Tag Archives: dressage for gaited horses

Does learning how to ride and train a naturally gaited horse feel like an endless pursuit or an adventurous journey of lifelong learning?
Here’s my story…

Lifelong Learning and the Gaited Horse

By Jennifer Klitzke

I was born with the passion for horses. The passion certainly wasn’t inherited by my parents! It wasn’t until I was out on my own, completed my education and entered my profession that I began saving for the dream of owning my first horse.

My first horse an OTTB — My first horse, an off-the-track-thoroughbred mare named Seasons.

When I bought an off-the-track thoroughbred mare in 1988, learning resources were limited. One-on-one instruction and book learning were my options with an occasional video rental at the local tack store. Today the digital age avails endless learning opportunities and riding genres to draw from. We can google a question and receive instant answers in a variety of formats from dozens of thought leaders.

Critical Thinking Beyond the Classroom

My education taught me critical thinking. As a college student, not all of my classes related with my major, and those that did were taught by (not one) but a variety of instructors who prepared me for my career.

In and out of the classroom, I take critical thinking with me―even into my horse riding and training. Whenever I come across a new idea, I listen, discuss, ask questions, think through, and make decisions alongside what I know and have experienced. Then I consider whether to embrace and study this new idea to accompany my riding and training program or even discard an old practice.

I am grateful for the dozen years of one-on-one German dressage lessons with one instructor. I learned how to ride with feel: to know when it felt in or out of balanced, connected or discombobulated, crooked or straight, too sluggish or too hurried. My instructor taught me how to restore the feeling of right when we lost it. This took years and lots of practice to develop, especially when riding a variety of horses, since each one felt different. My dressage instructor taught me a solid foundation to contrast and compare other ideas from. Without this foundation, I would have floundered.

Since then, I have been on an endless journey of discovering how to ride and train horses―predominantly in dressage. Within my dressage study, there have been many shifts as there are differences in application between masters, schools, instructors, and paradigms. Not all dressage has the same focus or produces the same result.

Sometimes I’m happily surprised with new ideas. Like when I became acquainted with different styles of dressage: realizing the language of dressage breaks the bounds of an arena into any activity we do; contrasting and comparing dressage as art versus sport; and the epiphany that dressage is more than trot. Dressage offers profound benefits for smooth gaited horses!

featured showing dressage with the gaited horse — Showing Dressage with a Gaited Horse

If I had stopped learning, I would have missed out on all this…

Dressage for the Gaited Horse

After 20 years riding non-gaited horses, I acquired my first naturally gaited Tennessee Walking Horse. Riding with feel took on a whole new level with a smooth gaited, head nodding horse! I needed to learn how to ride a horse that doesn’t trot, so I set out to find a gaited dressage coach help me develop a new set of feel.

2014 Jennie Jackson clinic — Taking lessons from Jennie Jackson really helped improve the quality of our smooth gaits using dressage.

After purchasing a DVD training set from Jennie Jackson, I began learning dressage for the gaited horse from a true gaited dressage champion. Jennie performed with her famous Tennessee Walking Horse stallion, Champagne Watchout to the highest levels of dressage in his natural smooth gaits.

Lessons with Jennie taught me how to help my Tennessee Walking Horse get started in flat walk and running walk with connection and balance.

flat walk with contact — My naturally gaited Tennessee Walking Horse at flat walk.

Sound and Barefoot

When my farrier retired in 2010, I began studying natural barefoot trimming. I learned that performance horses can compete sound without shoes. This blew my mind! For decades I believed competition horses required year-round shoes for their soundness.

After studying a variety of barefoot trimming methods, I came across Linda Harris’s The Happy Hoof Channel and her method: The Anatomically Correct Trim (TACT). I have learned so much in the last 15 years about trimming my horses’s hooves.

Dressage beyond Showing

Jennifer and her 6-year-old naturally gaited Tennessee Walking Horse at a clinic with Larry Whitesell teaching us lateral exercises. — My naturally gaited Tennessee Walking Horse at a clinic with Larry Whitesell teaching us the feel of shoulder-in.

At Larry Whitesell clinics, I learned how to become a trusted leader with my gaited horses and lead them into relaxation and balance.

Larry’s method challenged my dressage training pyramid paradigm; he helped me understand that dressage is more than showing at Intro and moving up the next level as my scores improved. My dressage paradigm now included how to become a trusted leader and meet my horse’s needs for safety, relaxation, and balance.

Dressage as a Language

Beyond the art and sport of dressage, I learned that dressage is a language. Dressage is more than a form of riding or place to ride. Dressage is a way to communicate with the horse in and out of the arena: over a course of fences, through wooded trails, around a set of obstacles, sorting cows, and any other activity we do together.

gaited horse sorting cows — Cow sorting with a gaited horse.

Dressage Riding Position

Jennifer Klitzke riding at a Mary Wanless Clinic — Riding my Spanish Mustang at a Mary Wanless rider’s bio-mechanics clinic.

