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Dressage for the Gaited Horse

Introducing a Gaited Horse to a Snaffle Bit

Introducing a gaited horse to a snaffle bit

Teaching the naturally gaited horse to relax the mouth, lower jaw, and poll can relax the body to perform smooth gaits. Learn the benefits of using a snaffle bit and how to begin.

Introducing a Gaited Horse to a Snaffle Bit

By Jennifer Klitzke

Depending upon which training method you choose with your gaited horse will determine how you communicate with your horse, which tools are used, how the tools are used, and why.

Dressage is my method of choice in training my gaited horses―specifically classical French dressage. In dressage, the rider communicates with the horse through the hand, leg, seat, and weight aids. The rider’s fingers gently communicate with the horse’s mouth in a meaningful way through the reins attached to a gentle snaffle bit. The horse learns to seek and follow a light contact with the bit, and the rider gains awareness to gently follow the horse’s natural head and neck motion with relaxed shoulders, arms, and fingers. This light contact between the rider’s fingers and the horse’s mouth is important for communication.

Introducing a gaited horse to a snaffle bit helps the horse learn to seek and accept a light contact leading to smooth gait. When bits are misused, horse learn to resist contact out of fear, pain, or tension. This leads to pace, step pace, hard trot, and even running off.

In this post, we will explore:

  • Selecting a snaffle bit for the gaited horse
  • Introducing the bit and working in hand
  • Benefits of teaching a gaited horse to accept and follow a snaffle bit contact
  • Demonstration videos

Selecting a snaffle bit for the gaited horse

Snaffle bits and curb bits (or shank bits) have different actions on the horse. Snaffle bits do not have curb levers creating poll pressure. In dressage, snaffles are designed for the rider to communicate with the horse through a light contact leading to bit acceptance.

Over the years, I have collected many snaffle bits. Snaffles are made of rubber, plastic, and a variety of different tasting metals. There are one-piece (Mullen) bits, single-joint and double-joint snaffles. Some double-joint snaffles have a lozenge, a link, or roller. (Use caution when selecting links and rollers as some can pinch the horse’s tongue and cause pain.)

Below are snaffle bits I have used to train my naturally smooth gaited horses.

EquiKind Mullen Full Cheek Snaffle Bit
Plastic Mullen Full Cheek Snaffle Bit

Full Cheek Mullen Snaffle Bit

A full-cheek snaffle bit is a great choice for young, green horses who are wiggly as they learn, like my three-year-old naturally gaited Tennessee walking horse, Marvel. This will be our go-to bit for his first year of training.

The full-cheek pieces offer stability to keep the bit from sliding through the horse’s mouth while they learn how to accept and follow contact. A plastic Mullen snaffle bit is great for horses with a sensitive mouth and horses who dislike the taste of metal.

fulmer full cheek snaffle
Fulmer single-joint snaffle

Fulmer Snaffle Bit

The Fulmer snaffle is one of my favorites for training gaited horses using dressage. The rings are independent from the full cheek pieces and allow greater communication with the horse and rider through the various lateral dressage exercises. The Fulmer snaffle is also available with a double joint.

loose ring snaffle
Loose-ring snaffle with lozenge.

Loose Ring Snaffle Bit

After the horse is established in following contact, many dressage riders change to a loose ring snaffle. There are other ring styles as well, such as the D-ring and egg-butt snaffle bits. Many riders start out with a D-ring or an egg-butt. However, the full-cheek and Fulmer snaffles offer the best protection from the bit sliding through the horse’s mouth.

In all cases with snaffle bits, the reins are attached to the rings.

Baucher snaffle bit with lozenge

Baucher Snaffle Bit

The Baucher snaffle bit is available in a variety of mouth pieces: Mullen, single-joint, French link, with a lozenge, and of various metals or plastic. Many people believe that this bit offers poll pressure. However, according to bit expert, Charmae Bell of BitBank Australia, Baucher snaffle bits actually relieve poll pressure. Her BitBank Australia YouTube channel is a terrific resource to learn about bits and bit action.

Snaffle Bit Size

Five-inch snaffle bits are a common width. I have many five-inch snaffle bits, a few five-and-a-half inch snaffles I used with my late 16-2 H Trakehner/Thoroughbred and four-and-a-half-inch snaffles I used with my late 14-1 H Arabian. Select a size large enough not to pinch the corners of the horse’s mouth.

Is a Single-Joint Snaffle Bit Abusive?

Some people believe all single-joint snaffles are abusive, because they have been told single-joint snaffles have a nutcracker effect in the horse’s mouth. I have ridden with a variety of FEI dressage legal snaffle bits since 1988 including single-joint snaffles. In my opinion, any bit can be abusive to the horse when used incorrectly, when not properly fitted, or when the wrong snaffle is selected for the horse’s training.

