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Dressage for the Gaited Horse

Research Proves Chest Muscles Key for Balance & Collection

Research proves importance of developing the chest muscles for balance and collection

Research by Dr. Hilary Clayton proves the chest muscles are a key to balance and collection. What does this mean for the naturally gaited horse?

Research Proves the Importance of the Chest Muscles for Balance & Collection

By Jennifer Klitzke

The article: Equine Biomechanics Research the Significance of a Horses Chest Sling Muscles has opened my eyes of awareness! This research by highly credentialed veterinarian Hilary Clayton, BVMS, PhD, DACVSMR, FRCVS spans over 40 years of collecting data on gait analysis for dressage horses, most recently in the McPhail Equine Performance Center at Michigan State University where she conducted studies to evaluate a horse’s body during collection.

Dr. Clayton is not only an accomplished research veterinarian. She knows the how’s and why’s of collection and balance from the inside out. Dr. Clayton is a United States Dressage Federation Bronze, Silver, and Gold medalist, which requires showing through the Grand Prix level.

“I’ve been studying equine biomechanics for over 40 years,” said Dr. Clayton. “And I am convinced that understanding the action of the horse’s sling muscles and the role of the forelimbs are crucial to understanding the mechanics of self-carriage in the dressage horse.”

Awakening to the Biomechanics of Balance

I dreamed of owning a horse from the time I was three. Then in 1988, when my career could support a horse, I became the proud owner of a five-year-old Trakehner/ thoroughbred gelding named Seili. Dressage became my passion and study. Seili’s lofty trot was far from smooth, yet I learned to ride and show him as an adult amateur dressage rider/trainer.

Seili first recognized show

Dressage taught me to stretch my horse’ top line, engage the hindquarters, and encourage my horse to step deeper under the belly at a trot as the energy carried through the body to the bit.

Seili and I did lots and lots of long and low trotting on a 20-meter circle to strengthen his top line muscles. As an adult amateur dressage rider/trainer, it took us several years to move from Training Level to First Level and then Second Level.

Several years of long and low didn’t prepare us for Second Level

Second Level dressage is when the horse demonstrates collection and balance through movements as the shoulder-in, haunches-in, walk pirouettes, and transitions between collected and medium gaits.

Several years of long and low didn’t teach us collection and balance. Several years of long and low taught us to travel on the forehand. Second Level was like starting our training all over again.

It took a couple more years of schooling Second Level before Seili and I were ready to show Second Level. The exercises of shoulder-in, haunches-in, walk pirouette, and transitions between gaits did their job to develop balance and collection. All along I had thought my horse become lighter and more balanced because I had engaged the hindquarters to step deeper under the belly with the hind legs, activate the abdominal muscles to lift the back and raise the wither. Then capture the energy through his body to the bit.

Yet it never occurred to me these balancing exercises activated the shoulder and pectoral muscles.

The chest muscles were never talked about: Not in my lessons, not in the clinics I attended, not in the books I read, not in the videos I watched.

My Trakehner/Thoroughbred and I began schooling Third Level dressage before his age took over, and we dropped out of competition. When Seili reached his mid 20s, I began searching for another horse.

Bumpy to Smooth Gaits

Seili’s bumpy trot made me long for a smoother ride. That’s when I began my search for a naturally smooth gaited horse.

On a cold February day, a just turning three-year-old naturally gaited Tennessee walking horse named Makana met me at the fence and warmed my heart. She became my first smooth gaited horse on Valentine’s Day 2007.

I applied the dressage principles I had learned with my new gaited horse. We did lots of long and low on a 20-meter circle at a walk and flat walk to develop her top line muscles. I encouraged her to step deeper under her body to increase her depth of stride.

second thoughts about long and low
shoulder in

As Makana matured, I began balancing exercises as the shoulder-in, haunches-in, rein back, and transitions between the smooth gaits.