Over the years I have been acquainted with a variety of ways to ride a horse. After studying Ride with Your Mind books and videos, I audited and rode at Mary Wanless rider’s bio-mechanics clinics. I learned ways to reposition my body, ride with my core, and be lighter and more balanced over my horse’s back. This position helps my horse carry me with greater ease.

I began applying these methods of riding with my naturally gaited horses and notice when I correct my riding position first, there are less adjustments to make to my horse.

More than one Dressage

Jennifer Klitzke and SeilTanzer at the 1995 Dominique Barbier Clinic Jacqurei Oaks

My introduction to French dressage was in the 1990s when I rode with traveling clinician, Dominique Barbier. He produced an environment of joy while his dressage methods stirred harmony and lightness. It was quite a contrast from my German dressage schooling.

Years later, a French dressage clinician, Susan Norman, traveled to my area. Her Riding with Lightness clinics introduced me to the work of her mentors, French dressage masters Philippe Karl and the late Jean Claude Racinet.

why have contact — Susan Norman said, “In French dressage we ‘ask’ the horse to do, we don’t ‘make’ the horse to do.”

French dressage has challenged my German dressage paradigm more than any other. There have been many instances where French methods have replaced my former German roots of riding and training. Among the biggest changes have been “Hands without legs and legs without hands.” (separating the stop and go aids for clarity to the horse instead of combining my driving aids into my hand). The other is learning the importance of a relaxed mouth, lower jaw, and poll and its effect on movement.

I have found relaxation of the mouth and jaw are paramount for training smooth gaits. This means no longer riding with low fixed hands that lead to bracing, pacing, and bit avoidance. No combining leg and hand aids that create confusion and dullness. Loosening or eliminating nose bands that keep the mouth closed. Scrapping gadgets like side reins, tie downs, and draw reins that force a headset or frame. Developing awareness to how the horse feels and regard reactions as feedback instead of disobedience to punish. The French method meant learning how to gently communicate with the horse’s sensitive mouth to teach bit acceptance. Also to use my fingers softly to aid relaxation and immediately quiet communication as soon as the horse responds.

In 2014, I learned Philippe Karl launched École de Légèreté (School of Lightness) instructor certification clinics in the US. Eager to locate instructors who taught this classical dressage method, I traveled for one-on-one instruction with an instructor in training. Learning from books and DVDs offer a great general concept, but nothing beats real-time coaching. The fabulous feedback I received from Nichole Walters inspired my desire to continue French dressage for the gaited horse.

Travere or Haunches In — Linda coaches me and my naturally gaited Tennessee Walking Horse through organizing my aids in lateral exercises on a circle.

Then in 2018, Légèreté instructor, Linda Kaye Hollingsworth Jones traveled to my region for two clinics. She coached me and my naturally gaited Tennessee Walking Horse, Makana.

Since then, I have been taking a deep dive into the methods by classical dressage masters. I have been studying books about Francios Baucher and his second manner, Francois Robichon de la Gueriniere, as well as the late modern dressage master Nuno Oliveria.

Scientific Research Spotlights Balance and Collection

Facebook led me to the research of Dr. Hilary Clayton. She is also a credentialed dressage rider and judge to the highest levels. In one of her posts, she describes research proving the importance of developing the chest muscles for balance and collection. This was a paradigm shift for me. For years I had been focused on driving my horse forward from behind and not aware of developing the chest muscles. It is no wonder I hadn’t established balance. I had been chasing my horse onto the forehand.

Clayton’s research has challenged me develop the whole horse instead of fixating on hind leg stride length so prized with Tennessee Walking Horses. I began to value slower walking steps in a balanced position where the four legs stepped beneath the horse’s body mass. We worked through lateral exercises, rein back, jambette and Spanish walk that build strength, balance, flexibility, lightness, and relaxation. Then we transition to the longer striding gaits of free walk, flat walk, and running walk.

Dr. Clayton’s research further inspired me to pursue French dressage for the naturally gaited horse to develop relaxation and balance.

Jambette — My 22 year old naturally gaited Tennessee Walking Horse performing a jambette.

Grade School and Horse Speak

I have gained wonderful friends through this Naturally Gaited blog over the last 15 years. One of which has been a student of Michael Gascon, a fifth-generation Paso Fino trainer and international colt starter of more than 5,000 horses. My friend invited me to participate in his FREE 30-Day Horse Help Challenge.

Cowboy colt starting collided with my dainty dressage paradigm. Initially I thought, “Why on earth would I apply this training with a horse I have been riding the last four seasons?!” Yet, I was open to learn and intrigued with Michael’s gaited horse expertise. So, I enrolled Marvel, my seven-year-old Tennessee Walking Horse / Spotted Saddle Horse, in the virtual challenge. It didn’t take long to realize there were areas in our training dressage hadn’t addressed.

