Tag Archives: dressage for gaited horses

Dressage for the Gaited Horse, French Dressage for Gaited Horses

Following Arms & Rubber Band Fingers

Following the Head and Neck Motion

Many gaited riders choose to ride still or to ride with a long floppy rein. So, why follow the natural head and neck motion of the gaited horse with relaxed arms, shoulders, hands and fingers? If dressage is your riding style, here’s something to consider.

Following the Head and Neck of the Gaited Horse with Relaxed Arms & Rubber Band Fingers

By Jennifer Klitzke

When I returned from my Seattle vacation last Fall, I was excited to try out all I learned from Nichole Walters, a student of Classical French Dressage Master Philippe Karl. I was especially curious about following the natural head and neck motion of my naturally gaited horse with relaxed shoulders, arms and hands.

Granted, I rode non gaited horses at Nichole’s farm. Yet a trotting horse walk expresses an even four-beat gait. The head and neck nods naturally with each step. This is where Nicole encouraged me to relax my shoulders, back, and arms so that I would follow the horse’s motion.

It got me thinking. This seemed like a direct take-a-way for how I ride my naturally gaited Tennessee walking horse and fox trotting horse. It was critical that I learn to follow the natural head and neck motion while maintaining a light, even contact.

After publishing the video: Following the Motion of the Head Shaking Horse, I received a great tip from someone on the Naturally Gaited Facebook page. Along with following the natural head and neck motion with relaxed arms, a women encouraged to open and close my fingers with each head nod. This is what I call “rubber band fingers.”

I began giving this idea a try with both my naturally gaited Tennessee walking horse and my fox trotting mare.

Along with following the natural head and neck motion with relaxed arms and rubber band fingers are leading my naturally gaited horse into:

  • Relaxation: relaxed in the mind and relaxed in the jaw and back which will help break up pace.
  • Balance: so my naturally gaited horse will carry equal weight on all four legs and not be heavier on the forehand or leaning on the bit.
  • Rhythm: that my naturally gaited horses tempo is even, steady, forward, and not rushing.
  • Engagement: that of the hind leg steps deeper under the body more than trailing behind the tail.
  • Straightness: so that the shoulders are carrying equal weight and the horse isn’t leaning on the inside shoulder or bulging the outside shoulder.

I am seeing great results from combining these elements. My naturally gaited Tennessee walking horse’s head nod is more defined and regular in timing with the hind leg steps. Her rhythm is more even, and she seems more forward and engaged from behind.

Video: Following the Motion of the Head & Neck

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Dressage for the Gaited Horse

Relaxation, Softness & Engagement in the Naturally Gaited Horse

relaxation softness and engagement in the naturally gaited horse

Relaxation, Softness & Engagement in the Naturally Gaited Horse

By Jennifer Klitzke

Wowzers, was she ever a hot tamale! After five months of Minnesota winter off, this was Lady’s second ride of the Spring.

Lady is my friend’s naturally gaited fox trotting horse. She is ridden barefoot and in a snaffle bridle. In this riding session, we focused on relaxation (of mind and body), softness in the jaw, and engagement (stepping deeper under the body).

With a little persistence, gentleness, and encouragement, Lady settled into some rather nice fox trotting that was relaxed, soft, and balanced, with good rhythm and engagement.

Video: Relaxation, Softness & Engagement in the Naturally Gaited Horse

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Dressage for the Gaited Horse

2016 FOSH Gaited Dressage Winners

This year my naturally gaited Tennessee walking horse Gift of Freedom and I gave Gaited Western Dressage a try through North American Western Dressage Association (NAWD) Virtual Shows.

2016 was a year of firsts for all three gaited dressage winners

Friends of Sound Horse (FOSH) announced the award winners for the 2016 FOSH Gaited Dressage Program, a division of FOSH Gaited Sport Horse. This unique program recognizes and rewards gaited horses competing in the discipline of Dressage.

