Search
Archives
Home
Columns
Forums
Departments
eBooks
Links
So Many Folks ask me . . .  What is so different about Gaited Horses? and What is a “Gaited Horse”?

All horses have gaits but when we refer to a horse as “gaited” we usually mean one that has smooth gaits without a free fall beat such as the trot or pace.

So the answer I offer is that a “Gaited Horse” is a horse that moves with at least one foot on the ground at all times.

Few people ever forget their first experience riding a gaited horse.  It is truly delightful and relaxing to enjoy the beauty of the countryside from the back of any fine horse.  But the smooth way of going of the gaited breeds allow us the ability to ride all day and dance all night.

So, once you decide to purchase a gaited horse, it is very important to take the time to go out and ride several different breeds.  For your safety, be sure to ride only properly trained and well-gaited horses.  A good way to do this is to take lessons from a Certified Gaited Riding Instructor on a well trained gaited “Lesson Master”.  A finished horse that is trained to accept a beginner rider is called a “Lesson Master”.  

It is important for you to gain the knowledge and body memory of the basic gaits.  This will enable you to make an informed decision about what gait is best for you and your body type. Most folks find that they favor one type of four beat gait over another and it will be a great advantage for you to understand what is comfortable for you as you begin your search for a horse of your own. 

The way to get the Gait you want is to know what it is and how it feels!

Gait Description:   (Let’s just stick to the basics!)

The Flat Walk is a four beat long, low lilting motion that gives the rider a smooth, sweeping sensation similar to dancing a Waltz with a really great partner.  It is considered a Lateral Gait which refers to the way weight is transferred from back leg to front leg on the right side, then back leg to front leg on the left side.  The horse looks like he is walking in back and “running” in front. The Running Walk is a faster, more animated version of the Flat Walk, the footfall sequence and weight transference is the same.

The Fox Trot is a Diagonal Gait. This four beat footfall is created when the horse transfers his weight from left hind to right fore, then left fore simultaneously with the right hind.  (The diagonal fore takes the weight from the hind a split second before the lateral fore hits the ground.)  The Fox Trot is smooth in a slightly different way and folks often say that it feels like doing the Rumba in the saddle.

This is “bare-bones” information to get you started.  There are multiple lateral and diagonal four-beat variations of footfall, timing and weight transference that most well-bred gaited horses perform naturally.  Worldwide, there are more than seventy breeds of gaited horses. 

As your interest and knowledge grows, you will assuredly find plenty of fascinating and perplexing books, DVDs, diagrams, graphs and other training material on the intricacies of gait.  You may even find it a stimulating subject to bring up around the camp fire with other gaited and non-gaited riders.

When Buying your first Gaited Horse Look for Mature, Talented and as Finished as your pocketbook will allow.

An adult horse with several years under saddle that is "set" in his gaits is a better choice and a much smoother beginning for the rider just discovering the easy-gaited breeds.  Do consider purchasing a sound horse in good health in his teenage years. Older horses can often be more forgiving and can provide years of pleasurable companionship on the trail as well as an easy introduction to easy gaited riding.  Many times the horse that has been well cared for by a single owner over a long period of time is a good prospect.

It is the rare five year old horse of any breed that is perfectly set in his gaits and timing.  If this is your very first gaited experience, insist on a horse that does not require daily schooling to maintain gait.
Unfinished gaited horses often require the skills of a trainer to develop and keep them in proper cadence.  It can take years of consistent training for a horse to develop the muscle groups to maintain gait under a rider’s weight.

That said:  if you have a talent for training young horses and are up to the challenge, starting a gaited prospect is much the same as training a horse that trots.  The gaited youngsters require the same amount of patience and sequential application of aids as any other horse.

“He’s gaited . . . but he’s still a Horse!”