Michael explained teaching a horse dressage without attending grade school is like jumping straight to college. I didn’t understand what he meant until completing his Pre-K through Grade 12 colt starting program.

Michael’s program is based upon growing up at a barn and studying how horses behave and communicate with each other. Over the years, he has developed a step-by-step process in how to speak “horse” from the ground to the saddle. This helps set boundaries, establish respect, and clarify directions to the horse. Ultimately, this step-by-step process creates a safer horse―no matter what’s going on around.

Grade School Gallery

Now my go-go-go gaited horse waits for my cues after saddling up. Marvel is less distracted, keeps more attention on me, responds to my seat and body position, and is less fidgety with the bit. Plus, I don’t have to wait for perfectly calm conditions to ride! It wasn’t until I worked through Michael’s 30-day Horse Help Challenge that I realized the freedom I had been missing in my riding program.

Now I can say we have graduated grade school!

Gaited Horse Retreat

After the 30-Day Challenge I met my friend and many wonderful Gascon students from around North America for a five-day gaited horse retreat at Horse Haven Ranch with Michael Gascon―a truly extraordinary learning and paradigm stretching experience! Most of those in our group had been to over a dozen retreats, and I can understand why after experiencing it!

I watched Michael transform dozens of challenging horses within minutes to be relaxed, sensible and ridable. While training, he explained his step-by-step process with a keen sense of humor and storytelling! Michael has wisdom and experience far beyond his age. Now I understand why my friend has been a longtime student of Michael’s.

In addition to watching Michael work with retreat horses, we also engaged in fun horseback activities. I never imagined having horseback sword fights with pool noodles, working through scary trail obstacles playing horse soccer, or sorting cows on a horse I didn’t know. Plus, we learned ways to refine smooth gait with balance and collection.

My horses and I still speak French, but now I have become bilingual learning how to speak “horse.” Michael’s step-by-step training process is a great accompaniment with our dressage study. Plus, it is so FUN and is such a confidence booster for both the horse and rider! Now I don’t have to wait for ideal riding conditions. We are learning to face our fears from the ground to the saddle with fun activities! This has increased the relaxation, balance, symmetry, and collection I seek with my naturally gaited horses in the versatility training we pursue.

Our MG soccer ball has just arrived. Just as I expected, Makana has taken to it as she has the cows!

The more I learn inspires more I have yet to learn―even into my grandma years!

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.

Balance for Gaited Horses

Neck Extension vs Long & Low for the Naturally Gaited Horse

April 28, 2026 Jennifer Klitzke

neck extension vs long and low for the naturally gaited horse

What is the difference between long and low and a neck extension? How do each impact a gaited horse’s quality of movement?
Here’s my story…

Long and Low vs Neck Extension for the Naturally Gaited Horse

By Jennifer Klitzke

Many of us with naturally smooth gaited horses are familiar with the term long and low. For me, long and low was taught to help the naturally gaited horse relax and to break up pace into a smooth gait. A few years ago, I learned about the neck extension from Ecole de Légèreté (School of Lightness) teachers.

Before I purchased my first naturally gaited horse in 2007, I had been a dedicated student of dressage since 1988. I learned the benefits of stretching and developing the top line muscles of my trotting horses. We rode forward in a long and low position on a 20-meter circle and encouraged our horses to step under the rider’s body mass with the inside hind leg toward the outside rein. Then we changed directions and repeated the exercise. Long and low on a 20-meter circle was taught as a way to warm up, relax, stretch, and cool down our horses.

However, as my late father would say, “Too much of anything isn’t good.” Too much of a long and low position conditions the horse to slouch on the forehand. The chest muscles collapse instead of lift and the horse gets heavier on the bridle.

As an amateur, it took a few years for me and my Trakehner/ Thoroughbred gelding to prove ourselves at Training and First levels and begin Second level dressage. That’s when long and low habits met a rude awakening. Since I had conditioned my horse slouch on the forehand, Second level exercises like shoulder-in and haunches-in introduced us to a posture shift of balance and engaging the chest muscles.

Three reasons why long and low puts the horse on the forehand:

The head and neck of the horse weigh as much as 1/9th of its total body weight. When the head and neck are propelled ahead of the horse, it places the horse on the forehand by nature. The lower the head and neck get, the heavier the weight, especially in a nodding motion at a walk, flat walk, fox trot, or running walk.
In this long and low position, the horse’s chest muscles (pectoral and shoulder muscles) are collapsed and not lifting the horse’s head and neck upward in balance
In a long and low position, the horse’s hind legs push and disengage. While the lowered head and neck position can help the horse relax and stretch through the back, the disengaged hind quarters push the horse onto the forehand. This doesn’t lift a hollow back to a neutral position for a quality smooth gait.

Long and low on the forehand — Here is my naturally gaited fox-trotting horse Lady in a long and low position. Notice that she is disengaged from behind (not stepping under the rider’s position with her hind leg). Notice that her chest muscles are collapsed, and her abdominal muscles are not lifting her back to a neutral position. She may be relaxed but is not effectively developing the top line muscles in this position. She is traveling on the forehand and behind the bit.

