All posts by Jennifer Klitzke

Gaited Horse Training

Starting an Unbroke Gaited Horse

Introducing communication with a snaffle bit

I finally found a young gaited horse. Just where do I start with training? How fast do I bring the horse along? What age is best for starting a gaited horse under saddle?

Here’s my story…

It has been a thrill getting to know my three-year-old Tennessee Walking Horse/Spotted Saddle Horse gelding, Marvel. He’s been at my place for a few weeks. In this time, I’ve come to know Marvel as an observant, curious, bold, friendly, intelligent, sensitive, responsive, expressive, humorous, and game for anything (so far anyway) youngster.

Some horses make me smile! (Okay, maybe all horses, but some make me laugh!)

Trailering Home

Back to the day we picked Marvel up. He had never been in a trailer. Opportunity #1: starting an unbroke gaited horse. We planned to take our time. Relaxation was the key. No pulling or forcing. Just asking and rewarding.

We tried many approaches to trailer loading:

  • Loading his dam into the trailer since Marvel had a great relationship with her
  • Leading Marvel into the trailer by walking ahead of him to give him confidence
  • Walking next to him and letting him walk himself
  • Encouraging Marvel to lower his head and neck and sniff the ramp, and placing one foot on the ramp and rewarding him; then placing his other front foot on the ramp and rewarding him; we got stalled there
  • Taking a big loop and walking forward into the trailer
  • Using a crop to encourage forwardness into the trailer; the crop was new to him, so I clucked first; if no response, I clucked and tapped on his hindquarter and as soon as he stepped forward I ceased the cluck and tap
  • Using a lunge line behind and around him to encourage him into the trailer
  • Bringing down the energy, using grain as a motivator, and step by step, slowly and surely that did the trick. It seemed that Marvel had to choose for himself to load into the trailer. He wasn’t going to BE loaded. So trailer loading will be something to work on at home.
  • Once loaded, Marvel trailered quietly for his journey to his new home

Breaking a Horse or Starting a Horse

Okay, so after a few weeks. Is Marvel broke yet? In what way? For me as a passionate dressage rider/trainer, there are many steps along the way to being broke. I am fortunate in that Marvel was family raised from birth, just like Makana, my naturally gaited Tennessee walking horse mare. To me, being handled since birth makes training easier.

At three, Marvel has a short attention span. Knowing his personality, his age, and stage of training, I like starting a gaited horse by breaking it down into simple 10-minute sessions of learning until we are both ready for the time my seat meets the saddle.

Starting a gaited horse begins with many introductions.

Introducing Marvel to:

  • His new home and new friends over the fence
  • Where the water is
  • Coming into the barn at feeding time and into a stall
  • Getting acclimated to the herd and establishing the pecking order
  • Coming when called
  • Being free lunged
  • Being haltered and led
  • Being cross tied
  • Letting me trim his feet
  • Being bridled
  • Learning to accept snaffle bit contact and follow the hands
Marvel at his new home with his new friends (though he matches perfectly!)

Then Marvel learned about being cross tied.

And Marvel experienced being bridled for the first time.

Introducing the Bridle

I introduced the bridle to Marvel in the same way I have with every horse I have worked with. Watch this short video about bridling a horse the easy way.

10-23-21. In this video, an unbroke 3-year-old gaited horse, a TWH / SSH, gets an introduction to the bit and basic flexions.

Once bridled, I began teaching balance, relaxation, flexions side to side, and neck extension. These exercises teach him to accept and follow a light snaffle bit contact and to stretch his outside neck muscles and top line. All of these exercises will be transferred to the saddle one day.

11-14-21: In this video, an unbroke 3-year-old gaited horse, a TWH / SSH, learns the next phase of flexions that introduce following contact.
Teaching the horse balance and not to lean on the hands of the rider.

Neck extensions to the side teach the horse to follow the contact out and down and stretch the outside neck muscles.

Relationship of Relaxation

For me, building a relationship of relaxation with Marvel is the number one most important priority right now. I want to help Marvel look to me as a trusted leader. I learned early on with Makana at gaited horsemanship clinics with Larry Whitesell, that a horse will look to the rider for leadership, and if the horse doesn’t trust that leadership, it will take matters unto its own and fight or flight.

In addition to introductions to the cross ties and bridle, I began free lunging Marvel in the round pen both directions; yielding the haunches, encouraging him to turn towards me and halt.

