What is a half halt? Why is it used? When do you apply it? Does the half halt serve a purpose for the naturally gaited horse? Can a half halt improve the quality of gait?
Half Halt Awakening: Does the Half Halt Serve a Purpose for the Naturally Gaited Horse?
When I flew to Alabama in January to be Jennie Jackson’s working, the half halt wasn’t one of the questions I had on my mind. Instead I was interested in learning how to lengthen the stride of a running walk without rushing. I was soon to learn that the half halt was the secret ingredient to do just that.
The half halt is a broad term used to rebalance the horse, and as a dressage rider, I’ve been acquainted with the half halt for decades. Yet, I had not understood its application with the naturally gaited horse. My focus had been establishing a head nodding even rhythm and a SMOOTH gait. Beyond that I hadn’t developed an awareness for the need of half halts that could lead to gait quality.
That is, until I traveled to Amazing Gaits Equestrian Center and rode with Jennie. Each day I rode several naturally gaited Tennessee walking horses of various training levels. Some were green, others were well schooled, and one was being rehabilitated from Big Lick. Within each level of training, some horses rushed, others leaned on the bit, some took small quick steps, and some barged through the outside shoulder in a lateral exercise. In each case, Jennie taught me the importance and application of the half halt.
From Jennie’s coaching, I had a half halt awakening that taught me three important keys to its effectiveness. The first key is to become aware of when a half halt is needed; the second key is knowing and consistently applying the half halt aids at the right time; and the third key is knowing when to release the half halt.
Applying half halts with the naturally gaited horse
Awareness of need: Now that the ice has melted and it’s safe to ride again, I’ve been putting half halts into practice with the horses I ride. I’m amazed with how many half halts are applied within a riding session and how many reasons a half halt is needed. I’m using half halts to prepare my horse for a transition, whenever my horse leans on the bridle, or rushes, or becomes distracted, or feels heavy on the forehand and needs to re-shift its balance onto the hindquarters. Whenever my horse takes short quick steps, and whenever my horse bulges through the shoulder in a lateral movement.
Aids of the half halt: After I recognize the need for a half halt, I simultaneously freeze my lower back, still my hip joints from following my horse’s movement, and squeeze my fingers on the reins without pulling back. I hold this position until the release.
Timing of the release: Riding several horses of various training, along with Jennie’s coaching, really pointed out that the release of a half halt is not a one-size-fits-all. Sensitive horses will respond to the half halt quicker than less sensitive horses. One horse I rode tended to rush and a two-second half halt was applied before the horse responded. Another horse I rode also rushed, but she was much more sensitive so the half halt was released in a half second. As soon as the horse responds to the half halt by slowing down, or rebalancing, or straightening through the outside shoulder, or taking a deeper stride under its body, it is important to release the half halt. This means opening my fingers without letting the reins slip through, relaxing my lower back and resume following the horse’s motion through my hip joints alternating to the rise and fall of the belly sway which is in sync with the hind legs as they step under the body.
Sometimes a half halt and release is followed up with another half halt and release because the horse responded to the first half halt, took a couple balanced steps, and then rushed off again. Over time, with consistent half halts and releases in response to the rushing, the horse will rush less.
One horse I rode was barn sour. Every time we headed away from her friends, the horse began moving sideways. I tried to overcome this by riding with a fixed outside rein against her neck. It wasn’t working. Instead, Jennie encourage me to apply the outside rein like a half halt, then lift both reins up and over to the other side, and release. For this mare, the release made all the difference.
I am becoming more aware through the sense of feel just how half halts are rebalancing my horse to shift more weight onto the hindquarters, helping my horse become lighter on the bridle and rounder in the frame, and slowing my horse whenever she rushes to encourage deeper strides under her body.
This half halt awakening has opened my eyes to many benefits the half halt brings to the naturally gaited horse and in improving the gait quality of the horses I ride.
I’ve been a horse-crazy dressage rider for nearly 30 years. In 2007, my aching back gave up that bouncy sitting trot, and I bought Gift of Freedom (Makana), my naturally gaited Tennessee walking horse. SMOOTH was all I had in mind. I wanted to ride a horse that would be easier on my aging body.