A better way: moments (not miles) of neck extension AFTER balanced work

Instead of long and low, I learned the neck extension from Ecole de Légèreté (School of Lightness) teachers. Classical French dressage master Philippe Karl’s DVDs and books also illustrate the neck extension. Karl, the originator of Ecole de Légèreté (School of Lightness) is not a trainer of naturally gaited horses that perform the flat walk, fox trot, tolt, and running walk, but his teachings have so much positive application for the naturally gaited horse—especially the neck extension.

Philippe-Karl-Legerete-DVDs-video-camera — My DVD library includes terrific education through Philippe Karl *Classical Dressage volumes 1-4, The School of Légèreté volume 1,* and *Classical versus Classique*.

For me, learning the difference between the neck extension and long and low has been an eye opener. Why? Because I didn’t have the riding awareness of how long and low had been training my horses on the forehand. The neck extension has brought all the benefits I had been seeking in long and low without collapsing the chest and shoulders.

flat walk neck extension — Flat walk in a neutral neck extension stretches the top line muscles and spine while maintaining a lifted chest.

What is the neck extension

After moments of balanced work, the neck extension trains my naturally gaited horse to stretch her head and neck forward and out to lengthen her spine, stretch her top line muscles from a balanced frame, encourage her to step deep under her body with her hind leg steps in a regular relaxed and forward rhythm without rushing, and engage her abdominal muscles to lift her back to a neutral position.

Watch: Action-Reaction to Neck Extension

Action-Reaction to Neck Extension

Differences between the neck extension and long and low

Big differences between a neck extension and long and low position are the horse is released to neck extension only after a state of balance and relaxation have been reached to maintain; the horse’s head and neck are positioned no lower than poll at wither level in a neck extension; and the neck extension is performed for a few minutes at a time instead of miles at a time.

It is also important to keep the horse’s nose ahead of the vertical with an open throat latch. This position helps minimize weight loading the forehand.

How to apply the neck extension

First, I help my horse find balance and relaxation first through in-hand exercises that help her accept an even snaffle bit contact. These exercises help my horse unlock tension in her jaw as she tastes the bit. These in-hand exercises are then applied in the saddle before I ride.
While riding I will follow the natural head and neck motion of my gaited horse to maintain an even snaffle bit contact to maintain relaxation of the jaw. Beginning lessons in Legerete: Following Hands»
Instead of beginning my ride with long and low, I encourage my horse to walk in a slow, relaxed and balanced position while still tasting the bit, either in a shoulder-in or a small circle.
After I achieve relaxation and balance, I release my horse into moments of the relaxed and balanced neck extension. Then throughout our ride, I will ask for neck extension at the walk, flat walk, running walk, foxtrot, trot (on cue) or halt.

Comparisons of long and low and neck extension

This is a great example of an ineffective long and low. There are some things going well here like my naturally gaited Tennessee walking horse is relaxed and showing a decent length of stride in rhythm, and her withers are higher than her croup. However, she is behind the bit without an even snaffle bit contact and is not lengthening her spine.

Neck extension at a flat walk — This is a great example of a neck extension at a flat walk. My naturally gaited Tennessee walking horse is engaged from behind, lifting her back, stretching, forward, out and down at chest level with an even snaffle bit contact. The dressage fundamentals of rhythm, relaxation, connection and engagement are shown here. Also notice that the withers are higher than the croup instead of the croup being higher than the withers.

Lady neck extension in smooth gait with western saddle — Here’s a good neck extension position of my naturally gaited fox trotting mare, Lady to develop her top line muscles. She is stepping more under her body mass with her hind leg, less hollow, lifting her pectoral muscles while extending her head and neck out with an open throat latch and without getting too low.

My naturally gaited fox trotting horse Lady showing a neck extension — Here’s my naturally gaited fox trotting horse Lady showing a neck extension while performing trot (on cue). Her back is in a neutral position. She is in balance and seeking contact with the bit while stretching her head and neck forward, out and down at chest level which allows her to lengthen her spine. Notice that the withers are higher than the croup vs the croup being higher than the withers.

Neck extension to improve quality smooth gait

Instead, try the neck extension to improve the quality of natural smooth gait where the horse reaches under its body with its hind leg steps, engages its abdominal muscles to lift its back to a neutral position, and stretches forward, down and out with the head and neck to lengthen the spine. All of these qualities can help build the top line muscles and break up pace!

So, whether you’re training your naturally gaited horse to show gaited dressage or western gaited dressage or are looking to break up pace for a natural smooth gait, I hope learning the difference between long and low and neck extension will help bring awareness to your riding. Long and low stretching is great as long as the horse isn’t collapsing the chest, out of balance on the forehand, hollow, behind the bit, or disengaged (trailing its hind legs) instead of stepping under the rider.