Examples of building relationship through communication:

  • Creating a relationship that encourages relaxation (mind and body) no matter the distractions around us
  • Being aware of where his attention is while we are together and using create ways to draw his attention back to me
  • Establishing consistent body language and verbal cues are important while I work with him
  • Becoming aware of Marvel’s response to my request and body language; do I need to increase or decrease the ask with my levels of excitement or sense of calm to either motivate or relax and reward him

Marvel is so keen, aware, and sensitive to my body language. This is telling to how he will be under saddle. I have been training horses using dressage for over thirty years and have started a couple youngsters Marvel’s age.

How long will it take before my seat reaches the saddle? Not soon enough if you ask me, but I am only half the relationship. Some people start young horses at the end of their second year, give them the winter off and begin saddle training at three. Others wait until the horse is physically more mature and start them at four. Marvel turned three in June. Since I just brought him home, I want Marvel to be physically ready, for us to have a solid relationship of communication, and both of us to be mentally prepared.

lunging a gaited horse
Lunging a gaited horse.

Lunging a Gaited Horse: Our next progression of training including our first seven video sessions from halter to saddle and bridle.

Marvel enjoys following us around
Marvel enjoys following us around. Just look at the hind leg stride difference between Marvel and Lady. I think Marvel will have some nice moves under saddle. What do you think?

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

Visit website: NaturallyGaitedHorse.com
Subscribe: Naturally Gaited youtube channel
Follow: facebook.com/naturallygaitedhorse

Gaited Horse Training

Meet Marvel: Gaited Horse

Meet-Marvel-Canter

Do you have a gaited horse that trots at liberty? Have you wondered if your horse isn’t gaited after all or if trot will ruin the natural smooth gait?

Meet Marvel: Gaited Horse

By Jennifer Klitzke

October 16, 2021: an exciting day. Thanks to a generous donation from a dear friend, Mellums Midnight Marvel, an unbroke, 3-year-old Tennessee Walking Horse / Spotted Saddle Horse gelding arrived to my place. There will be much to share in the coming chapters of Naturally Gaited.

The video below captures Marvels moments upon arrival. As you watch, you may wonder, “If this is a gaited horse, why is it trotting?”

Will Trot Ruin the Smooth Gaited Horse?

Naturally gaited horses commonly trot at liberty. When a gaited horse trots, many fear it will ruin the natural smooth gait. Other believe if the gaited horse trots it doesn’t have a smooth gait. Neither are true as long as the horse possesses the inherited smooth gaits.

Smooth Gaited or Multi Gaited Horse?

Naturally smooth gaited horses are really multi-gaited horses. They have more gears than the walk-trot-canter horses. The key is consistent training to develop the horse’s smooth gaits on cue. That begins with becoming an educated rider. Even if you send your gaited horse to a professional trainer, you’ll still need to become an educated rider in order to produce the smooth gaits the professional trainer taught your horse on cue.

Become an Educated Rider

If you desire to learn how to become an educated rider, there are many instructors and resources available. Choose a style of riding that is suitable for you and your smooth gaited horse. Then find an instructor who teaches that style.

If dressage is your desired method of riding and training, this Naturally Gaited blog can help. It is filled with 12 years of gaited dressage stories, tips, videos, and how-to’s.

Stay tuned as Marvel’s training unfolds.

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

Gaited Horse Training

Next Chapter of Quality Smooth Gaits

I was beginning to wonder if I would be retiring with my smooth gaited horses, Lady and Makana when a few unexpected blessings showed up just in the nick of time. Meet the next chapter of quality smooth gaits.

Here’s my story…

Next Chapter of Quality Smooth Gaits

By Jennifer Klitzke

It’s hard to believe that nearly 15 years have gone by in my smooth gaited dressage journey with Makana, my first naturally gaited horse. She arrived as a three-year-old into the first chapters of Naturally Gaited. Then a few years later came Lady, my grade fox trotting mare. Together we explored that “Dressage is more than Trot” in developing quality smooth gaits.

Why dressage for the gaited horse?

Previous to smooth gaited horses, I had 20 years experience as an avid dressage rider with non-gaited horses that trot. I learned how to develop a balanced riding position and communicate through effective use and timing of leg, rein, weight, and seat aids to lead a horse into relaxation, balance, forward movement without rushing, rhythm, connection, straightness, and collection over time. This process improves the horse’s quality of movement and the full range of motion.