Then I learned of a DVD by Lisa Maxwell: Getting Started with Lightness: The French Classical Dressage of Francois Baucher as taught by Jean Claude Racinet presented by one of his students Lisa Maxwell. This DVD introduced the counted walk—something I had never heard of before.

Jean Claude Racinet's book and Lisa Maxwell's DVD
Jean Claude Racinet’s book Another Horsemanship and Lisa Maxwell’s DVD Getting Started In Lightness: The French Classical Dressage of Francois Baucher as taught by Jean Claude Racinet presented by one of his students Lisa Maxwell.

When I began teaching the counted walk to my naturally gaited Tennessee walking horse is when I began to FEEL balance like I had never felt before. Balance feels like she is lowering behind, rounding her back beneath me, and lifting her wither, neck and head while lightening her forehand.

counted walk

shoulder in on a circle with a naturally gaited Tennessee walking horse.
Lateral exercises at a slow collected walk help the naturally gaited horse develop balance.

Still, all along, I believed that lightening the forehand and raising the wither were due to the engaging the hindquarters. Yes, this is part of the equation, but Dr. Clayton’s research opened my eyes. The important role the shoulder and pectoral muscles play in collection and balance is as much of an epiphany to me as it must have been to people who learned that the world was round, not flat!

Over 30 years of dressage study never taught the importance of engaging the shoulder and pectoral muscles in order to raise the wither and lighten the forehand until Dr. Clayton’s research proves it.

Now I know WHY the shoulder-in, shoulder-out, rein back, and counted walk are so effective in developing balance and collection. Now I know why I FEEL balance and collection during these exercises, because they activate the very muscles that lift the wither and lighten the forehand. 

What does Dr. Clayton’s research mean for the naturally gaited horse?

Thanks to Dr. Clayton I have new eyes of awareness as I ride and train my naturally gaited Tennessee walking horse, Makana, and fox trotting horse, Lady.

Do you have a gaited horse that feels heavy on the forehand, like riding in a car with no suspension in front as your horse pounds the ground with their front feet? Does your horse lean heavy in your hands?

Well, I did. That’s my naturally gaited fox trotting mare, Lady.

Long and low on the forehand
Here is my naturally gaited fox trotting horse, Lady, in a long and low position. While she is relaxed, she is disengaged from behind (not stepping deep under the body), has a hollow back and collapsed pectoral muscles. She is not effectively developing the top line muscles in the position, she is traveling on the forehand, and behind the bit.

Bit problem or posture problem

I had been conditioned to think “back to front” in my dressage riding. Before learning about Dr. Clayton’s research, I had been trying to engage Lady from behind to lighten the forehand. Lady’s response: rush quicker and get heavier in my hands. Not the result I hoped for. So I tried all kinds of bits. Same result.

Dr. Clayton’s research helped me notice when Lady gets heavy in my hands, it is because she is heavy on the forehand. Why? Lady had slouching chest muscles. Lady didn’t have a bit problem. She had a posture problem. It’s like Lady had a flat tire in her chest. Once I began to inflate her flat tire with chest-engaging exercises, Lady became lighter in my hands and more balanced.

2024 Lady pelham shoulder-in on a circle

Dr. Clayton’s research proves to me the answer lies in chest-engaging exercises to help Lady find balance and collection. Anytime Lady feels heavy in my hands, I transition her to exercises like the shoulder-in on a small circle and shoulder-out, pivot the fore, counted walk, or rein back.

These exercises activate Lady’s shoulder and pectoral muscles while they also engage the hindquarters and abdominal muscles. The result of engaging Lady’s chest-engaging exercises: she becomes more balanced, lighter in my hand, and lighter on the forehand.

Rein back
The rein back engages the hindquarters and abdominal muscles to lift the back and engaging the chest muscles raises the wither.

Whether you ride a naturally smooth gaited horse or a non-gaited trotting horse, Dr. Clayton’s research about chest muscles for developing balance can help you no matter what stage of dressage training your horse is at.