Questions?

Let me know your thoughts by completing the form below.

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

Dressage for the Gaited Horse

How to Develop Smooth Gaits

December 13, 2025 Jennifer Klitzke

Naturally gaited Tennessee walking horse running walk at 21 years old.

Are naturally gaited horses smooth? Why do some gaited horses fall in and out of a smooth gait? Why are some gaited horses bouncy or rough to ride? How can a naturally gaited horse develop consistent smooth gaits?

How to Develop Smooth Gaits

By Jennifer Klitzke

Many people buy a naturally gaited horse thinking they are automatically smooth all the time. Some gaited horses are more naturally smooth, but most gaited horses need consistent training to develop a smooth gait.

Four steps to develop smooth gaits one step at a time

Easy? No, but with patience, joy, and perseverance, you and your naturally gaited horse can break free from pace, and it is worth every step of the journey to smooth gaits.

1. Begin with a relaxed walk on a circle. The key words are “relaxed” and “walk.”

If the horse is tense or braced, help the horse find relaxation, here’s what I do: Introducing a gaited horse to a snaffle bit

If the horse is pacing instead of walking, here’s what I do: How to break up pace

Another thing to become aware of is rider tension and bracing or riding with low fixed hands. This can cause a gaited horse to pace. Here’s what I do: How to ride a gaited horse

2. From a relaxed walk ask for a bit more tempo to move into a smooth gait.

3. Practice consecutive smooth steps.
Practice what you desire. Don’t keep practicing a tense and pacey gait since this reinforces what you don’t want.

4. Stop and reward your horse BEFORE the steps get bouncy, pacey, out of balance, tense or hurried.

In the beginning your horse might only be able to do a couple smooth steps in a row. Stop and reward every good thing! A few consecutive smooth steps can lead to more and more over time.

Avoid consecutive steps of pace, tension, or bouncy gaits, because that’s the muscle memory you’ll create. Practice what you want to keep―consistent smooth steps!

Can dressage develop smooth gaits?

Dressage is one form of training for the naturally gaited horse to develop consistent smooth gaits using exercises that develop relaxation, balance, rhythm, forward movement without rushing, connection, symmetry and engagement.

When my horse becomes unbalanced, loses rhythm and rushes, hollows or becomes disengaged, that’s a great clue I need to slow down to a relaxed and balanced walk before increasing the tempo to smooth gait. Tense, rushed and hollow movement have never led to the relaxed and balanced smooth gaits I desire.

When I’ve re-established a relaxed yet active walk, then I transition to the smooth gait I desire―one step at a time.

Over time, a few relaxed and balanced smooth steps turn into longer durations of consecutive smooth steps over time.

My seven-year-old naturally gaited Tennessee Walking Horse in a smooth flat walk.

How do you learn dressage?

I’ve been perusing my equestrian education since 1988 and there is always more to learn. Dressage is a lifelong learning journey. That’s why I love it. It ever gets boring!

Taking dressage lessons, attending dressage clinics, studying dressage DVD and books, and recording my rides are great ways to develop my riding skills. When I become a more effective rider, I also become a more consistent trainer and better communicator with my naturally gaited horses in developing consistent smooth gaits.

Good dressage lessons are important to gain timely feedback. This feedback helps the rider develop the feeling of right and the feeling of when the horse is falling out of balance, rushing, hollowing, tensing, or disengaging and knowing what to do to regain the feeling of right.
Taking lessons from Jennie Jackson really helped improve the quality of our smooth gaits using dressage.

How dressage can help a naturally gaited horse stop pacing?

pace riding two handed with curb contact — 2009: Tension equals pace. Here’s me and my naturally gaited Tennessee walking horse, Makana, early in our training. We struggled with pace as shown above. Notice the spurs, riding two handed with low, fixed hands using a curb bit, sitting on my pockets with all my weight on the saddle. I learned this from gaited riders. They told me this is how to make them gait. Does my Tennessee walking horse look relaxed in the mouth, jaw and body? Tension leads to pace. That’s why I don’t ride two handed with a curb bit anymore. I ride with a snaffle bit using dressage. I teach bit acceptance not bit avoidance. Relaxation is the key to develop quality smooth gait.

Six reasons why naturally gaited horses pace and how dressage can help

The horse has developed the habit of pacing. Learning dressage can teach you and your horse fun exercises like shoulder in, shoulder out, haunches in. These exercises begin at a slow walk in hand and then in the saddle to help break up the pacey footfall sequence into a more evenly timed four-beat walk. These exercises also help the horse soften and become more supple.
The horse paces because the equipment causes pain. Riding in an english or western saddle that fits you and your horse without pinching bridging or hollowing the back is a must. Just as important is finding a well-fitting and comfortable snaffle bit. Learning dressage can teach your horse bit acceptance.
The horse paces because it is tense in the mouth, jaw, poll, body, and back. Learning dressage can teach your naturally gaited horse how to accept and follow a light contact with a comfortable snaffle bit is so important. This relaxes the mouth, lower jaw, and poll and has a relaxing effect on the entire horse.
The horse paces because the rider throws the rhythm off. The horse’s footfall rhythm can be disrupted when the rider cues at the wrong time.