2016 entries included the Spotted Saddle Horse, Tennessee Walking Horse, Missouri Fox Trotting Horse, and Rocky Mountain Horse. Eligible scores ranged from 62.8% to 74.50%. Eligible tests may be Live, Virtual, English or Western. Recognition was given in Two Gait, Introductory, Training, First, and Second Levels.

IJA Western Training 2 canter
Jennifer Klitzke riding her naturally gaited Tennessee walking horse Gift of Freedom at one of three North American Western Dressage Association Shows.

For my naturally barefoot and naturally gaited Tennesee walking horse, Gift of Freedom, this was the first we submitted entries for Western Dressage. While we have been award gaited dressage award winners in the FOSH gaited dressage category, this is the first time we have won in the Gaited Western Dressage division.

Loren Hilgenhurst Stevens riding Sosa’s Playboy at Sonset, a Tennessee Walking Horse.

I am thrilled to see gaited dressage grow! Congratulations to Sosa’s Playboy at Sonset, a Tennessee Walking Horse, owned by Nicole Mauser-Storer of Bartonville, IL who are a new entrant to the FOSH gaited dressage program. Not only did this duo submit seven test scores, they won the award for Training Level and achieved the highest score of 74.50%,.

Congratulations also to Cash-N-Out owned by Loren Hilgenhurst Stevens of Atkinson, NH who was a new entry in 2016. This Tennessee Walking Horse was the award recipient in the Two-Gait category, submitting six test scores.

To be eligible for awards in the FOSH Gaited Dressage Program, three scores of 60% and over must have been recorded in any level of Dressage competitions with a recognized judge. Tests must have been specifically developed and written for gaited horses. Recognized tests include IJA, NWHA, WDAA and Cowboy Dressage.

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Dressage for the Gaited Horse

Not All Dressage is the Same

Not All Dressage Is the Same

Did you know that there are different forms of dressage, producing different result? Here’s my story.

Not All Dressage is the Same

By Jennifer Klitzke

In the realm of dressage, there are various approaches and methods that can shape the way we train and communicate with our equine partners. From the competition dressage pyramid to an artistic French dressage style, each path offers unique outcomes.

After seven years studying competition dressage, French dressage master Dominic Barbier traveled to my region. I experienced the lightness and joy he brought to his work with horses. This sparked a shift in my training methods, moving towards a more creative and right-brain approach that focused on a two-way dialogue with my horse.

As I delved deeper into my dressage journey, I encountered the teachings of classical French dressage master Philippe Karl and the late Jean Claude Racinet. Their emphasis on balance, relaxation, and the separation of hand and leg aids opened up a new way of communicating with my horses.

Contrasting the back-to-front approach of competition dressage, where we drove our horses forward with our seat and legs into our hands to form contact, the French dressage method lightness to the hand and leg by separating the leg and seat aids for “go” from the hand aids for “stop.” I found an improved responsiveness from my horses through this distinction in my communication.

The focus on relaxation and balance from the beginning of training in French dressage has transformed the way I work with my horses. By prioritizing the horse’s comfort and well-being, I have seen improvements in their mental and physical relaxation, leading to smoother gaits and a deeper partnership.

Transitioning from a one-way to a two-way communication approach has been transformative as well. Instead of viewing resistance as disobedience, I now see it as a signal of misunderstanding or difficulty, prompting me to refine my communication and level of difficulty to ensure understanding and harmony with my horse.

In dressage, there are more than one path to explore, each offering its own applications and outcomes. French dressage has reshaped my approach and instilled a deep appreciation for the artistry and partnership that define this paradigm. As I continue to navigate the nuances of different dressage methods, I am reminded of the words of Philippe Karl: “If the dressage is good, it will work on any horse.”

Dressage is a journey of discovery, communication, and partnership with my horses. I am grateful for the diverse approaches that have enriched our experience.

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Dressage for the Gaited Horse

Dressage and a Horse that Didn’t Trot

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Dressage and a Horse that Didn't Trot

If dressage improves the quality of natural gaits for non-gaited horses, can dressage improve quality smooth gaits for naturally gaited horses?