If this is true for non-gaited horses that trot, I believed that dressage would also develop the full range of motion and quality smooth gaits as flat walk, fox trot, and saddle rack. For the naturally gaited horse, this means smoother gaits; longer, deeper strides; and a sounder horse for longer.

The first fifteen years of Naturally Gaited proves this hypothesis: Dressage is more than Trot in developing quality smooth gaits.

While still sound and rideable, Makana and Lady have reached their retirement years. I have enjoyed a remarkable dressage journey with both smooth gaited horses, unique in their own way.

bareback flat walk
Makana, Tennessee walking horse, at 17, ridden bareback and barefoot at a flat walk.
Lady, grade fox trotting mare, 18-20, ridden barefoot.

So what’s next for Naturally Gaited, I thought?

I began pleading with my husband to purchase another gaited horse. He kept saying, “No.” The thought of downsizing and retiring were all to compelling to him.

Retiring?

I’m thinking…I’m too young to retire. I’m too young to retire from training horses. I’m too young to retire from Naturally Gaited. I’ve got another quality smooth gaited generation to raise!

Meanwhile, I check out gaited horses for sale. For my first 30 years of equestrianism, finding a good registered training prospect for under $2,500 was common. Today’s prices are astonishing! Grade gaited horses are priced at double that. Registered gaited horses for sale are triple or more!

At the same time, auctions are full of gaited horses. Many are priced under $1,000. If not sold, they join the tens of thousands placed on trailers to Mexico for slaughter. It breaks my heart.

I seriously looked into saving one of these auction horses, but after the cost of the horse, vetting, 4-6 weeks quarantine, and transportation, I’d be looking at thousands to save a horse I never met. A horse of unknown handling, unknown breeding, unknown temperament, unknown age, unknown health, unknown soundness. Too much risk at too high a cost.

Next step, I applied for adoption with a few reputable rescues who take in gaited horses. I was approved, yet so were many others. The young gaited horses were snapped up as soon as they arrived.

Then a dear friend, fellow horse lover, and a follower of Naturally Gaited, contacted me and desired to contribute towards the adoption of a new horse.

I was beginning to wonder if there would be a horse to adopt?

The riding season was quickly coming to a close. The days growing colder and darker. Would there be a next chapter of quality smooth gaits? Would I be forced into retiring with my gaited horses after all?

Then last week my heart stopped. (In a good way.) I saw an ad for an unbroke Tennessee walking horse gelding. I immediately texted for more information.

After a few text exchanges, I went for a visit the next day. His name is Mellum’s Midnight Marvel, and his price was EXACTLY the amount my friend had on her mind to contribute.

Marvel is a friendly fellow, a curious character, and has striking beauty. I like his balance, his uphill build, how he uses himself, and how he moves.

Meeting Marvel.

Returning home, I couldn’t get Marvel out of my mind. I envisioned him at my place running with my smooth gaited mares, Lady and Makana. I saw him as the next chapters of Naturally Gaited and of quality smooth gaits made possible through dressage.

I pleaded with my husband ONE MORE TIME, and he finally said, “yes” to one more horse.

Sharing the good news with my friend, she said, “God works in mysterious ways.”

Picking Marvel up the next week, the previous owner said, “This was just meant to be.”

Introducing the next chapter of quality smooth gaits: Marvel

Marvel is a curious character and a friendly fellow.

Don’t panic if your gaited horse trots at liberty. Many do and trot does not ruin their natural smooth gait.
Marvel at his new home.

I am humbled with gratitude and thanks for the generous gift from my dear friend that has allowed my naturally gaited journey to continue and for her passion for horses to continue.

Stay tuned as the next chapter of quality smooth gaits unfolds.

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

Dressage for the Gaited Horse

How Dressage Improves Smooth Gaits

Naturally gaited Tennessee Walking Horse Flat Walk
Naturally gaited Tennessee Walking Horse flat walk.

Did you buy a naturally gaited horse and expect a smooth gait? You’re not alone. A lot of gaited horse owners think this, including me. There are a few lucky people who have one, but it wasn’t me. Here’s my story about how dressage improves quality smooth gaits.