In fact, showing dressage wasn’t even a considered when I looked at Makana, because I thought dressage was only for horses that trot. But dressage had been the only riding style I knew, so that’s what became our training language.
I love dressage because of the connection and harmony it brings between me and my horse. I love the relaxation, rhythm, balance, and impulsion it creates. I love how natural and humane it is as a training method. Connection, harmony, relaxation, rhythm, balance, and impulsion works for all horses whether they trot or gait. Plus, I love how dressage challenges me to become a better rider and communicator to my horse through the use of my aids.
I live on a rural hobby farm with few dressage instructors nearby, so I’ve began coasting on the knowledge I had gained from 12 years of traditional dressage lessons.
Then I joined a local TWH association and began attending clinics whenever gaited dressage instructors traveled to Minnesota and Wisconsin. I learned from people like Jennie Jackson, Larry Whitesell, Jennifer Bauer, and Bucky Sparks.
Makana has been barefoot for as long as I’ve owned her, and so are the other horses at my farm. A few years ago I began to study natural barefoot trimming and the importance of a low carbohydrate diet. I keep all of my horses trimmed on a regular basis. My husband likes the cost savings, but I like the natural and holistic approach to hoof care. Trimming hooves is pretty good exercise, too!
Meanwhile, through the Tennessee walking horse association, I learned that down South some Tennessee walking horses are shod with heavy shoes, thick pads, and chains. Caustic substances are applied to their front feet to intentionally make them sore. All this is done to accentuate their movement in what is known as the “Big Lick.” This isn’t dressage, nor is it natural or humane. In fact, it is illegal to sore horses this way. Yet still goes on because it is hard to enforce.
Then I became introduced to FOSH (Friends of Sound Horses) and the NWHA (National Walking Horse Association). FOSH is on the front lines fighting against soring and abuse, and both organizations are firm supporters of natural and humane training methods.
In 2010, three years after Makana and I had began my backyard gaited dressage journey, I learned of a tradition schooling dressage show only 10 miles away. I contacted the show manager and asked if I could ride my Tennessee walking horse and replace trot with flat walk. The show manager agreed. Little did I know that the NWHA had already written tests which did exactly that.
Getting to the show that day, I wondered if fellow competitors would laugh at me for entering a horse that didn’t trot, but I didn’t care. I was curious what a trained dressage professional would have to say as to where we were at in our training in regards to rhythm, relaxation, connection, impulsion, balance, and harmony. The feedback we received was meaningful, challenging, and affirming. It gave us something to work toward.
Through conversations with trotting horse riders, I was introduced to women who also owned gaited horses they rode on the trail. Up until that point, riding their gaited horses using dressage methods had not occurred to them. A couple of the women invited me to their next trail ride. I was thrilled to have someone to ride with.
During that first show, I learned of another schooling dressage show which offered gaited dressage entries using the FOSH tests. Then I learned that the NWHA had worked with the USDF to replicate dressage tests using flat walk in place of trot.
Well, five years and fifty-five gaited dressage tests later, I’ve gotten over being the odd-ball at the traditional dressage schooling shows, because of the people we’ve met along the way. Makana and I get to present a natural and humane alternative to the soring and abuse people hear about in the TWH industry. They get to see firsthand how dressage brings about rhythm, relaxation, connection, impulsion, straightness, collection, harmony, and balance in a horse that doesn’t trot.
In 2015, Makana and I showed at five USDF open schooling shows as the only gaited horse among the trotting horses and rode 10 NWHA tests.