Learning dressage can teach you effective timing of your communication aids with your reins, legs, and seat as well as help you develop a balanced riding position (ear, hip, heel) over the horse’s center of balance. This helps to be an easier load to carry and not throw the horse out of balance.
The horse paces because the rider is braced and tense. Learning dressage can teach you body awareness and its effect on your horse’s movement. By relaxing and following the horse’s natural belly sway and head and neck movement can help the horse relax.
The horse was bred to pace. Is there hope for a naturally horse who was bred to pace? Yes, learning dressage can help your horse develop a smoother gait.

Easy? No, but with patience, joy, and perseverance, you and your naturally gaited horse can break free from pace, and it is worth every step of the journey to smooth gaits.

Questions?

Let me know your thoughts by completing the form below.

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

Dressage for the Gaited Horse

Does Rhythm Produce Relaxation

September 4, 2025 Jennifer Klitzke

Relaxation is key in developing smooth gaits for the Tennessee Walking Horse and other naturally gaited horse breeds. So, how do you teach a horse relaxation? Is rhythm the best way to produce it?
Here’s my story.

How I learned rhythm: The Pyramid of Training

I began a journey into competitive dressage with non-gaited horses in 1988. Back then we didn’t have the plethora of resources we have today. The internet was a dark distant dream, and resources like social media, blogs, and video channels were nonexistent. We were fortunate to have a traveling dressage instructor teach us the Pyramid of Training.

Back in 1988, the Pyramid of Training began with a foundation of rhythm (with energy and tempo) followed by relaxation (with elasticity and suppleness). Then connection (acceptance of the bit through acceptance of the aids), impulsion (increased energy and thrust), straightness (improved alignment and balance), and collection (increased engagement, lightness of the forehand, self carriage).

We showed our horses by riding dressage tests at the level of our training, beginning with Training level, followed by First, Second, Third, Fourth, Prix St. Georges, Intermediate, and Grand Prix. The latter showed the horse attaining the top of the Pyramid of Training. We moved up to the next level after achieving a few scores in the 60s or above. Most riders and horses never reached beyond Second level. The Pyramid of Training is a challenging, time consuming, and costly way to progress in dressage.

We believed rhythm produced relaxation. So, for my first 20 years of dressage riding with non-gaited horses, I lunged my horse and then rode him on a 20-meter circle in a long and low position to develop rhythm until he was relaxed. This was my process to achieve relaxation.

The Pyramid of Training with a Tennessee Walking Horse

In 2007, I acquired my first naturally gaited Tennessee Walking Horse, Makana. I applied the dressage Pyramid of Training I learned with non-gaited horses. Makana often worried about her surroundings and tensed her body. Worry quickened and shortened her steps. Was it smooth? Yes, but not the long striding flat walk she was capable of. Tension also affected her gait. When she tensed her body, it produced a step pace and a pace canter―definitely not smooth.

Makana often spooked when tense. This certainly didn’t create relaxation in me. My tense reaction only reinforced her spooking and perpetuated her worry. If I continued to ride her in this state, it was like trying to control a stiff plank caught in a gusty wind. Each spook made it harder to establish rhythm. We definitely had energy and tempo! I hoped to stay on long enough until she found rhythm and eventually reach relaxation.

I wondered, “How long does a nervous rider persevere on an anxious horse through spooks and tension before rhythm is established and relaxation sets in to develop smooth gaits?”

If I could sweat it out, riding a tense horse in a jarring gait for an hour, was this really the best approach? What was my horse learning by riding through miles of tension? Wasn’t I reinforcing her fear with my fear? I was certainly reinforcing mine!

Perhaps a relaxed rider could have ridden Makana through her tension and spooking to rhythm until she relaxed. For me, I needed a different approach.

The Pyramid of Training with a fox trotting horse

When my naturally gaited fox trotting horse, Lady, was tense in her lower jaw, mouth, and poll, it affected her whole body, and she would blast off into a hard, hollow trot. Any attempt to slow her down with bit contact only made her trot faster. Lady wasn’t having fun, and neither was I.

Perhaps after a few miles of a hard trot, Lady would have been tired enough to relax into rhythm, relaxation, and a smooth gait. However, what muscle memory was I teaching her? Wasn’t she just learning to run away in tension? For me, I needed a different approach.

Is there another way to do dressage?

In 2013, I began exploring a different application of dressage with my naturally gaited horses. Through DVDs and books by French dressage masters Philippe Karl and the late Jean Claude Racinet, I discovered techniques to help my horses mentally and physically relax before BEFORE I rode.

While Karl and Racinet rode dressage with non-gaited horses, their methods offer many benefits for my naturally gaited horses and for me as the rider.

