings a new one so we can video. I think it would be a great learning tool. As far as if she's doing a trot or gait, I still don't know because apparently my body is not educated enough to know the difference:confused: Later this afternoon a gal is going to watch us ride to see if she can tell.

[Debbie]

[quote=gaited07;42866]
I've included a link to a foxtrotter video that might help.
http://www.foxtrotters.org/foxtrotting_horse_videos.htm

Thank you! You have NO (not screaming, promise!) idea how much I apprecaite this! We certainly have the flat walk down, but what I find VERY interesting is that, if you look at the show canter, that's how her flat walks starts out. It's like a little "jump", for a lack of better terms. Oh boy, am I ever ready to get back in the saddle today! :) :) :) :)

[WashingtonBay]

Debbie, I'd do some google searching for gaited horse riding clubs in Indiana. I am sure there are some. You need to hang out, in person, with some gaited folk, and ride with them. They may even be able to hook you up with some lessons from someone who has some experience with gaited horses.

It would sure help a lot to shorten the learning curve.

[Debbie]

[quote=FrogInABlender;43619]Is there a gravel driveway or parking area or someplace with a harder surface where you could work her for little while?

Frog and Gait07, these video clips are wonderful! And, I can't thank you enough! Sheez was I getting frustraited. We have a long gravel road to the stable that we're allowed to use. It's only about 20° today, but cold doesn't matter when you can actually see the possibilities! Ok, now here's the polly anna in me...I have every intention of having the BEST dang horse in the stable by spring! Howz that for a daydream :) :) :) :) :) :)

[walkinthewalk]

[quote=FrogInABlender;43619]Is there a gravel driveway or parking area or someplace with a harder surface where you could work her for little while?

Frog and Gait07, these video clips are wonderful! And, I can't thank you enough! Sheez was I getting frustraited. We have a long gravel road to the stable that we're allowed to use. It's only about 20° today, but cold doesn't matter when you can actually see the possibilities! Ok, now here's the polly anna in me...I have every intention of having the BEST dang horse in the stable by spring! Howz that for a daydream :) :) :) :) :) :)
She will be the best one in the stable regardless because you will do everything possible to bring her along to be the best she is capable of. Whatever that level turns out to be.

I say that because I have four of the most handsome-well mannered horses in Middle Tennesee ---- possibly the entire state of Tennessee----- possibly anywhere East of the Mississippi:clap::cheers::clap:

Each horse has their own personality, heart and work ethic. I could never expect my other three to measure up to Duke, the horse in my avatar. It is an impossible feat because he truly is a perfect horse for ME.

All I expect from the others is for them to give every effort to reach THEIR full potential for my particular needs.

Once they do that, they then become "the best one in the stable". That's how all four of my horses might possibly be "the best and most handsome of them all" East of the Mississippi.

I hope that made sense --- I can be really lousy at getting my thoughts across - lol lol

[FrogInABlender]

... We have a long gravel road to the stable that we're allowed to use. It's only about 20° today, but cold doesn't matter when you can actually see the possibilities! Ok, now here's the polly anna in me...I have every intention of having the BEST dang horse in the stable by spring! Howz that for a daydream :) :) :) :) :) :)

WOO HOO!! Glad to be of service! A long gravel driveway ought to work out great. Long, straight, flat stretches are the best places in the world to get a gaited horse to find his "groove". You can put them in gear and hold them there and both of you can get the feel of it, and you can hear it when you've got it right. The sound of a good even gait kinda reminds me of an old timey coal-fired steam engine, moving on down the track ... Chuga...Chuga...Chuga...Chuga. It's music to my ears!

I'd try to work on it as often as possible, even if it's just a few minutes a day. The more they do it the better they get at it, and you're building up muscle and stamina at the same time. The first video is probably an 8mph gait. The 2nd one is probably closer to 5mph. All of my bunch can hold that speed (or faster) for miles at a time. It's a blast! So good luck, and Have fun! :)

[Debbie]

[quote=Debbie;43817]

I say that because I have four of the most handsome-well mannered horses in Middle Tennesee ---- possibly the entire state of Tennessee----- possibly anywhere East of the Mississippi:clap::cheers::clap:
I hope that made sense --- I can be really lousy at getting my thoughts across - lol lol

:hysterical:Oh no, you made yourself perfectly clear! Walkin', I'm telling you, it was AWESOME! Stable owner finally came out and told me to bring her in, that he felt we might be doing too much at once, but wow, talk about incredible memories coming back while we rode. Even went back to my first pony, and I hated that mean little schitt!!!