2015 Gaited Dressage Show Record
May 2, 2015 Wildfire Farms Schooling Dressage Show Maple Lake, MN Judge: Jodi Ely NWHA Training Level Test 3: 68.2% NWHA First Level Test 1: 70.4%
May 9, 2015 Arbor Hill Schooling Dressage Show Stillwater, MN Judge: Molly Schiltgen NWHA Training Level Test 3: 67.27% NWHA First Level Test 1: 65.56%
May 30, 2015 Northwoods Schooling Dressage Show Corcoran, MN Judge: Colleen Holden NWHA First Level Test 1: 65.926% NWHA First Level Test 3: 70.294%
August 2, 2015 Carriage House Farms Schooling Dressage Show Hugo, MN Judge: Jennie Zimmerman NWHA First Level Test 1: 64.07% NWHA First Level Test 3: 62.06%
August 15, 2015 Wildfire Farms Schooling Dressage Show Maple Lake, MN Judge: Nancy Porter NWHA First Level Test 1: 66.5% NWHA First Level Test 3: 63.9%
“This accomplishment demonstrates the commitment, consistency and communication of partnership.” —Dianne Little
With our 2015 dressage scores, my naturally gaited and barefoot Tennessee walking horse mare, Gift of Freedom, has been named the 2015 NWHA Gaited Dressage National Champion at First Level, 2015 FOSH Gaited Dressage National Champion at First Level and 2015 FOSH Gaited Dressage National Champion at Training Level.
Dianne Little, FOSH Gaited Dressage Program Director writes, “You are to be congratulated for riding eight tests at First Level with all scores over 62%. Of these eight tests, four scores were over 65%. This accomplishment demonstrates the commitment, consistency and communication of partnership.”
Questions?
Let me know your thoughts by completing the form below.
Can dressage rehabilitate a former Big Lick Tennessee walking horse? Can dressage transform a tense, high-headed and hollow-backed frame into a relaxed posture that builds the top line? Can dressage break up a hard pace into a natural four-beat gait without heavy shoes and pads? Can dressage mend a damaged mind and help a horse develop trust in a rider, accept a light snaffle bit contact, and respond willingly to leg aids without exploding? Can dressage prolong soundness of a Tennessee walking horse?
Here’s my story…
Sore No More: Rehabilitating a Big Lick Tennessee Walking Horse with Dressage
By Jennifer Klitzke
It was time to apply the “Now That’s a Walking Horse” program grant awarded in 2015 to me and my naturally gaited Tennessee walking horse, Makana, by the United States Humane Society.
Cheryl Jacobson, Deputy Director, Equine Protection of The Humane Society of the United States wrote:
“Your application showcases the sort of approach to training of Tennessee Walking Horses that the NTAWH program hopes to promote. This includes correct training of horse and rider without the use of artificial enhancements or aggressive shoeing techniques while focusing on the gymnastic development as a way to improve and establish the gaits of the Walking horse.”
“We are further impressed by your volunteer efforts to “spread the word.” The best promotion for the breed is a good example. It is clear that you have provided that, sharing the good news about the natural Walking horse to the trotting as well as to gaited enthusiasts who have seen the limitless potential in the breed in new ways because of your efforts.”
Becoming a working student under Jennie Jackson
In January 2016, I had the opportunity to further my dressage as applied with the naturally gaited horse when I flew to Theodore, Alabama to be Jennie Jackson’s working student at the Amazing Gaits Equestrian Center. Jennie is the only person in history who has trained and shown a Tennessee walking horse through the highest levels of dressage, and she, along with her husband Nate, have been on the front lines fighting against Big Lick soring and abuse for over 30 years.
Meeting Champaign Watchout
While there I had the privilege of watching Jennie ride her famous 21-year-old naturally gaited Tennessee walking horse stallion, Champagne Watchout! He is the ONLY living Tennessee walking horse who had competed in the 1998 Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration World Grand Championship class. Watchout was also the only flat shod entry ridden among Big Lick horses. When horses are subjected to the cruelty and abuse of Big Lick practices, they simply don’t stay sound or live that long.
Jennie Jackson riding piaffe with her barefoot, 21-year-old TWH stallion Champagne Watchout.
My days with Jennie were filled with riding several Tennessee walking horses at various levels of training, flat walking the ocean coast, riding in a Dauphin Island Mardi Gras parade, and being introduced to the challenges of retraining a rescued Big Lick horse.
Big Lick it’s something I’ve encountered in Minnesota. In fact, I didn’t even know what Big Lick or soring were when I bought my naturally gaited Tennessee walking horse, Makana. I stumbled upon Big Lick when I searched YouTube for TWH training information.