2021 Lady's smooth gait with contact
Lady’s smooth gait today has more balance and lightness.

Learn more about Dressage for the Gaited Horse

Many thanks to Dr. Hilary Clayton, BVMS, PhD, DACVSMR, FRCVS for her equine research that can help us improve our horse’s quality of balanced movement.

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

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Dressage for the Gaited Horse

Quality Step to Quality Steps

Are naturally gaited horses supposed to be smooth? Why do gaited horse fall in and out of a smooth gait or not at all? How can a naturally gaited horse develop quality smooth gaits?

Developing Quality Smooth Gaits One Step at a Time

By Jennifer Klitzke

Lots of people buy a naturally gaited horse believing they automatically offer a smooth gait all the time. Some gaited horses are all born with this ability, but most need training to develop a consistent smooth gait.

Dressage is one form of training for the naturally gaited horse to develop quality smooth gaits. Through exercises that develop relaxation, balance, rhythm, connection, symmetry and engagement, a gaited horse can develop quality smooth gaits on cue.

How? With three important keys.

1. Know the difference between a quality smooth step and a step that is unbalanced, rushed, hollow, tense, or disengaged.

2. Practice quality smooth steps.

3. Stop and reward the horse before the steps get pacey, out of balance, tense or hurried.

In the beginning it might be one or two steps. Then it leads to a few quality steps. Over time the few steps become a few minutes of quality smooth steps.

Avoid practicing poor quality steps, because that’s the muscle memory you’ll create. Practice consistent quality smooth steps to deliver clear communication to your horse.

When my horse becomes unbalanced, loses rhythm and rushes, hollows or becomes disengaged, that’s a great clue to simply slow down to a relaxed and balanced walk and re-establish quality smooth steps.

When I’ve re-established a quality walk, then I transition to the smooth gait a quality step to quality steps.

Over time, a few quality steps turn into circles of quality steps. Seconds into minutes for longer durations of quality smooth gait over time.

How can you tell the difference between a quality smooth step from a smooth step that is unbalanced, rushed, hollow, tense, or disengaged?

I’ve been perusing my equestrian education since 1988 and there is always more to learn. Taking lessons, attending clinics, studying DVDs, reading books, and recording rides are great ways to learn. All of this helps me become a more effective rider and better communicator with my naturally gaited horses.

Good dressage lessons are important to gain timely feedback. This feedback helps the rider develop the feeling of right and the feeling of the horse falling out of balance, rushing, hollowing, tensing, or disengaging and knowing what to do to regain the feeling of right.

What if my naturally gaited horse paces instead of walks?

Again, a good dressage instructor can help you determine why your horse is pacing.

There are many reasons why a naturally gaited horse paces:

Sometimes the horse has developed the habit of pacing.

A dressage instructor can help you learn exercises like shoulder in, shoulder out, haunches in at a slow walk that help to break up the pace into a four-step walk.

Sometimes the horse paces because it is tense in the mouth and back.

Lateral exercises also break up tension and help to soften, supple and strengthen the naturally gaited horse.

Sometimes the horse paces because the equipment causes pain.

A good dressage instructor can help you find an english or western saddle that fits you and your horse without pinching or hollowing the back. An instructor can help you learn how to develop a balanced riding position (ear, hip, heal) over the horse’s center of balance. This helps to be an easier load to carry and not throw the horse out of balance.

A good dressage instructor can also teach you how to help the naturally gaited horse accept and follow a light snaffle bit contact. This relaxes the mouth, lower jaw, and poll and has an effect on the entire horse.

Sometimes a horse paces because the rider throws the rhythm off

The horse’s footfall rhythm can been disrupted when the rider cues at the wrong time. A good dressage instructor with teach you effective timing of aids.

