Monthly Archives: March 2013

Overcoming Riding Fear

A Gift of Freedom

A Gift of Freedom

Galloping through an open field feeling a sense of freedom is something that I have always longed to do, yet paralyzing riding fear had imprisoned me.

A Gift of Freedom

By Jennifer Klitzke

My Tennessee walking horse mare was a Valentine’s Day gift from my husband in 2007. (Well, actually, I pleaded with him for two weeks when he buckled on Valentine’s Day and said, “Okay!”) She came with the registered name “Gift of Freedom” which is ironically symbolic. You’ll know what I mean in a moment.

My first pony

As a child, I rode my spring-loaded plastic pony through the wild, wild West of my imagination. We galloped through the open plains joyful and carefree.

I dreamed for the day of owning a horse. Then 24 years later a friend said to me, “Jennifer, you’re going say ‘Someday I’ll buy a horse’ for the rest of your life. You need to do it or your ‘someday’ will never come.”

She was right, so that’s what I did. I saved enough money for my first horse and decades later, I think I’m more horse-crazy than ever! Bringing horses into my life was one of the best decisions I have ever made.

I was born for this.

Horseman Buck Brannaman says, “Horses are a mirror to your soul,” and I’ve found that to be true. I believe that God has used horses to expose the broken and misguided pieces of my life. Once I courageously acknowledge my need for healing and work through these broken areas, God has blessed me with a gift of freedom.

In fact, my first gift of freedom came around Easter 1996.

Leading up to this, horses had become a god of sorts. Horses were my source of life, my source of purpose, and my source of identity. Anytime horses fell short of the god-role I had placed them in, I became more demanding, and perfectionism replaced what once had been a harmonious partnership.

Then whenever my horse did anything where I felt out of control, hyper-ventilating panic attacks consumed me. I became so imprisoned in paralyzing fear that I only felt safe riding on a 10-meter circle, traveling to the left, on a calm day, with no distractions, in an indoor arena, at a slow walk.

Then one day I faced a crossroads: Either quit riding horses, what I was born for, or face the fear in humility, with courage and an open mind in hopes of overcoming it.

Yes, Brannaman’s words ring true, “Horses are a mirror to your soul.”

I am thankful that horses humbled me to realize they were not meant to be my source of life, God is.

Horses are a gift from God—not a god. I believe God allowed my crossroads experience to ultimately find what I had been searching for— an identity, a purpose, and meaning for life, which I found in Jesus Christ, “the Way, the Truth, and the Life, and the only way to the Father.”

Not only that, but God has also given me the courage to face my fears and overcome them. Through dialogues of prayer and perseverance, God has given me a gift of freedom to do what I never imagined I would be doing with horses.

Today, I am enjoying many adventures I only dreamed of doing with my naturally gaited Tennessee walking horse, Gift of Freedom. We are riding in the beauty of nature outside the four walls of an arena, participating in endurance rides, moving cows in sorting leagues, gymnastic jumping, and more.  All without the straps of fear.

I’ve learned riding horses isn’t about controlling them when I am afraid. It is about humbly seeking God for strength, receiving His grace to persevere, learning to become a relaxed and confident leader with my horse, and building a trusted partnership.

Enjoy your journey!

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Gaited Horse Training, Tips for the Gaited Horse

Thoughts about the Imus Comfort Bit

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Thoughts about the Imus Comfort Bit

Coming from decades of dressage with trotting horses, riding exclusively in snaffle bits, a curb bit was just as foreign to me as a head-shaking, ear flopping, and teeth clicking flat walk.

Thoughts about the Imus Comfort Bit

By Jennifer Klitzke

It had only been weeks after acquiring my first smooth gaited horse when I came to the 2007 MN Horse Expo. In my quest for knowledge, I learned that Brenda Imus would be teaching clinics about natural and humane training methods for smooth gaited horses like my Tennessee walking horse.

Meeting Brenda Imus

I hustled to the training arena where Brenda would be coaching several demonstration riders with their naturally gaited horses. Impressed with her kind and humane training methods, I followed her back to her booth to purchase her DVD “Gaits from God.” You see, I had just purchased my first naturally gaited horse, yet, the smooth gait would be something I would need to develop. It isn’t something that just automatically happens just because she is naturally gaited.