[Debbie]

I'd try to work on it as often as possible, even if it's just a few minutes a day. The more they do it the better they get at it, and you're building up muscle and stamina at the same time. The first video is probably an 8mph gait. The 2nd one is probably closer to 5mph. All of my bunch can hold that speed (or faster) for miles at a time. It's a blast! So good luck, and Have fun! :)

Thank so much! For a while I was missing my gelding and wishing I hadn't sold him. I'll always miss him, but I just can't afford two horses at this time. We're gonna' keep doing this until the ice sets in. It was TOO incredible!!!

[HaveFaith]

That's how I was when I first "got it". You know it when it's right. It's a great feeling and just gets better & better the more you ride them. I'm so happy you are pleased with her.

[Debbie]

That's how I was when I first "got it". You know it when it's right. It's a great feeling and just gets better & better the more you ride them. I'm so happy you are pleased with her.

Thank you Faith. Gosh, what a day! I'm gonna' do just like Clinton Anderson says and pour myself a drink and relax. Then I'm waiting for Tommy Garland's show at 9 on RFD, cuz that boy can mess up my bunk house any ol' day lol

Have a wonderful evenning everyone!

[FrogInABlender]

So is this your girl here in your avatar?

http://www.baywindfarm.com/forum/customavatars/avatar315_1.gif (http://www.baywindfarm.com/forum/member.php?u=315)

She's really gorgeous! I love Rockies with a flax mane and tail. Back in the summer I saw a black with a flax mane and tail. Talk about STUNNING! There's no telling how much HE cost though!

[Debbie]

She's really gorgeous! I love Rockies with a flax mane and tail. Back in the summer I saw a black with a flax mane and tail. Talk about STUNNING! There's no telling how much HE cost though!

Yeah, that's my JonnieGirl :) I'm glad you like her. Guess you can tell I'm crazy in love with her, huh? You can find her daddy, Dakota, at http://www.minixmtnhorses.com
The breeder has been seriously ill this past year, so we don't keep in touch like we use to. Hence my need for help from y'all.

HaveFaith, I notice you're in 'Bama. Do you happen to know a town by the name of Section?

Headed out now. Have a super day everyone!

[HaveFaith]

Yes, Frog and I live about 7 miles apart.

Section is more Northeastern and we are in the NW corner closer to the Florence/Muscle Shoals area. We have a friend in Blountsville, which is just on the other side of Cullman, more Northcentral. We're always looking for new people to ride with if you know someone.

I agree, your horse is beautiful. One of the "Old Farts" (can I say that?) rides Rocky Mountain horses that color. They are really smooth when he gets some miles on them.

[walkinthewalk]

HaveFaith, I e-mailed a gal down in Mississippi with gaited horses because she has the same "can't find" issues as you do in terms of vets, good trimmers & farriers, etc.

In case he does travel extensively and in case you might want to have a chiro examine your mare, here's what she sent me back:cowboy:

"---- The chiro that I found was on the coast...and I'm not sure if he travels that much or not. Here's his website though, just in case ya'll want to contact him and see... "

http://www.theanimalcracker.com/

[Debbie]

Yes, Frog and I live about 7 miles apart.

Section is more Northeastern
I agree, your horse is beautiful. One of the "Old Farts" (can I say that?) rides Rocky Mountain horses that color. They are really smooth when he gets some miles on them.

:pWell, I guess you CAN say that lol! Just hope that ol' gas passer isn't my nephew, who lives in Section! Isn't that wild? What a small world. My wonderful hubby asked if I'd think about trailering (is that a word?) to Section, but it's a 14 hour drive without pulling a trailer, let alone a horse. He just doesn't get it that a bump in the road in Indiana isn NOT a mountain like in TN. He is too funny!