Another reason the horse paces is when the rider doesn’t follow the natural movement of the horse’s head and neck, lower back, hip joints and leg with the belly sway. A good dressage instructor can teach you how to follow the horse’s natural movement without disrupting the timing of steps and without creating tension in the horse.

Sometimes a horse paces because it was born to pace

Is there hope for a naturally horse who was bred to pace? Yes, a good dressage instructor can help you learn all the above and your horse can learn a smoother gait.

Will it be easy? No, but with patience, joy, and perseverance, breaking free from a hard pace is possible.

Video: Quality Step to Quality Steps

In this video I share what I’ve learned from good dressage instructors
about developing quality smooth gaits — one step at a time.

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

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Dressage for the Gaited Horse

Benefits of Teaching the Smooth Gaited Horse a Quality Trot on Cue

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Lady trot

Have you heard people say, “Never trot a gaited horse, because trot will ruin the smooth gait?” I bought a gaited horse for a smooth ride. Yet I discovered how a quality trot on cue can improve the quality of the smooth gait.

Here’s my story.

Benefits of Teaching the Smooth Gaited Horse a Quality Trot on Cue

By Jennifer Klitzke

Walk-trot-canter are my roots. I began dressage with non-gaited horse breeds in 1988. Twenty-nine years later, my youthful mind grew into a grandma body. Dressage with smooth gaited horses launched my new destiny. I thought my posting days were behind me. Then I discovered a quality trot on cue offers great benefits for the naturally gaited horse.

Whoever panicked gaited horse riders by saying trot ruins smooth gait, missed two important facts.

First, the difference between letting a gaited horse trot versus the rider directing the horse into a quality trot on cue. The former lets the horse train the rider. The latter is the rider training the gaited horse.

Secondly, not all trot is the same. Just as not all gait is the same. There are quality smooth gaits that have relaxation, even strides, regular rhythm and tempo. Just as there are poor-quality gaits with short and uneven strides, a hollow frame, irregular rhythm, and a rushed tempo that fall in and out of pace and a smooth gait.

Trotting the naturally gaited horse isn’t for every rider and every horse. If you ask an educated dressage rider, teaching a gaited horse a quality trot on cue has many benefits.

Video: Benefits of Trotting the Gaited Horse on Cue

Benefits of a quality trot on cue for the smooth gaited horse:

  • Helps develop relaxation
  • Develops the top line muscles when ridden in a neutral position
  • Develops rhythm
  • Improves engagement and forward movement without rushing
  • Strengthens the hind quarters for deeper strides reaching under the body
  • The diagonalized motion of trot breaks up a lateral moving pace
Balanced trot on cue with gaited horse
Teaching the naturally gaited horse a quality trot on cue improves rhythm and engagement that can improve these qualities of the smooth natural gaits. Plus, the diagonalized foot fall of the trot can help break up a lateral pace.

Transforming a hard trotting gaited horse with dressage

Lady was purchased from a sale barn. My friend was told she was a six-year-old unregistered gaited horse. Yet the only gaits Lady had were a walk and a hard trot. After a couple years of trail riding on a long floppy rein with Lady, my friend brought her to my place. She wanted to know if Lady had a smooth gait after all.

Dressage rider meets a trail ridden gaited horse

Riding with a light snaffle bit contact was as new to Lady as riding on a long floppy rein to me. I did my best to keep arena riding interesting for Lady. I mixed up our rides with lots of transitions, circles, serpentines, changes of direction along the diagonal, and lateral exercises.

My strategy with Lady: We began with a relaxed state of mind and body beginning at a walk. Then I would increase the tempo before she began trotting. Over time, Lady developed three smooth gaits on cue: a dog walk, a fox walk, and fox trot.

Lady’s smooth gaits aren’t showy, but they are fun to ride, especially on the trail. We see a lot of the forest in a short amount of time and my grandma body doesn’t pay for it later! Plus, I took the dressage to the trail, and it made both Lady and I happy. Dressage made more sense to Lady on the trail than the arena.