Brenda’s DVD included the helpful information I was searching for to improve smooth gait with an added bonus. It provided insights on various bits, both curbs and snaffles.

Does a bit make a difference in how a horse moves?

The Effect a Bit has on a Horse

In the DVD “Gaits from God,” Brenda describes the action various bits have on the horse. Some bits pinch the lips and tongue which causes pain. Some curb bits have too much leverage. Both pain and too much leverage negatively impact a horse’s natural smooth gait. Pain and tension lead to pace in the naturally gaited horse.

Then Brenda described how the Imus Comfort Bit was designed to alleviate pain and tension. She demonstrated the effect a traditional Walking horse curb bit had on a naturally gaited Walking horse. Then the same horse was show being ridden with the Imus Comfort Bit.

Pain reaction vs bit acceptance

When the TWH was ridden in the traditional Walking horse curb bit, the horse threw its head up with each head nod in pain reaction vs. relaxation and bit acceptance. Its movement was pacey. With the Imus Comfort Bit, the same TWH moved fluid, relaxed and loose through its body, and its head nod was dramatic and pain free.

Impressed with the before and after difference, I had to try the Imus Comfort Bit with my naturally gaited Tennessee walking horse. Right away, I was simply amazed with how much better my Walking horse rode in it. Her head nod was deeper, freer and straighter; her ears flopped consistently, and I even heard an occasional click of her teeth. She was relaxed and responsive with a light contact. She even spooks less when I ride in the Imus Comfort Bit, so I felt safer.

flat walk with Imus Comfort Bit

The only downside I can think of is that the Imus Comfort Bit is not a recognized dressage bit. However, it is perfect for trail riding and rail class breed shows.

For more about the Imus Comfort Bit, visit: PhoenixRisingSaddles.

Video: Imus Comfort Bit in action at the Minnesota Horse Expo Tennessee Walking Horse demonstration

I hope this is helpful. Let me know your thoughts by sending a message.

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Dressage for the Gaited Horse, The Versatile Gaited Horse

Naturally Walkin’ in Wonderland

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walkin in wonderland

By Jennifer Klitzke

Naturally Walkin’ in Wonderland

I live in the frozen tundra where the winter’s cold and dark imprisons us for up to six months. No indoor arena. No deep pockets to travel South. If I want me and Makana my naturally gaited Tennessee walking horse to stay in shape, I have to get creative.

Winter riding is not new to me, but using the snow to improve and condition my horse’s naturally smooth gaits is a new concept. The snow has encouraged my gaited horse to lift her shoulders and engage from behind, so much so that I now know what the rocking chair canter feels like. I’m hoping that winter riding will ingrain muscle memory in Makana and for me, the “feel” of the rocking chair canter.

The snow has also introduced Makana and me to the Tennessee trot. Yes, I know that I’m crossing the thresh holds of taboo, but I believe that my Walking Horse is established enough in her naturally smooth four-beat gaits to develop another gait on cue.  So adding to the free walk, medium walk, flat walk, running walk, canter and counter-canter, we are tackling the trot. After all, I’ve enjoyed 25 years of riding traditional dressage horses, so trot is a welcomed gait. I believe that as long as the trot is trained on cue, it will not disrupt Makana’s naturally smooth four-beat gaits.

My cues for flat walk and trot

For flat walk and running walk, I encourage Makana to lift in the shoulders, and I follow her head nod with a light rein contact. At the same time, I lighten myself in the saddle by distributing my weight into my thighs. This allows Makana to neutralize instead of hollow her back.

For trot, I hold my weight in my thighs and hug my calves through the upward transition while holding a light steady contact with the reins. This holding the reins with a steady contact discourages the head nod and encourages the trot. Then I post instead of sit each trot step. Every stretch of trot on cue is followed up with flat walk and canter.

Not only is riding in the snow an utter blast, but it has been a good workout for both me and Makana (especially the posting trot). Who knows, if I can develop Makana’s trot on cue in and out of the snow, nothing will stop us from entering the traditional dressage shows!

Remember, dressage is more than trot (but gaited horses can learn trot on cue, too, and it won’t ruin their naturally smooth gait!)

Video: Walkin’ in Wonderland

What are your thoughts? Please reach out send me a message or stay connected by subscribing to the Naturally Gaited youtube channel and joining our community on facebook.com/naturallygaited.