After watching a few Big Lick videos, I wondered, “Is this how a Tennessee walking horse is supposed to move?”
The horrifying truth behind Big Lick motion
To me, the Big Lick Tennessee walking horses are like a Picasso painting coming to life: exaggerated, disjointed, and unnatural. Picasso once said, “Art is a lie that makes us realize the truth.” While some people might think Big Lick is expressive and exciting to watch and ride, how its motion is achieved unveils a horrifying truth.
The exaggerated Big Lick motion is produced by applying caustic agents to the horses’ front feet. This is known as soring. Then heavy shoes, pads and chains are added to the front feet. Horses are forced forward by the riders’ sharp spurs. With each step the chains slap against the horses’ sored feet. The horses react in pain. Their feet are further propelled by the heavy shoes. To evade the pain, horses learn to shift most of their weight to the hindquarters which produces extreme engagement. The horses are ridden in harsh curb bits to restrain them from exploding. This is the real reason the horses move as they do. Torturous. Sadistic and unlawful. Yet Big Lick still exists.
I made a firm decision after watching a couple Big Lick videos that dressage is all my barefoot Tennessee walking horse would know. Maybe boring to watch in comparison, but dressage is humane and trains the horse with respect and dignity. Then I began to support organizations like Friends of Sound Horses (FOSH) who advocate against Big Lick soring and abuse, and I began to meet others like Jennie Jackson who teach and train dressage for the naturally gaited horse.
Thankfully my naturally gaited Tennessee walking horse has never experienced Big Lick. Makana was imprinted at birth and raised by a loving family. I bought her in 2007 as a barefoot, just-turning-three-year-old filly. Natural and humane training is all she knows—no rehab needed.
Not so for many Tennessee walking horses down South.
Sweet Caroline’s story: A Big Lick survivor and given a second chance with dressage
A few weeks before my trip, Jennie had acquired a lovely mare named Sweet Caroline who had sadly experienced “Big Lick” training trauma. Like many Big Lick Tennessee walking horses, Caroline was bred to pace. When the heavy shoes and pads are added, then the horses move into a four-beat gait.
For years, Carolyn had been driven forward with sharp spurs into a harsh curb bit. She developed a habit ofrushing off in a tense, high-headed and hollow-backed frame. The soring scars on her front feet tell the rest of the story.
Now Caroline is barefoot. Could dressage break up her pace to develop a natural four-beat gait? Could dressage transform her tense, high-headed and hollow-backed frame into a relaxed and neutral posture? Could dressage help her trust a rider’s gentle hands, seek a snaffle bit contact, and accept light leg cues without rushing?
If anyone could teach me, it would be Jennie who has been training naturally gaited Tennessee walking horses for decades using dressage. Jennie had been retraining Caroline for several weeks prior to my arrival, so she knew how to coach me as I rode this hot, tense, and sensitive mare.
Jennie Jackson coached me as I rode this former Big Lick Tennessee walking horse with dressage. She is being ridden in a Happy Mouth Pelham bit which functions as a snaffle or a curb depending upon which rein is applied.
Dressage encourages relaxation which helps develop smooth gait for a barefoot former Big Lick TWH
Dressage produces relaxation and rhythm whether a horse trots, tolts, flat walks or fox trots. Relaxation replaces tension and is key to break up pace with a natural four-beat smooth gait like flat walk.
Jennie coached me through a great exercise to establish relaxation with Caroline.
True bend/counter bend transitions on a circle
At a regular walk on a 20-meter circle, Jennie coached me through transitions with Caroline between a true bend and a counter bend. The true bend is along the arc of the circle in a shoulder fore position. The counter bend is outside the arc of the circle. This exercise helped Caroline relax at the poll, lower her head and neck to a neutral position, which began to break up the pacey steps into an even four-beat walk.
The true bend/counter bend exercise taught Caroline to step beneath and across her belly with her hind leg each time I applied my calf lightly at the girth. This engaged her abdominal muscles to lift her back.