A single-joint snaffle isn’t for every horse. Horses have preferences and differing mouth conformations and sensitivities where a double joint or Mullen may be more suitable or comfortable. As horses progress in their training, bits are often changed. Some horses have been mishandled and have become defensive. These horses will need a gentle snaffle bit along with an empathetic handler who has patience and educated hands to overcome bit avoidance.

Any bit can be harsh to the horse when used incorrectly or when not properly fitted.

It is important to point out HOW a rider uses a bit, whether single joint, double joint, Mullen, or curb (shank). Many gaited horse riders are taught to hold their hands out to each side in a low, fixed position with contact. Some riders pull back on the reins with both hands. These actions put pressure on the horse’s tongue and cause pain. Pain leads to bit avoidance. Bit avoidance leads to anxiety, tension, pacing, running away, head tossing, getting behind the bit, putting the tongue over the bit, gapping the mouth, and more. This is the opposite of relaxation.

A better way to ride with a snaffle bit is with a light following contact, the elbows at the rider’s sides and the arms bending at the elbows, signaling with the rider’s palms facing up and an upward action. Cueing with an upward action communicates with the corners of the horse’s lips which is a softer and gentler way to communicate. Pulling back on the reins with low hands presses the bit into the tongue which causes discomfort. Bit acceptance occurs when a horse develops a positive and comfortable experience with the bit. Developing bit acceptance takes time, consistent training, awareness of the horse’s body language and our application of our rein aids. Bit acceptance takes patience, especially with a horse that has learned to be defensive. Bit acceptance leads to mental and physical relaxation. That’s what we want in dressage, and that’s what we need for smooth gaits.

Which Snaffle Bit Do You Pick and Why?

Select a comfortable bit that encourages acceptance and relaxation versus pain, anxiety and tension which lead to bit avoidance.

Introducing the bridle
Here’s Marvel, my three-year-old Tennessee Walking Horse / Spotted Saddle Horse getting acquainted with a Mullen full-cheek snaffle bit.

I am blessed to have another opportunity to start a young, gaited horse, thanks to my friend Mary. Marvel is an unstarted, three-year-old Tennessee Walking Horse / Spotted Saddle Horse. He is a clean slate, so starting him with a comfortable bit and teaching him bit acceptance will go a long way.

I have also restarted many horses who have had a negative experience with the bit. It takes time to develop trust with a horse, even more time with a bit resistant horse.

Maybe you can relate:

Have you ever ridden a tense, anxious, and stiff gaited horse who runs off the minute you take up contact with the reins or curls their nose behind the vertical to avoid contact? Can you recall whether the gaits were smooth or rough? Did you experience pace, step pace, a lateral canter or hard trot?

For me, I notice whenever a gaited horse is tense, anxious, and stiff undesirable rough and jarring gaits soon follow. On the flip side, relaxation produces the quality smooth gaits I desire, and that’s what dressage for the gaited horse is all about.

After having a vet inspect the teeth for a float, the next step begins by selecting a well-fitting and gentle snaffle bit.

For Marvel, I am using a plastic Mullen full-cheek snaffle bit. The full-cheek pieces keep the bit from sliding through his mouth while he learns. The plastic Mullen bit is gentle for his sensitive mouth as he learns how to accept and follow contact through stretching exercises. Young horses are wiggly as they learn, and this bit offers stability as I gently guide him through our first year of training until we are well started under saddle.

How to Introduce a Gaited Horse to a Snaffle Bit

Teaching the gaited horse to relax the mouth, lower jaw, and poll can relax the body to perform smooth gaits.

The best way to introduce the gaited horse to the snaffle bit is from the ground by working in hand. This strips away the complexities of the rider’s leg, weight and seat aids so the gaited horse learns how to accept and follow a light snaffle bit contact.

After the horse learns how to accept and follow a light snaffle bit contact with work in hand from the ground then the same exercises can be taught from saddle at a halt. Then the horse is moved into a slow walk and a slow gait over time. Each progression of tempo adds more complexity. This is why beginning with work in hand from the ground is the simplest way to start teaching the horse how to accept and follow a snaffle bit contact. Any time the horse gets tense, the rider backs down to a halt to re-establish relaxation and begin again. As the horse and riding advance in training, relaxation can be applied in motion.