After 20 years of dressage study with non-gaited horses and sitting a jarring trot, I learned about naturally gaited horses. Riding a smooth gaited horse that didn’t trot sounded good to my aging body. So, in 2007 I fell in love with a just turning three-year-old Tennessee Walking Horse filly named Makana.

seili first recognized show
Previous to beginning my gaited dressage journey, I had been a dedicated dressage student of trotting horses since 1988 and showed my Trakehner/thoroughbred gelding successfully through Second level dressage.

Smooth did not come easy

It didn’t take long to realize smooth didn’t come easy. Yes, my three-year-old naturally gaited Tennessee Walking Horse was bred for smooth gaits, but it was up to me to help her develop each gait on cue. Just how would I do this when dressage is the only training I knew?

We’d give dressage a try and find out.

Watch: How dressage improves smooth gaits for naturally gaited horses

In this video, I show the progress of how dressage improves smooth gaits with my Tennessee Walking Horse. Over time dressage has improved her full range of motion and quality smooth gaits on cue, in and out of the arena.

Dressage for the Gaited Horse

I’ll never forget what it was like in the beginning. When I would cue my gaited horse for the flat walk, she would take a few steps of stepping pace, flat walk, fox trot and rack, and I had to figure out which smooth gait was the one I had asked for.

Using dressage as our training method, it would take us time to unravel this mish mash of gaits. Dressage became a consistent communication with my horse through my rein, leg, seat, and weight aids as I put cues to each gait.

Over time, dressage helps develop:

  • More relaxation (less mental anxiety and body tension)
  • Better balance (less pre-dominance on the forehand and more evenly on all four legs)
  • Steady rhythm
  • Even tempo and stride length
  • Forward movement without rushing
  • Stretch and strengthen my horse’s top line muscles
  • Depth of stride under the body mass
  • Connection between me and my horse through my rein, leg and seat aids
  • Greater symmetry and flexibility traveling left and right
  • Pushing power and carrying strength

A Head Nodding Horse?

In addition to forming consistent communication and putting cues to smooth gaits, I had to figure out how to ride a head nodding flat walk with a light even snaffle bit contact.

Dressage requires riding with even, steady contact using a snaffle bit. I knew I would need to earn my naturally gaited Tennessee Walking Horse’s trust with her mouth and my hands in order for her to accept contact with the bit.

What about Bit Acceptance?

Bit acceptance is a lot easier riding a trotting horse whose head and neck remain stationary. Following a head nodding horse is not so easy at the flat walk, running walk, and fox trot. How would I maintain a steady, even rein contact while my Tennessee Walking Horse nodded her head and neck with each step? This was a big question I wrestled with as we began our training using dressage.

Where do you learn dressage for the gaited horse?

There weren’t many dressage instructors in my area and no one in my state who taught dressage for the gaited horse. I read books, watched videos, and attended clinics whenever gaited horse experts traveled to my area.

Jennie Jackson dressage for the gaited horse clinic
Attending a Dressage for the Gaited Horse Clinic with Jennie Jackson.

Combining 20 years of dressage lessons with non-gaited horses and the few gaited dressage clinics I rode at; I began to ride my gaited horse with greater awareness of cause and effect. This helped me develop a greater feel for when it felt right and when I needed to make a correction. I listened for the regularity of foot falls and watched the head and neck motion.

Then I began to capture video of our rides. I’d slow down the video frames which confirmed whether or not what I felt while riding my gaited horse and heard from the saddle was aligned with the instruction I had been receiving. Video became a helpful tool.

Showing Dressage on a Horse that Doesn’t Trot?

In 2010, I learned of a schooling dressage show not far from my home. I thought it would be a cool way to get feedback from a trained dressage professional about our dressage training. I longed for feedback about our balance, relaxation, connection, engagement, harmony, my riding position, and use of rein, leg, seat and weight aids as we navigated the test requirements at each letter.

I contacted the show manager and asked if I could ride my Tennessee walking horse at a flat walk instead of a trot. The show manager agreed. I never imaged that I’d be back showing dressage on a horse that didn’t trot.

dressage improves smooth gaits showing gaited dressage Training Level
2010: My first dressage show riding a horse that didn’t trot.


Sharing How Dressage Improves Smooth Gaits

Then in 2010, I launched NaturallyGaited.com and began to share how dressage improves smooth gait with others. I have been thrilled to meet others online around the world who are also searching for information about dressage for the gaited horse.