Some General Rules That Apply to All Horse Purchases

Number one rule when riding horses in any situation:

“NEVER  GET ON  A  HORSE  YOU  HAVE  NOT  SEEN  SOMEONE  ELSE  RIDE  SUCCESSFULLY ! “

If the seller won't or can't ride him, why should you risk it?!

It is an exciting time when you find yourself searching for that perfect trail buddy.  Ladies often say it is like looking for the perfect spouse and that's a good way to think about it.  Focus on exactly what you want in a horse and stick to your resolve. 

Patience is your best friend in this journey.  It is a difficult road to walk down when all your friends are passing you by at a canter.  But, getting back in the saddle also requires keeping yourself safe during the selection process.  Hold onto your wits through all the anticipation as you visit farms and barns looking for the perfect horse.

This is worth repeating:  If the seller won't ride him or cannot provide a willing individual to ride and demonstrate what the horse can do, my advice is to walk away.

And never mind what they say about the horse. 

Always think safety first!  Life is too short to risk any injury or danger to you or your loved ones while trying to ride a bad or questionable prospect.  Resulting injuries could limit your ability to ride and enjoy the company of a good horse. 

Even when the seller does ride the horse, if you don't like what you see or if you just get a creepy feeling about the whole situation, walk away! And make no apologies!

When you arrive to evaluate a potential new mount, pay close attention to how the seller handles the horse and the way the horse responds. 

Ground manners are of utmost importance and lay the foundation for communication under saddle.  One example:  if the horse is not respectful and walks all over the current owner, that horse is going think you are a doormat, too.  In this case, the horse’s former handler has taught him that people are below him on the pecking order.  Don't consider a horse of this nature unless you have the skill and desire to re-train him.

Many different cultures exist in the horse world and sometimes the best and most harmonious transfers of ownership occur between buyers and sellers of similar background and practice. In other words, if you are looking for a quiet trail prospect, don't expect to find Mr. Perfect in a barn where Barrel Racing is a regular Saturday night event. But if a Western Trail and Obstacle Course Champion is retired from the show ring and goes up for sale, you may have hit pay dirt.

Registration Papers:  All things equal, the registered prospect gets my vote.  Papers on a horse can tell you a lot about where he came from and where he’s been.  It is just like a birth certificate, the horse’s birth place, birth date,   breeding, the name of the breeder is listed.  Usually, each former owner also appears in chronological order allowing you to track and research his foundation bloodlines and subsequent training and experience. 

Registered versus Non-Registered

It is true that you “can’t ride papers”, but if he is registered, take a good look at the papers before you purchase a horse.  If they indicate that he has changed owners frequently, it is a good idea to take the time to make some calls to those former owners.  Try to learn as much information about the horse as possible to help you with your decision making process.

You may find that your perfect horse is not registered and that’s just fine.  Be aware that without “papers” horses are frequently not allowed to compete in certain breed exhibits and shows. However, if you do decide to show your unregistered horse, there are many “open” competitions that include all breeds and multiple disciplines.

Other things to consider when buying a horse:
•Temperament, Talent and Training should be considered top priorities.
•“Pretty is as Pretty does!” If you fall in love with a pretty face that may be all you wind up with.
•Don’t show up to look at a new horse for the first time with an empty trailer.
•Pre-purchase Veterinary Exams are worth every penny and can save you big bucks down the line.
•Horses live a long time and are expensive to maintain so buy as perfect a match to your needs as you can find.
•“Green and Green makes Black and Blue”.  If you are new to horses, purchase an older, well trained horse.  Youngsters are best left to seasoned, experienced horsemen.

•“It’s easier to buy than it is to sell!”.











by Julie Dillon
GOING Gaited
ONLINE
for gaited horse enthusiasts
When the going gets rough...go gaited!
MAGAZINE
GOING Gaited
Tell a friend about this page
Like this article? Send it to a friend!
Tell a friend about this page
Curly
WALKALOOSA
June, 2010
FEATURING:
FEATURING:
The
Follow us on Facebook
f