Benefits of Introducing a Snaffle Bit to the Horse from the Ground with Work in Hand

  • Educates the rider’s hands and the horse’s mouth:
    • Educates the rider to teach the gaited horse how to seek and follow a light, steady, even contact with the snaffle bit
    • Teaches the horse to taste the snaffle bit and swallow which aids in relaxation of the mouth, lower jaw, and poll
    • Brings awareness to the rider about the importance of helping the horse relax the mouth, lower jaw, and poll
  • Teaches the rider how to help the horse find balance and not lean on the rider’s hands to develop lightness to the hand:
    • A light contact is the goal; The rider doesn’t pull on the bit and the horse doesn’t lean on the bit
    • Any time the horse leans on the bit, the rider immediately applies a demi arret (quick motions upward of the bit towards the ears of the horse and releases); Upward motion to apply contact to the corners of the mouth; When the horse stops leaning and carries its own head and neck, the rider stops the demi arret
    • When the horse learns to carry its own head and neck and not lean on the rider’s hands, the horse learns to shift its balance from the forehand towards the hindquarters and raise its whither by engaging the chest and shoulder muscles
balance in hand
Beginning of balance is achieved when the horse is no longer leaning on my hands and is holding up his head and neck on his own.

Neck extension
Neck extension stretches the top line muscles and spine.

  • Stretching exercises teach the horse how to follow the snaffle:
    • The rider learns to hold a light and even contact with both reins and teaches the horse to follow an even, steady contact
    • The rider guides the horse in stretching exercises upward, outwards and to each side at a 45- to 90-degree. This allows the horse to stretch the outside neck muscles while remaining balanced; and teaching the horse to follow the contact to extend its head and neck down and out to stretch the top line muscles and spine. (Ideally the poll (space between he horse’s ears) should be no lower than the height of the whither, so the horse remains in balance)

When the gaited horse understands how to follow contact, the rider can direct the horse into relaxation of the mouth, jaw, and poll. This relaxation is essential in dressage to direct the gaited horse into positions of stretching, flexing the neck and poll, and rebalancing.

After the horse learns these exercises in hand at a halt, the rider can begin to direct the horse in hand at a slow walk. When flexing the head and neck at a 45 to 90-degree angle, the horse’s body remains straight. This exercise is called flechi droit. It teaches the horse lightness, balance, and straightness in the shoulders and prepares the horse for a balanced small circle. This also stretches the outside neck muscles. During these exercises, it is important to slow down and allow the horse to take smaller relaxed steps.

Work in hand
Working in hand at a walk.

After the horse walks straight while bending in the neck, then directed the horse into a neck extension on a small 8-10 meter circle (volte). This in hand exercise helps the horse learn balance, lightness, and straightness as it follows an even, light, steady snaffle bit contact.

Work-in-hand is teaching me how to direct my gaited horse to find balance and accept a light, bit contact. This groundwork will make it easier to train my gaited horse from the saddle. 

Marvel loves his Mullen snaffle bit. Maintaining this enthusiasm will be important going forward until the day we begin saddle training.

Demonstration Videos

Introducing a Gaited Horse to the Bit, Part 1

Introducing a Gaited Horse to the Bit, Part 2

Benefits of Teaching a Gaited Horse to Follow a Snaffle Bit

I learned these Educating the Mouth exercises in 2014 and began applying them with my gaited horses Makana and Lady, and now Marvel.

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

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Gaited Horse Training

Next Chapter of Quality Smooth Gaits

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

Here’s my story…

Next Chapter of Quality Smooth Gaits

By Jennifer Klitzke

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

Why dressage for the gaited horse?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Retiring?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Meeting Marvel.

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

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

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

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

Introducing the next chapter of quality smooth gaits: Marvel

Marvel is a curious character and a friendly fellow.

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

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

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

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

Forwardness without Rushing, Rider Position for Gaited Horses

Forward Movement without Leg Aids

Forward movement without leg aids
Naturally gaited Tennessee walking horse in forward movement, relaxation, rhythm, balance and contact in the flat walk. Horse is ridden bareback and barefoot.

Do you have a gaited horse that is lazy? I’ve discovered the key to forward movement with my smooth gaited Tennessee walking horse: Stop using my leg aids.

Here’s my story…

Forward Movement without Leg Aids

By Jennifer Klitzke

Forward movement without rushing is a requirement in dressage. Other requirements are relaxation (of mind and body), rhythm (consistent tempo and strides), contact (acceptance of the bit), straightness (developing evenness in both directions), and collection (balance) as you move through the training process with the horse.

Coming from decades of German dressage, I learned to ride my horse forward from the hind quarters, through the body and into a snaffle bit contact. I developed an unconscious habit of driving my horse forward with my legs and seat, clucking and squeezing my calves against the sides of my horse to move forward with each step and into the contact. If that didn’t prompt forward movement, I would add the tap-tap-tap of a dressage whip.