I also learned that Lady enjoyed our time together best when I met her halfway. I asked for a smooth gait on cue with a light snaffle bit contact. Then I would release the contact to a long floppy rein as long as she maintained her smooth gait in self-carriage. This was Lady’s reward, and this dressage rider enjoyed another way of riding.

Gaited Dressage for the Trail Horse
Who says dressage needs to be in an arena?

Lady’s first dressage show as a smooth gaited horse

In July 2016, I entered Lady in her first dressage show. It was a North American Western Dressage Virtual Show open to smooth gaited horses. Even unregistered grade horses, like Lady, were welcome to enter!

Lady and I rode a Western Gaited Dressage Intro Test. It included walk, free walk, and a smooth gait which replaced the jog trot. Also, the dressage test required a snaffle bit contact with no floppy reins during the test.

Turns out, Lady was the only smooth gaited horse competing at our level. In her first show, she placed 5th of 9 horses with a score of 60.357%. I was thrilled!

Western Gaited Dressage Intro Test
Lady in her smooth gait while showing her first Western Gaited Dressage Intro Test

The ah-hah moment: Feedback from the dressage judge

The dressage judge provided wonderful written feedback on our dressage test. While I was happy with Lady’s smooth gait, the judge noted where Lady seemed tense and lacked engagement. She also pointed out where Lady moved more relaxed and engaged to work towards that.

The feedback provided helpful insights in our training and what needed improvement. Since our dressage test was recorded, I could watch where the judge made these comments!

The ah-hah moment was realizing the difference between a smooth gait and a QUALITY smooth gait!

Up to this point, developing a smooth gait was my goal. Now I had a new goal: developing quality smooth gait. I began focusing on a relaxed state of mind and body, engagement from behind, and a softer connection with the bridle.

Lady’s response to engagement wasn’t rainbows and unicorns. She resisted by rushing off with tense, short steps until she blasted into a hard, hollow trot. Ooh, my grandma body felt those jolts! Then I had a flash back to my trotting horse days and had an epiphany.

Epiphany: Drawing insights from dressage with non-gaited horses…a quality trot on cue!

The jarring trot jolted my memory back to the days I posted 20-meter circles developing a quality trot on cue. A quality trot helps develop the horse’s top line muscles with a relaxed mind and body, as well as rhythm, connection, and engagement from behind.

Did you know that not all trot is the same?

When a trotting horse is tense and hollow, the trot is a rough ride. When the horse learns to relax its back, engage from behind, and step deeper under its belly, the trot becomes smoother. I learned this to develop a manageable sitting trot. Plus, a relaxed back is beneficial for the horse.

Recalling these benefits of a quality trot on cue became my strategy for Lady. Any time she resisted a quality smooth gait on cue by blasting into a hard trot, I redirected her into a QUALITY trot on cue.

quality trot on cue
While teaching the gaited horse a quality trot on cue, it is important to allow moments for the horse to stretch out and down to stretch the topline muscles and spine. The rider lightens their posting in a two-point position to allow the horse’s back to round. Avoid too many consecutive steps in this position as it drives the horse onto the forehand.

Huh!? Why would I teach trot to the hard trotting gaited horse I just taught a smooth gait?!

The difference between evading through hard trot and teaching a quality trot on cue

There is a big difference between an evasive hard trot the horse chooses and the rider teaching the horse a quality trot on cue.

Lady’s hard trot was an evasion to avoid a quality smooth gait on cue. The hard trot is not quality, nor was it on cue. She would grab the bit and run away in a tense, high headed hollow trot. Left unchecked, Lady was training me.

Instead, I need to teach Lady a new way to trot. I needed to guide her trot into relaxed state of mind and body, moving forward from behind into a light contact with the snaffle bit on a 20-meter circle, and develop an even rhythm and tempo without rushing.