The core of the French dressage philosophy is “respect to the horse” and the foundation of training is relaxation, balance, and impulsion. The ideal is to train the horse to be responsive to the lightest hand, leg and seat aids from a state of relaxed balance.

Legerete training model — *The Legerete (lightness) training model.*

Legerete begins with relaxation and balance BEFORE rhythm.

Surrounding the foundation of lightness is developing flexibility through suppleness. Then mobility with straightness and rhythm, followed by collection developing cadence. Legerete begins with relaxation and balance BEFORE rhythm.

In hand exercises

Instead of lunging or riding a worried or tense horse for miles in hopes of developing rhythm leading to relaxation, I have learned in-hand exercises that teach the horse relaxed balance at a halt and then at a slow walk. These exercises both improve my rein communication with my horse to help them accept and follow a gentle contact with a mild snaffle bit.

inhand flexion — After a flexion to the right to stretch the left-side neck muscles. I signal “Action.”

extension in flexion — The “Reaction” encourages the horse to stretch out in a lower position

I’ve noticed the in-hand relaxing and balancing exercises make riding easier, too. These same in-hand flexibility exercises are applied from the saddle at a halt. As long as my horse maintains a relaxed and balanced state of mind and body, I’ll proceed to a slow walk and then increase the tempo to a smooth gait. After developing relaxed balance then we work on developing rhythm.

Anytime my horse gets tense, anxious, or loses balance, I slow down the tempo or halt and reapply these flexibility and suppling exercises until relaxed balance is restored. This has been a better option for me and my naturally gaited horses compared with riding through miles of tension. Plus, the riding we do in a relaxed and balanced state develops the quality smooth gaits and muscle memory I desire. This dressage approach has led to a harmonious partnership with my naturally gaited horses.

work in hand to teach the horse how to accept and follow a light contact — Relaxing the mouth

My six-year-old naturally gaited Tennessee Walking Horse / Spotted Saddle Horse, Marvel, has been trained exclusively with the Legerete method and is coming along nicely. Plus, I cherish the fun and interactive partnership we have developed.

Anytime my naturally gaited Tennessee walking horses get worried, or my Foxtrotting mare gets tense in her body, I just ease down to a slow walk, halt or even dismount to work in-hand and restore relaxation. I don’t proceed until I’ve established mental and physical relaxation.

How relaxation creates smooth gaits

For me and my naturally gaited horses, we don’t proceed into movement until they are mentally and physically relaxed.

Without relaxation, there is no quality rhythm, no quality steps, no trainable or teachable horse to produce quality smooth gaits.

Thankfully French dressage has been the training philosophy I needed for my naturally gaited horses. Directing my horse to relaxation of mind makes a teachable horse−less tense and distracted and able to stay more focused on our time together. Teaching the gaited horse to relax its body leads to smoother gaits.

Ways to lead the horse into relaxation are:

Teaching the horse how to accept and follow a light snaffle bit contact
Teaching the horse how to relax the mouth, lower jaw, and poll which helps the horse relax through the back
Riding with a snaffle bit contact and following the natural head and neck motion with relaxed hands, arms, and shoulders
Making sure I am relaxed as a rider helps me lead my horse into relaxation
Shoulder in exercises in hand or from the saddle at a slow walk
Developing a partnership of trust and harmony with the horse

Relaxation of the horse’s jaw and back are especially important for the naturally gaited horse. The gaited horse is more prone to pacing when there is tension in the mouth, lower jaw, poll, and back.

My Tennessee Walking Horse has learned to relax her mouth, lower jaw, poll, and back. The step pace and lateral canter are gone. Now she has quality smooth gaits such as flat walk, running walk and saddle rack, and her canter is a quality three-beat canter.

Naturally gaited Tennessee walking horse balanced flat walk — Naturally gaited Tennessee walking horse at a relaxed and balanced flat walk.

For my fox trotting mare, by relaxing her mouth and lower jaw helps her relax her back. The hollow, hard trot is gone. Now she consistently offers a smooth gait.

Lady fox trot — My naturally gaited fox trotting mare, Lady in a relaxed and balanced fox trot with contact.

My naturally gaited Tennessee walking horse, Marvel in a relaxed and balanced flat walk.

Does a relaxed rider make a difference?

Applying French dressage with my gaited horses in hand and in saddle has built my confidence as the trusted leader in our partnership. It has also helped me be a more relaxed rider when we increase the tempo to a smooth gait or canter.

Over the last several years, I have learned tools that have helped me become a more relaxed and confident rider. My relaxation and confidence lead my naturally gaited horses into relaxation of mind and body. From this mutual relaxation, my horses are able to produce quality, smooth gaits (with a lot less spooks)!

Now we are having fun!

Questions?

Let me know your thoughts by completing the form below.