Actually, I was having a vanity moment when I added JonnieGirl's pic. Didn't think I'd be sticking around since most forums seem to flame before your eyes over little or nothing. So glad I found this cyber spot, and thank you to everyone!

[HaveFaith]

Nah, all the "old f ts" live within a few miles of me. One night there were 16 of us that went on a night ride. The woman friend that lives in Blountsville is 50. We just call them that "lovingly" and they are 65 and over. They are great fun to ride with and keep something going back and forth all the time. It's great that they accepted a 52 yo woman to ride with. Hubby rides with them, too, but even when he was hunting last year they would come get me and take me riding with them. They have taught me a WHOLE lot about horses in general and gaits. When I first started riding again after 18 years (on trotting horses) I went with them and they would take off up and down big hills and creek banks and off through the woods without a trail. I was behind Jimmy on his big mule and hollered, "Hey, Jimmy, I don't think my horse can do that!" He just laughed and said, "Yeah, she can, just hold on." What choice did I have? My horses can go pretty much anywhere a horse can go now, and I just hold on, but I'm not scared out of my wits anymore.

Walkinthewalk,
That's sweet of you to try to find out about the vet. We're a long way from Miss. Gulf Coast.
I did ride her today after she got reshod Thurs. and she was better. I didn't even have to use my knees as shock absorbers hardly. I didn't know it till Frog picked me up, but she was in heat. It was too late to get out a different horse. She flirted shamelessly with the Blountsville gals gelding behind her all day. We rode 11 miles or so and had a great time.
A friend of "Blountsville" came and rode another guys horse he had for sale. He'd never ridden a gaited horse, but I think he liked it so much he's gonna buy her. We must have sold him on the glide ride, too.

[walkinthewalk]

"He'd never ridden a gaited horse, but I think he liked it so much he's gonna buy her. We must have sold him on the glide ride, too. "
And so the saying goes, "Ride One Today, Own One Tomorrow" :cowboy::cowboy:

[Debbie]

Your friends sound like wonderful people, but then again, most folks from the south are :) I don't know about that ol' mule though. Think that would have scared the kickers right off me! We got a little rain this morning. Hoping there's a few puddles around the stable where I can work my girl. She's still convinced that there's an alligator hiding in water just waiting for her. Have a super day!

[FrogInABlender]

Your friends sound like wonderful people, but then again, most folks from the south are :) I don't know about that ol' mule though. Think that would have scared the kickers right off me!...

Jimmy's a hoot. Here's a pic of him and his gaited mule Dot. She's a REALLY good mule.
If she can get a toe-hold, she can climb it...
http://www.baywindfarm.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=148&pictureid=2857

And one of him and another of TheOldFarts hamming it up on a different ride.
Life is nothing if not interesting when you go riding with them...
http://www.baywindfarm.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=148&pictureid=2862

[HaveFaith]

Yep! And his 8 year old granddaughter rides her. She a GAITED mule, too. That's the only way to go.

[Debbie]

I LOVE the pics! He looks like a good ol' boy, that's for sure :) A little further south of us, they are breeding gaited mules, but no one up this way seems to know a thing about them.

If y'all don't mind, here goes another question about training. A friend just sent an email with an article written by Brenda Imus. Has to do with pacing horses. Not that I have that issue, but I do enjoy learning just for self improvment. Friend is suggesting that I subscribe to their newsletter. I kinda' sorta' got the feeling that a few people here are not a big fan of hers, and I was wondering why?

[Buckpoco]

Debbie-
I've read articles by her and she generally advocates her shanked bit as being the way to ride..I know too many good trainers who say a snaffle is fine. I bought her bit and it's hanging in the barn and I use a Myler snaffle. The horse is much happier.

Also, her saddle is the only one that will work.

She also explained to someone on line the footfalls of a canter and explained it "bass-ackwards" Someone called her on it- but I'm not sure she really knows how the legs move and this was just an ordinary canter!!!

It couldn't hurt to get info from her but you'll probably find other more knowledgeable people.