Teaching the gaited horse a quality trot on cue has many benefits:

  • Breaks up lateral pacey movement since trot is a diagonal gait
  • Develops the abdominal muscles to lift the back to a neutral to round position instead of an unhealthy hollow positionStretches the top line muscles and spine, when trotting in a neutral position, which is beneficial to the gaited horse
  • Stretches the outside muscles when performed on a 20-meter circle and promotes symmetry when both directions are stretched
  • Develops the topline muscles of the neck and back instead of the underside neck muscles
  • Encourages engagement which teaches the gaited horse to step deeper under the body with each hind leg step and lift the back to a neutral to round position producing depth of stride to improve the quality of the smooth gait
  • Develops rhythm that improves quality in all gaits
  • Teaches the gaited horse gaits on cue, teaches rider and horse proper roles in the relationship
quality trot
Teaching a smooth gaited horse a quality trot (or soft trot as shown) on cue has many benefits: engagement, rhythm, balance, strengthening the top line muscles, and breaking up pace. This type of trot produces depth of stride which improves the quality of the smooth gait.

After a few circles of quality trot, I cue for the smooth gait. I am amazed how much better the smooth gait has improved after a few circles of quality trot on cue.

Balance gaited horse fox trot
Lady’s easy gait improves in engagement, rhythm, and balance after a few 20-meter circles of quality trot on cue.

My strategy has been to ask Lady for an engaged smooth gait on cue first. If her response is resistance or a lack of engagement, then I cue for a quality trot. It doesn’t take Lady long to prefer an engaged smooth gait over a quality trot on cue.

Second dressage show as a smooth gaited horse

In September 2016, we put our strategy to the test. I entered Lady as a smooth gaited horse in her second Western Gaited Dressage Intro Test with the NAWD Virtual Show.

Not only did Lady’s smooth gait improve with more relaxation and engagement, but she placed 2nd of 11 horses with a score of 64.821%. Lady was the only smooth gaited horse in the class!

Video: Western Gaited Dressage Intro Test

Teaching the smooth gaited horse a quality trot on cue isn’t for every rider or every horse. It has helped my gaited horse, Lady establish more engagement in her smooth gait. Now that she is working in a quality smooth gait with connection, rhythm, relaxation and engagement, I haven’t had to ask for the quality trot on cue.

Will trotting a gaited horse on cue ruin the smooth gait?

Whoever began the myth, “Never trot a gaited horse, because trot will ruin the smooth gait,” maybe didn’t know the difference between letting the gaited horse hard trot versus training the gaited horse a quality trot on cue.

A quality trot on cue teaches the gaited horse rhythm, relaxation, balance, and forward movement without rushing to develop engagement, a softer connection, a deeper stride beneath the body with each hind leg, and it breaks up a lateral moving pace.

Lady fox trot
My naturally gaited fox trotting mare, Lady in a quality, balanced fox trot with contact.

That’s where years of dressage on trotting horses have paid off for me. I never imagined that I would be trotting a smooth gaited horse on purpose, since I got a gaited horse for a SMOOTH ride. Yet I discovered that teaching the gaited horse a quality trot on cue can improve the quality of the smooth gait.

In the end Lady prefers an engaged smooth gait over a quality trot on cue any day, and that makes us both happy!

More Exercises for Gaited Horses to improve quality smooth gaits.

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

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Gaited Horse Stories

Many Circles Complete My Whole

Over the last thirty-five years, I have studied from many circles of thought that have shaped my riding paradigm with dressage as the basis of communication.

By Jennifer Klitzke

As an avid dressage rider and passionate equestrian of humane training methods for over three decades, I have studied from many circles of thought. Throughout this blog you will encounter the sources, experiences, and people who have shaped the foundation of how I ride, train, and relate with my naturally gaited horses using dressage as the basis of communication in everything we do.