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

Dressage for the Gaited Horse

Improving Full Range of Motion

December 8, 2024 Jennifer Klitzke

Dressage for the naturally gaited horse offers many benefits include improving the full range of motion.

Dressage for the naturally gaited horse introduces many unique exercises that offer many benefits include improving the full range of motion, helping the horse find balance over the body mass, developing engagement of the hindquarters, abdominal muscles and chest muscles, and improving symmetry.

One of the best benefits dressage exercises offer the gaited horse are that they diagonalize the footfalls to break up pace for a four-beat smooth gait and break up a lateral canter for a truer three-beat canter.

Each time I ride my naturally gaited horse; I think about an accordion player. To produce the full scale of notes, the accordion stretches out and then gathers together. Riding a naturally gaited horse using dressage is similar to develop the full range of motion. There are neck extensions that stretch the top line muscles and spine and improve stride length and over track. There are also exercises that stretch the horse’s muscles longitudinally and exercises that help the horse engage.

This post and the video below capture elements from one riding session. Me and my then 16-year-old naturally gaited Tennessee Walking Horse, Makana work through dressage exercises and the full range of motion to improve quality smooth gaits.

Watch: Improving Full Range of Motion for the Gaited Horse

Developing full range of motion with dressage exercises

**Flechi droit** is not taught in mainstream dressage. It was an exercise I learned when studying classical equitation. There are many benefits to learning this exercise. Beginning at a slow walk, the horse keeps its body straight and turns its neck and head 45 to 90-degrees. This helps the horse learn shoulder balance and also stretches the outside neck muscles.

**Haunches in:** After the shoulder in, I transition to the haunches in which can be done on three or four tracks on a straight line or on a small circle shown here. It is a wonderful exercise for suppling, balancing and engaging the horse. In this exercise the outside hind leg steps under the body mass.

shoulder fore on a circle at a flat walk — **Shoulder fore:** Any time my naturally gaited horse gets stiff in the flat walk, I like to place her on a 15–20-meter circle in a shoulder-fore position. This helps her find suppleness, balance and engagement in the smooth gait.

counter bend turns — **Counter bend neck rein turns:** Another great exercise for the naturally gaited horse is counter bend neck rein turns. This exercise can be done at a slow walk or in a smooth gait as shown here and in the video. The rider positions the horse’s bend to see the outside eye. Then as the inside shoulder is about to move forward, the rider motions both reins from the outside to the inside. The outside rein touches against the outside neck. This indicates to the horse to transfer weight from the outside shoulder to the inside shoulder. This exercise has wonderful benefits for the naturally gaited horse in lightening the forehand.

These exercises help the naturally gaited horse find balance over the body mass, lighten the forehand and shoulders, engage the hindquarters, abdominal muscles, and thoracic sling, and help the horse relax the mouth, lower jaw and poll, and stretch the top line and spine for full range of motion. Plus, these exercises break up pacey lateral movement for smooth natural gaits.

A slow and folding rein back to half steps and piaffe are also great exercises to improve engagement and lighten the forehand.

lateral pace canter — Lateral pace canter

Dressage exercises such as the shoulder in and haunches in diagonalize the footfall sequence to break up a lateral canter for a truer three-beat canter.

This post and video applying dressage exercises to develop the full range of motion in a variety of smooth gaits: walk, canter, fox trot, saddle rack, flat walk, and running walk.

Questions?

Let me know your thoughts by completing the form below.

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

Lifelong Learning and the Gaited Horse

Critical Thinking Beyond the Classroom

If I had stopped learning, I would have missed out on all this…

Dressage for the Gaited Horse

Sound and Barefoot

Dressage beyond Showing

Dressage as a Language

Dressage Riding Position

More than one Dressage

Scientific Research Spotlights Balance and Collection

Grade School and Horse Speak

Grade School Gallery

Gaited Horse Retreat

Long and Low vs Neck Extension for the Naturally Gaited Horse

Three reasons why long and low puts the horse on the forehand:

A better way: moments (not miles) of neck extension AFTER balanced work

What is the neck extension

Watch: Action-Reaction to Neck Extension

Differences between the neck extension and long and low

How to apply the neck extension

Comparisons of long and low and neck extension

Neck extension to improve quality smooth gait

Questions?

How to Develop Smooth Gaits

Four steps to develop smooth gaits one step at a time

Can dressage develop smooth gaits?

How do you learn dressage?

How dressage can help a naturally gaited horse stop pacing?

Six reasons why naturally gaited horses pace and how dressage can help

Questions?

How I learned rhythm: The Pyramid of Training

The Pyramid of Training with a Tennessee Walking Horse

The Pyramid of Training with a fox trotting horse

Is there another way to do dressage?

In hand exercises

How relaxation creates smooth gaits

Ways to lead the horse into relaxation are:

Does a relaxed rider make a difference?

Questions?

Watch: Improving Full Range of Motion for the Gaited Horse

Developing full range of motion with dressage exercises

Questions?

Dressage is More than Trot