As I squeezed and released the inside rein softly, it relaxed the tension in her poll so she could soften and look slightly to the inside of the circle as she lowered her head and neck. The opposite rein (the indirect rein) maintained a light contact against her neck to keep her from moving sideways.
Then I’d squeeze and release the outside rein softly to relax the tension in her poll to soften slightly to the outside of the circle while applying my outside calf at the girth as she maintained a neutral head and neck position.
The true bend and counter bend exercise on a circle also helped to diagonalize Caroline’s foot fall. After she relaxed into the bending exercise at a walk, Jennie encouraged me to move her up into flat walk.
I clearly felt the difference between the tense pace and the relaxed four-beat flat walk. Each time Caroline lost relaxation, she became tense and rushed off into stiff bumpy pace. I transitioned her back to a walk and helped her regained relaxation in the bending exercise before transitioning back to flat walk.
Half halts for the gaited horse
When Caroline began to rush and pace, that’s when Jennie taught me the effectiveness of half halts: squeeze my fists together on the reins without pulling back and still my hips and back. As soon as Caroline slowed down into a smooth flat walk, I immediately relaxed my fingers (without letting the reins slip through my hands), and I followed hermovement with my fingers, hip joints and lower back.
While riding Caroline, I got LOTS of practice with half halts and releases. We had a few soft, round steps of flat walk with rhythm and relaxation. Then she would try to rush off again. I learned that it takes a lot of patience and quiet repetition to rehabilitate a traumatized Big Lick Tennessee walking horse.
Riding up and down hills is a great way to build top line muscles, engagement, and balance.
Cantering the hillside
After Caroline and I became acquainted in the arena, Jennie tacked up Watchout and we rode along the scenic trail system at the Amazing Gaits Equestrian Center. I schooled Caroline in flat walk and canter along the hillside overlooking the lake. We would canter up the hill to develop engagement and walk down the hill to help her learn balance. I switched between the flat walk and canter up the hill so Caroline would listen to my cues instead of anticipating canter.
In the few days I was there, it was delightful to witness how dressage began to rehabilitate a Big Lick Tennessee walking horse into a naturally smooth gaited and barefoot Tennessee walking horse.
Each day I rode Caroline, we had more prolonged moments of relaxation and rhythm. She had more and more consecutive steps of a natural four-beat flat walk. She was beginning to seek a snaffle bit contact instead of curling behind the bit to evading contact, and we began to build some trust.
I grew to love this spunky little mare. Returning home I felt good knowing that Sweet Caroline was in good hands with Jennie and that for the rest of her life she’d be sore no more.
Questions?
Let me know your thoughts by completing the form below.
Naturally gaited TWH Gift of Freedom ridden by Jennifer Klitzke was named 2015 NWHA First Level Champion.
By Jennifer Klitzke
When I bought my naturally gaited Tennessee walking horse Gift of Freedom (Makana) in 2007, I had no intentions on showing her—especially in dressage—because I thought dressage was only for horses that trot. I just wanted a smooth horse to ride that would be easier on my aging body. Since dressage had been the only riding style I had studied since 1988, that’s what became our training language.
Since I lived on a hobby farm with no gaited dressage instructors nearby, I rode by myself and applied knowledge from 12 years of traditional dressage lessons and attended clinics when gaited dressage instructors traveled to my state.
In 2010, I saw that a USDF schooling dressage show would be held ten miles away. I contacted the show manager and asked if I could ride my TWH but replace trot with flat walk. She agreed. (Little did I know that the National Walking Horse Association (NWHA) had already written dressage tests which did exactly that.
Getting to the show that day, I thought I would be laughed off the planet, because I’d be the only one riding a horse that didn’t trot. But I didn’t care, because it meant more to me to receive feedback from a dressage professional as to where we were at in our training as it related to rhythm, relaxation, connection, impulsion, balance, and harmony. The feedback we received that day was meaningful, challenging, and affirming. It gave us something to work toward.
Both Makana and I enjoyed the day. My mare was relaxed and curious. I made significant connections with owners of gaited trail horses. Many of which had never considered applying their dressage training to their gaited horses until seeing gaited dressage in action. Two women even invited us to join their next trail ride. As long as Makana and I had fun, we’d try it again.