Among the many circles of thought and experience that encompass my riding paradigm are German dressage, French dressage, natural horsemanship, naturally gaited horse training, biomechanics of riding, biomechanics of movement, natural hoof trimming, horse care, showing dressage, cross country, stadium jumping, rail class, endurance, competitive trail, trail obstacles, and cow sorting leagues.

The common denominator of the many circles of thought and experience I embrace is humane training with respect for the horse. No abusive methods. No gadgets or artificial enhancements. And consistent communication using dressage.

Lady free walk and fox trot
Lady free walk and fox trot.

Lifelong learning

Since learning is a lifelong study, how I relate with horses today has changed since I first began. I began with one circle of thought, mainly because when I began, one-on-one lessons from a local instructor and book learning were my only options. Today through digital media, we are blessed with instant access to dozens of humane training options from thousands of unique perspectives.

When I encounter a new circle, I give it critical thought, dabble in its tips and concepts, and take relevant parts into my riding and training. Sometimes I drop old ideas for new ideas, but I still hold onto the many circles. One circle doesn’t replace the rest.

Learning is an investment of time, money and commitment—especially the study and application of dressage. I have invested a college education’s worth of lessons over the years. Timely feedback through regular lessons taught me how to ride with feel; develop a partnership of trust and a consistent communication system with my horse using my reins, legs, seat, and weight aids; find a balanced riding position over the horse’s center of gravity; interpret the horse’s body language; and help my horse develop full range of motion and quality gaits for long-term soundness.

collected fox trot
Lady’s collected fox trot.

How the many circles improve my dressage

I like to embrace effective humane training methods from more than one circle of thought to enhance my horse’s relaxation of mind and body, balance, forward rhythm and tempo without rushing, connection, quality movement, suppleness, and build a harmonious partnership. I believe these qualities make for a great dressage foundation no matter which circle of thought offers the insight.

I think I’ve become a better dressage rider after studying German dressage and French dressage. As a result, I blend precision and timing of aids with lightness of philosophy and joy in my heart.

From jambette to steps of Spanish Walk with a Tennessee Walking Horse
From jambette to steps of Spanish Walk with a Tennessee Walking Horse.

I think I’ve become a better dressage rider by learning from both local instructors and traveling clinicians. Local instructors help me persevere in my growth over time while traveling clinicians offer new insights from their breadth and depth of experience.

I think I’ve become a better dressage rider after studying the work of natural horsemanship cowboys. These horsemen and women have taught me the value of communicating with a horse in ways a horse understands, the importance of establishing trusted leadership in the relationship, and the benefits of groundwork and desensitization.

Trail obstacle with gaited horse
This trail obstacle is harder than it looks!

I think I’ve become a better dressage rider by breaking up arena work with trail riding, endurance riding, trail obstacles, and cow sorting leagues. The hills and uneven terrain improve our balance and stamina while the latter put my communication through the aids to the test in real time.

Marvel hits the trail solo
Marvel enjoys exploring.

I think I’ve become a better dressage rider after studying the anatomy of the hoof and understanding it’s impact on movement to promote soundness without shoes. While I’m not a professional farrier, I am an educated care giver.

I think I’ve become a better dressage rider after spending time riding bareback. Through riding bareback, I’ve improved my balance and core and a better sense of feel.

Makana Tennessee walking horse flat walk flexed poll bareback
Riding my naturally gaited Tennessee walking horse barefoot and bareback at a flat walk.

I think I’ve become a better dressage rider through showing, even when I’m the only rider on a horse that doesn’t trot. And I think trotting horses have made me a better rider of naturally gaited horses. Practicing for a dressage show has forced me to face what I’d rather avoid. Shows challenge me to strengthen our weaknesses and become more ambidextrous as a rider and help my horse develop symmetry.

showing dressage with a gaited horse
Showing Makana, my naturally gaited Tennessee walking horse at a traditional schooling dressage show at a flat walk instead of a trot.

Will we be in the Olympics someday? No, but I think I’m a better dressage rider than I’d be if I only stuck to one circle of thought.