Dressage Improves Quality Smooth Gaits

Over the years, it is clear that dressage improves the quality of smooth gaits on cue with my Tennessee walking horse. Her medium walk, free walk, flat walk, running walk, collected walk, and canter are well established now.

dressage with gaited horse
Showing dressage with a horse that doesn’t trot.
Learn more: Tips on Riding a Gaited Dressage Test

Dressage is an On-the-Go Versatile Language

My naturally gaited Tennessee walking horse and I have met many people since we began this gaited dressage journey. These fun-loving people have broadened our versatility and dressage has been the consistent language that travels with us wherever we go and whatever we do together. Whether we are moving cows in team penning events and cow sorting leagues: enjoying the beauty of our State Parks by horseback; endurance rides; orientation events; trail challenges; riding in the snow; stadium jumping; or bareback riding, the same rein, leg, seat and weight aids are used to communicate with my naturally gaited horse to bring about relaxation, balance, rhythm, forward movement without rushing, connection, symmetry, engagement, and a partnership of trust and harmony.

My naturally gaited horse enjoys moving cows more than anything!
Learn more: Gaited Horses and Cows
Riding endurance with a gaited horse.
Learn more: Sisu on the Border Endurance Ride
I began gymnastic jumping with my naturally gaited horse, a Tennessee walking horse, to improve her canter. It was just the ticket and lots of fun, too!
Learn more: Starting a Gaited Horse over Jumps
Naturally gaited Tennessee walking horse flat walk riding bareback and on a loose rein.
Learn more: Gaited Horse Bareback Riding
Trail riding on gaited horse
Enjoying the autumn color on a smooth gaited horse.
Tennessee walking horse flat walk in snow
Riding a smooth gaited horse in the snow is my favorite winter sport!

Dressage has been the common language through the versatility of experiences we are enjoying together!

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

Visit website: NaturallyGaitedHorse.com
Subscribe: Naturally Gaited youtube channel
Follow: facebook.com/naturallygaitedhorse

Balance for Gaited Horses

Flat walk: Head nod up or nod down?

When the naturally gaited horse is in flat walk, does the head nod up-down or down-up? Does it matter?

Here’s my story and a video to go with it.

Flat Walk: Does the Naturally Gaited Horse Head Nod Up-Down or Nod Down-Up?

By Jennifer Klitzke

As I have explored relaxation, rhythm and balance with my naturally gaited Tennessee walking horse, I have wondered, does the head nod up-down down-up? Is there a difference?

In the video below, I share my thoughts on this question with examples of both.

For me, the important distinction between head nod up-down or head nod down-up is whether my horse’s body mass is in balance over all four legs and lifting her chest and wither.

Balanced Flat Walk & Head Nod Up-Down

When my horse is performing a balanced flat walk, the head nod is up-down. It feels like my horse is stepping from behind and under my seat and lifting up through the wither.

The photo above shows a head up-down in a balanced flat walk. The naturally gaited Tennessee walking horse is stepping under the rider’s seat with the hind leg and far more under the body mass than trailing behind and the horse is lifting the chest and wither.

Unbalanced Flat Walk with Head Nod Down-Up

If my horse is collapsing her chest and traveling with more weight on the forehand, she performs a head nod down-up. It feel like my horse is pulling me downhill or feeling heavy in my hands.

Above shows the same naturally gaited Tennessee walking horse out of balance in the head nod down-up. The hind legs are disengaged and not stepping under the body mass or under the rider and the chest is collapsed and the horse in on the forehand.

Demi-Arret to Regain Balance

I ride with a snaffle bit and whenever my naturally gaited Tennessee walking horse leans on the bit, I apply a demi-arret. I raise my hands higher with a squeeze of my hands as soon as the nod comes up and quickly release. The timing of the demi-arret is important so that it is in rhythm with the nod and the hind leg steps. As soon as my horse lightens and I feel the balance return, I cease the demi-arret.

Sometimes the demi-arret doesn’t seem to be helping my horse lighten if my horse is traveling at a faster tempo out of balance. In this case, I will slow the tempo down to a walk or halt and rebalance my horse. Then from a balanced halt or slow walk, I will transition to a faster tempo like a flat walk or canter.

I hope this is helpful. What are your thoughts? Please reach out and send me a message or stay connected by subscribing to the Naturally Gaited youtube channel and “like” us on facebook.com/naturallygaited.