After that show I became introduced to the NWHA dressage tests which are the same as the USDF tests with flat walk in place of trot.
Five years and fifty-five gaited dressage tests later, USDF schooling dressage show judges have provided constructive feedback to help us grow in our training from Intro through Training to First Level and have challenged us to face all of the required movements in both directions. This would be easy to avoid if we were just hacking at home.
In 2015, the NWHA launched a dressage awards program. I have so much gratitude for the NWHA. I appreciate all of the hard work in getting the tests approved through the USDF every four years. If it weren’t for these tests, I likely wouldn’t have had the opportunity to show at open USDF schooling dressage shows the last five years. For these reasons I became a NWHA member to support the dressage awards program.
In 2015, Makana and I showed at five USDF open schooling shows as the only gaited horse among the trotting horses and rode 10 NWHA tests (two at Training Level and eight at First Level). Five scores were required from three different “L” (or higher) judges within a level to qualify and one test being the highest of the level. The horse with the highest median score would determin the winner.
2015 Gaited Dressage Show Record
May 2, 2015
Wildfire Farms Schooling Dressage Show
Maple Lake, MN
Judge: Jodi Ely
NWHA Training Level Test 3: 68.2%
NWHA First Level Test 1: 70.4%
May 9, 2015
Arbor Hill Schooling Dressage Show
Stillwater, MN
Judge: Molly Schiltgen
NWHA Training Level Test 3: 67.27%
NWHA First Level Test 1: 65.56%
May 30, 2015
Northwoods Schooling Dressage Show
Corcoran, MN
Judge: Colleen Holden
NWHA First Level Test 1: 65.926%
NWHA First Level Test 3: 70.294%
August 2, 2015
Carriage House Farms Schooling Dressage Show
Hugo, MN
Judge: Jennie Zimmerman
NWHA First Level Test 1: 64.07%
NWHA First Level Test 3: 62.06%
August 15, 2015
Wildfire Farms Schooling Dressage Show
Maple Lake, MN
Judge: Nancy Porter
NWHA First Level Test 1: 66.5%
NWHA First Level Test 3: 63.9%
I’m happy to announce that Makana and I were named Champion in First Level, followed by Banner’s Dixie Belle ridden by Scot MacGregor, and Heat Stroke ridden by Pamela Polydoros.
For complete dressage award results visit www.NWHA.com.
Naturally gaited TWH dressage duo, Jennfer Klitzke and TWH Gift of Freedom, received an award and grant from The United States Humane Society “Now, That’s a Walking Horse” Program recognizing correct training of horse and rider without the use of artificial enhancements or aggressive shoeing techniques while focusing on the gymnastic development as a way to improve and establish the gaits of the Walking horse and through volunteer efforts to “spread the word” by sharing the good news about the natural Walking horse to the trotting as well as to gaited enthusiasts who have seen the limitless potential in the breed in new ways.
Naturally gaited dressage duo receives US Humane Society Award
By Jennifer Klitzke
Exciting news arrived in the mail! I received a letter from The Humane Society of the United States announcing that my naturally gaited Tennessee Walking Horse Gift of Freedom (Makana) and I have received an award and grant from The Humane Society of the United States “Now, That’s a Walking Horse” (NTAWH) program.
Cheryl Jacobson, Deputy Director, Equine Protection of The Humane Society of the United States writes:
“Your application showcases the sort of approach to training of Tennessee Walking Horses that the NTAWH program hopes to promote. This includes correct training of horse and rider without the use of artificial enhancements or aggressive shoeing techniques while focusing on the gymnastic development as a way to improve and establish the gaits of the Walking horse.”
“We are further impressed by your volunteer efforts to “spread the word.” The best promotion for the breed is a good example. It is clear that you have provided that, sharing the good news about the natural Walking horse to the trotting as well as to gaited enthusiasts who have seen the limitless potential in the breed in new ways because of your efforts.”
A couple years ago The Humane Society of the United States began to offer an award program called “Now, That’s a Walking Horse” which recognizes individuals who demonstrate natural and humane ways of training their Tennessee Walking Horses(s). This year, I pulled the material together and applied for this recognition award and grant.