[Joey A]

I don't know anything about the theory and practice of Brenda Imus, but I have the Imus bit, and the general consensus around here between me and the horses is.... JUNK!!! Crappy feel and poor fit, I used it three times and literally took it off my bridle and THREW it into the back of my tack shed. For all I know it's still there, laying with the torn flymasks and old saddle blankets,

I use a "long shank walking horse bit" once they've graduated from an argentine. $10 a piece when you buy 12 at a time on Horse.com, we give them away when we sell a horse that's broke to one. I start them in a snaffle though, my half cheek is my favorite. I usually give them about 6 months of solid training before starting them on the shank though it's ALOT of bit and I am cautious about who I let use one on one of my horses. The horses will tell you really quick if you are too heavy handed with it, and I will ask the rider to dismount and switch bits.

[Joey A]

I'm gonna be at my aunts for Thanksgiving, I'm gonna try to load a video on my photobucket while I'm there. (she has DSL, we have....d....i....a....l....-....u....p....)

[HaveFaith]

Some of the advice I read on her site about the feet/shoes was backwards to both the trainer/farriers of gaited horses I've talked to. They are probably the most respected in the Tenn/AL area. They pretty much agreed with each other without knowing it.

[gaited07]

I posted this on another thread but it also applies here. Take note on the Brenda Imus at the end.


There are a few that I would like to recommend;

Diane Gueck's videos ( nationalbridleshop.com ) Her Videos go into more description of the gaits.
Larry Whitesell DVD ( google Larry Whitesell or check on Ebay) More of a training for suppleness,softness, rounding/collection.
Clinton Anderson gaited horse DVD (same as above, google for site or ebay, be careful of bootleg copies) same description as Larry Whitesell's but in more details.

As for Brenda Imus, unless she changed her format, her video was very vage in content and left a lot of questions.

Again, I stress that you don't need any special shoes, saddles, bits, or etc to ride a gaited horse.
I will use all the information on all trainers/clinicians and find what works for me and my horses needs.
Good luck and hope Santa brings you a few good videos;)
Last edited by gaited07 (http://www.baywindfarm.com/forum/posthistory.php?p=44629); 11-22-2008 at 03:10 PM.
http://www.baywindfarm.com/forum/images/styles/beige/statusicon/user_online.gif http://www.baywindfarm.com/forum/images/styles/beige/buttons/report.gif (http://www.baywindfarm.com/forum/report.php?p=44629) http://www.baywindfarm.com/forum/images/styles/beige/buttons/edit.gif (http://www.baywindfarm.com/forum/editpost.php?do=editpost&p=44629) http://www.baywindfarm.com/forum/images/styles/beige/misc/progress.gif
http://www.baywindfarm.com/forum/images/styles/beige/buttons/quote.gif (http://www.baywindfarm.com/forum/newreply.php?do=newreply&p=44629) http://www.baywindfarm.com/forum/images/styles/beige/buttons/multiquote_off.gif (http://www.baywindfarm.com/forum/newreply.php?do=newreply&p=44629) http://www.baywindfarm.com/forum/images/styles/beige/buttons/quickreply.gif (http://www.baywindfarm.com/forum/newreply.php?do=newreply&p=44629)

[Debbie]

Well, thank you all again for being so forthcoming. I sure don't need more junk tack, let alone more DVD's that...well...you know. I'd purchased Morgan Rhodes set of 3 DVD's Not that they were all that pricey, but they sure are generic. I noticed that WahingtonBay is asking us to use the advertising on the forum to help support this site, so I'll take a look-see at Amazon to see what they have to offer first. Thanks again, and hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving :)

[Joey A]

Just an fyi, don't just go to the website. You have to click through one of the ads on the forum for it to count. You actually get directed to a "coded" webpage that is specific to the website you gained entry through. (That's what all those extra numbers at the end of the address on the browser are for.)

[Debbie]

Thanks! I was nearly certain that's how it worked, but it always helps to have it confirmed.

Today was a brat attack day for JonnieGirl, but she snapped out of it right quick when I gave her a good kick. Got her attention REAL quick, then we moved forward to something more positive.