I was on a mission to find out.

Dressage and a Horse that Didn’t Trot

By Jennifer Klitzke

Twenty years of riding the sitting trot took a toll. I set out to find a smooth horse that would be easier on my aging body. In 2007, I fell in love with a three-year-old naturally gaited Tennessee Walking Horse filly named Makana.

When I began our training, I discovered that smooth didn’t come easy.

Yes, the smooth gaits are inherent within my naturally gaited Tennessee Walking Horse, but it was up to me to develop them. As a dressage rider of non-gaited horses that trot, how would I approach her training? Would dressage be as simple as replacing trot for the natural smooth gaits?

More than a simple gait replacement

I’ll never forget what it was like in the beginning of Makana’s training. When I cued Makana for the flat walk, she took a few steps of pace, stepping pace, flat walk, fox trot, and rack. Then I had to figure out which gait was the one I had asked for. Adding to the smooth gaits is the natural head and neck nod.

Dressage requires riding the horse with a snaffle bit and a light even, contact with both reins. While sitting a smooth horse is easier than sitting a bouncy trot, I discovered it was easier to teach a non-gaited horse acceptance of the bit. Why? The head and neck of a non-gaited horse remains stationary at the trot. My Tennessee Walking Horse has a natural head and neck nod at the flat walk, running walk, and fox trot.

How do I maintain rein contact while my horse’s head and neck nod with each step? How do I teach her acceptance of the bit?

I wrestled with these questions as we began our dressage journey. While I taught her bit acceptance, I needed to follow her natural head and neck motion. This means I needed to relax my shoulders, arms and hands to earn her trust with the contact.

Developing quality smooth gaits with dressage

I knew the principles of the dressage training pyramid would teach my naturally gaited Tennessee Walking Horse rhythm, relaxation, connection, engagement, straightness, and collection. Over time these qualities would develop her full range of motion—laterally and longitudinally. This would improve the quality of her natural smooth gaits.

Over time, Makana’s flat walk and running walk became relaxed and forward. Her head and neck nod was in timing of her hind leg steps. She developed rhythm and tempo with a more even stride length. Her steps were more engaged under her body. It was up to me to learn how to gently follow her natural head nod in a walk, flat walk, running walk, and canter. 

I began to ride with greater awareness of cause and effect. By developing a greater feeling of right, I knew when I needed to make a correction. Then I listened for the regularity of foot falls and watched her head and neck motion where also helpful tools.

Learning Dressage for the Gaited Horse

I took regular dressage lessons for 20 years before moving to our farm. Now there wasn’t anyone in my area who taught dressage―especially for the gaited horse. I read books and watched videos. Then I attended clinics whenever gaited horse experts traveled to my area. 

In 2010, I learned of a schooling dressage show not far away. Thinking it would be a good idea, 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 entered to get feedback from a trained dressage professional about our training.

The judge provided helpful feedback about rhythm, relaxation, connection, engagement, balance, harmony, my riding position, use of rein, leg, seat and weight aids, and execution of the test requirements.

I never imaged I’d be return to showing dressage after 16 years riding a horse that didn’t trot!

Clearly dressage has improved the quality of Makana’s smooth gaits. Her medium walk, free walk, flat walk, running walk, collected walk, and canter are well established. We have worked through Introductory, Training, First level tests and are schooling Second level.

Dressage is a versatile language

Since we began this naturally gaited dressage journey, we have met many people who have introduced us to new experiences. I never imaged we’d be moving cows at team penning events and cow sorting leagues, riding the beauty of our State Parks by horseback, competing in endurance rides, orientation events, and trail challenges, riding in the snow, and giving stadium jumping a try.

In and out of the arena, dressage is our language through the versatility of experiences I enjoy with my naturally gaited Tennessee Walking Horse.

Video: How dressage improves smooth gaits

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