Gift of Freedom as a frolicking two-year-old filly.
History I’ve been an avid dressage rider since 1988 with trotting horses and on Valentine’s Day 2007, my husband caved in a moment of weakness and said “yes” to one more horse. I purchased my first naturally gaited Tennessee Walking Horse, Gift of Freedom (Makana), just before she turned three years old. She had been selectively bred by a private family farm, imprinted and raised, and had 20 rides on her. Initially I was struck by her black beauty, and then her friendly “meet me at the fence” personality stole my heart.
I had no intentions of showing my Tennessee Walking Horse—especially dressage—because everyone told me dressage is only for horses that trot.
I had no intentions of showing my Tennessee Walking Horse—especially dressage—because everyone told me dressage was only for horses that trot. I just wanted a smooth horse to ride that would be easier on my aging body. However, since dressage had been the only riding style I had studied, that’s what became our training language.
Jennifer Klitzke riding Gift of Freedom at a TWH breed show in the 3-gait Trail Pleasure Rail Class
Later on I joined a local Tennessee Walking Horse association. They pleaded with members to show at the county fair for fear that classes would be cancelled due to a low number of entries. So being a good sport, I took my then four-year-old TWH mare to her first rail class show. To my amazement, Makana came alive in the show ring. We had so much fun I showed her at TWH rail classes for three years where she earned Trail Pleasure Champion in 2010 with the Minnesota Walking Horse Association. Makana has always been ridden and shown barefoot and in a mild snaffle bit or Imus Comfort Gait Bit.
Jennifer Klitzke riding naturally gaited TWH Gift of Freedom at a Gaited Trail Trial encountering the moose obstacle.
Video: Minnesota State Fair TWH Stakes Class (the only barefoot horse competing in the class)
Video: Minnesota Horse Expo TWH Demonstration Team
Video: Gaited Dressage Demonstration at a Traditional Dressage Ride-A-Test Clinic
Video: Endurance Riding with a Gaited Horse
Video: Sorting Cows with a Gaited Horse
Video: Gymnastic Jumping with a Gaited Horse
Video: Gaited Dressage
Our first gaited dressage show in 2010.
I never imagined I’d be showing dressage after 16 years on a horse that doesn’t trot!
Gaited Dressage In 2010, I saw a post on craigslist.com advertising a schooling dressage show near my home. I called the show manager and asked if I could ride my gaited horse in flat walk instead of trot. The show manager agreed and that’s when we made the switch to showing gaited dressage. I never imagined I’d be showing dressage after 16 years on a horse that doesn’t trot!
Since 2010, Makana and I have ridden over 60 gaited dressage tests at open USDF schooling dressage shows and have been the only gaited entry among the trotting horses. Being the odd ball at these events has sparked great conversations. Many people ask what breed my horse is and when I tell them she is a Tennessee Walking Horse they are wonderfully surprised to see a barefoot and naturally gaited TWH moving in a smooth four-beat gait without heavy shoes, artificial enhancements, or a harsh bit.
The main reason I bring my naturally gaited Walking horse to schooling dressage shows is to get feedback on our training from a professional. Plus, dressage tests force me and my horse to train through all of the required movements. The difficult movements traveling in the more challenging direction would be easy to avoid if I were just hacking at home.
In 2014, my naturally gaited Tennessee Walking Horse, Gift of Freedom, was named Champion in Training Level, Champion in First Level, and received the Highest Percentage Award in 2014 by Friends of Sound Horses (F.O.S.H.).
In First Level tests the horse must show bending through the corners at a flat walk, circle 10 meters at a flat walk, perform a 20 meter flat walk circle allowing the horse to stretch its head and neck down and out, and leg yields at a flat walk.
2015 Gaited Dressage Competitions In 2015, my naturally gaited Tennessee Walking Horse, Gift of Freedom, and I competed at five USDF open dressage schooling shows and rode 10 NWHA Training Level and First Level gaited dressage tests. We were the only gaited horse entry among trotting horses at these shows which always opens the door to wonderful conversation with fellow competitors and onlookers. Nine times out of ten, people say that they own a gaited horse for trail riding, and it had never occurred to them that dressage training methods could actually improve their communication and partnership with their horse on the trail until seeing it in action!