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

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Gaited Horse Training

A Year in Review: Dressage with an Unstarted Gaited Horse

A Year in Reiew: Dressage with an Unstarted Gaited Horse

A year ago, I acquired a three-year-old unstarted gaited horse thanks to the help of a friend. Today this four-year-old and I are riding dressage solo through the woods. Here’s a review of this colt’s first year under saddle with dressage.

A Year in Review: Dressage with an Unstarted Gaited Horse

By Jennifer Klitzke

Mary and I have been horse friends for many years. Then COVID closed the world and drew everyone apart. The internet helped us stay connected, at least 1D. It is hard to ride horses that way, though. Thankfully, my horses are near.

Only, my horses are getting up in age. So are we, according to my husband.

While my husband has been set on downsizing and golf courses, I am way too young for retirement. I know many who still ride non-gaited and smooth gaited horses into their senior years. That means I’ve got at least one more horse to raise. After all, whacking a ball with a stick hasn’t been my gig. (Dreams of gaiting the manicured greens, on the other hand, that’s my jam!)

“No. No. No!” Said my husband every time I brought up the idea of another horse.

10-9-21-marvel
Meeting Marvel, a 3-year-old unstarted naturally gaited Tennessee Walking Horse / Spotted Saddle Horse gelding.

On October 7, 2021, “No. No. No!” didn’t stop me. I went to see him anyway. His name was Marvel, a three-year-old, unstarted Tennessee Walking Horse / Spotted Saddle Horse gelding. I had a feeling about him. It became an even stronger feeling when I saw him. Kind of like seeing the puppy at the Humane Society, only x 10.

Just how would I convince my husband to change his mind?!

Meanwhile, my Facebook activity tipped off Mary. Likes and comments about horse rescues and rehoming gaited horses caught her eye. Unaware of my husband’s resistance, she offered to help with the rehoming fee. Turns out, her willingness to help, was enough to sway my husband’s “No. No. No!” to “yes.”

Elated, Marvel arrived October 16, 2021. It would be up to me now to prove this decision was worth pushing off his downsizing golf course retirement dreams.

Marvel(ous) Milestones

Recap of our first year starting a gaited horse under saddle with dressage

Introducing the bridle to a naturally gaited Tennessee walking horse
Here’s Marvel getting acquainted with a Mullen Happy Mouth full-cheek snaffle bit.
Learn More: Introducing a Gaited Horse to a Snaffle Bit
introducing the bridle
Introducing the bridle and working in hand helped Marvel learn to accept and follow a light snaffle bit contact while learning stretching exercises at a halt and then in hand at a walk. This became excellent preparation for saddle training.
Learn More: Introducing the Bridle and Working In Hand
lunging a gaited horse
Marvel and I learn communication through lunging. First with a halter and lunge line, then with a snaffle bit and halter, then with a saddle no stirrups, bit and halter. Later we added the stirrups. Learn more: Lunging a Gaited Horse
Liberty and jambette with a gaited horse
My Tennessee Walking Horse / Spotted Saddle Horse, Marvel, enjoys liberty, jambette, and Spanish Walk. Learn More: Jambette and Spanish Walk with a Gaited Horse
starting a gaited horse under saddle using dressage first time in saddle
Six months of lunging and in-hand training a gaited horse paid off when I began saddle training. Pictured is my first time sitting on Marvel’s back.
Learn More: Starting a Gaited Horse Under Saddle
Fun to visit with Mary and watch her and Marvel interact.
Working the walk to develop quality smooth gait
Working the walk to develop quality smooth gait.
Marvel hits the trail solo
Marvel enjoys exploring. (Thank you, Mary for taking this beautiful photo of us!)

My husband has witnessed the joy Marvel has brought the last year and realizes he doesn’t have to live on a golf course to golf (and we can push back retirement for another day)!

Did somebody say cheese
Did somebody say, “Cheese?”

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