My first recognized dressage show with my Trakehner/thoroughbred gelding in 1992.
Dressage Education Beginning in 1988, I took 12 years of regular dressage lessons and showed my Trakehner/thoroughbred gelding SeilTanzer successfully at USDF recognized shows—Training Level through Second Level—until his retirement in 1996. Now with my Tennessee Walking Horse, I have resumed my dressage education by attending gaited dressage clinics with instructors who travel to my State, since no gaited dressage instructors teach nearby.
Riding at a Jennie Jackson Dressage as Applied to the Gaited Horse Clinic in 2013.
Among the clinicians who I have ridden with are Larry Whitesell, Jennifer Bauer, Bucky Sparks, and I have coordinated two gaited dressage clinics with Jennie Jackson in Minnesota (2013 and 2014). In March 2015, I traveled to Tennessee to ride at a Jennie Jackson Dressage en Gaite clinic.
I also study the work of Mary Wanless riding biomechanics through her books and videos, Philippe Karl French Classical Dressage DVDs, and Lisa Maxwell Riding in Lightness DVD.
I am a member of Central States Dressage and Eventing Association and show my naturally gaited TWH at their schooling dressage shows and have been a member of Friends of Sound Horses (F.O.S.H.).
NaturallyGaited.com In addition to training and showing gaited dressage, I launched www.NaturallyGaited.com in 2010 as a means to promote natural and humane training methods for gaited horses using dressage. This blog features stories, photos, videos, and information about how dressage can improve the quality of natural four-beat gaits without the use of abusive handling, heavy shoes, harsh bits, and artificial gadgets or enhancements. I also participate and promote natural barefoot trimming.
“Dressage is more than trot and the saddle you ride in.”
Readers of www.NaturallyGaited.com learn how dressage can help their trotty or pacey gaited horses develop smoother gaits as they develop relaxation, balance, rhythm, collection, and forward movement without rushing. Dressage improves the rider’s skills, sense of feel and timing of the aids in communicating with the horse and develops more harmony between the horse and rider relationship. In fact, dressage improves the horse’s natural gaits on cue, whether flat walk, foxtrot, or trot. Indeed “dressage is more than trot and the saddle you ride in.”
Volunteer Work
As a volunteer instructor, I have introduced dozens of students, young and old, to the naturally gaited Tennessee Walking Horse and gaited dressage.
My naturally gaited Tennessee Walking Horse has introduced dozens of people—young and old—to the basics of gaited dressage as I offer lessons as a volunteer instructor at my hobby farm. I have also served as a volunteer foster care home and have trained and placed many horses for the Minnesota Hooved Animal Rescue Foundation. In 2010, my husband and I fostered, broke, and trained a three-year-old Arabian gelding and competed him at the 2010 Trainer’s Challenge of the Unwanted Horse.
Over the last five years I have volunteered hundreds of hours providing graphic design, story writing, and photography for the Minnesota Walker publication for the Minnesota Walking Horse Association and cover designs for the Heritage Highlights publication for the International Heritage Walking Horse Society. Both non profit organizations are supporters of humanely treated naturally gaited Tennessee Walking Horses.
NTAWH Grant
Jennie Jackson riding TWH stallion Champagne Watchout in piaffe en gaite.
The NTAWH award includes a grant to use in furthering my gaited dressage education with my mentor Jennie Jackson to which I am so grateful. Not only has Jennie Jackson accomplished what no other person in history has by training and showing a Tennessee Walking Horse to the highest levels of dressage, but Jennie and her husband Nate have been on the front lines for over 30 years fighting against the soring and abuse that has tarnished the TWH industry. I am humbled to know them as mentors and friends.
I am honored to receive this recognition award by the United States Humane Society “Now That’s a Walking Horse” Program and am so thankful to obtain a grant to further my gaited dressage training with my mentor Jennie Jackson.
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