I couldn’t figure out why my horse had less and less forward movement.

I explored saddle fit, my horse’s physical condition, and I even changed horse’s diet. Nothing seemed to get my horse to move forward without my continued prodding. I figured I just had a lazy horse.

The same thing began to happen when I began training my Tennessee walking horse until I stumbled upon a new training approach which helped me realize my error.

Separate the “go” from the “stop” for forward movement

At a classical French dressage clinic, I was introduced to the book Another Horsemanship by the late Jean Claude Racinet, a classical French dressage master who followed the work of Baucher’s second training method. Racinet’s book opened my eyes to a new idea: separating my leg “go” aids from my hand “stop” aids.

By combining my riding aids: driving my horse forward with my legs and seat into a snaffle bit contact, two things happened:

  1. My horse became confused, “Do you mean ‘go’ or ‘stop’? I cannot do both simultaneously.”
  2. When my horse chose to slow down, I developed the habit of becoming the engine that drove my horse forward with each step.

Lightness to the Leg for Forward Movement

From French dressage, I learned that forward movement is the horse’s responsibility not the rider’s. The rider needs to train the horse this responsibility. The rider needs to teach the horse to move forward with ONE squeeze and release of the calves and maintain this forward movement without continued squeezing.

This is how to obtain lightness to the leg for forward movement:
  • First, teach horse what the leg aid means.
  • Important: do not combine the leg aid with rein action.
  • Second, immediately cease using leg aids when the horse moves forward.
  • Third, be consistent in the application to train the horse to maintain lightness to the leg without prodding the horse along with each step.

Looking back, I realize that I didn’t have lazy horses. I had either confused my horses by combining my “stop” and “go” aids or dulled my horses to my leg aids with my continued squeezing with each step.

Riding with awareness to develop forward movement

Combining my stop and go aids had become an unconscious habit, so did driving my horse forward with each step.

As soon as I changed my training method to be responsive to the first leg cue without combining my go and stop aids, my horse maintained forward movement without continued leg aids with each step.

The concept of obtaining forwardness without leg aids works for someone like me who has gotten into the habit of squeezing with each step. Now I am riding with more intentionality and awareness of cause and effect, which I believe will replace those unconscious bad habits over time.

Forward movement is possible without leg aids. The calves have a place, just not with EVERY step the horse takes.

flat walk bareback loose rein
Naturally gaited Tennessee walking horse moving in forwardness, relaxation, and rhythm in the flat walk. Horse is ridden bareback, barefoot, and on a loose rein.

Let me know your thoughts by sending me a message. Stay connected by subscribing to the Naturally Gaited youtube channel and “like” us on facebook.com/naturallygaited.

Balance for Gaited Horses

Second Thoughts About Long And Low

Second Thoughts about Long and Low for the Naturally Gaited Horse

By Jennifer Klitzke

A long and low free walk is a great way to break up pace for the gaited horse. Just make sure you begin with relaxation and balance to maximize your efforts.

Long and low or free walk on a long rein

Dressage is a form of training where the rider communicates with the horse using rein, leg, and seat aids to lead the horse into relaxation, balance, and forward movement without rushing, as well as symmetry and flexibility over time to develop the horse’s full range of motion and quality gaits for long term soundness.

In dressage there are many expressions within a gait. Long and low or free walk on a long rein is one of those expressions. The free walk is a required movement during all dressage tests—Introductory through Advanced.

A quality free walk shows the horse in a state of relaxation. The horse stretches forward, out and down with the head and neck into a light contact with the snaffle bit. The rider follows the natural head and neck motion with relaxed arms and follows the belly sway of the horse with relaxed hip joints. The horse walks with even rhythm, deep steps with each the hind leg under the belly for length of stride and over track.

Long and low or free walk on a long rein has many benefits for the naturally gaited horse:

  • The free walk is an evenly timed four beat gait that helps break up the laterally timed pace
  • The free walk stretches the spine and develops the top line muscles of the horse
  • The free walk develops rhythm and even strides which are foundational qualities in developing quality gaits
  • The free walk improves depth of stride and length of stride as the horse reaches beneath its belly with each hind leg step and over tracks the fore footprint
  • The lowered head and neck position of the free walk stimulates endorphins and relaxes the horse
  • Relaxation of the back reduces tension to aid in smoother gait
  • The free walk is a great way to begin and end every ride with a many stretch breaks within a riding session

A balanced riding position and horse balance

I’ve had the great privilege of auditing and riding with well-known clinicians who travel to my region. One of which is international riding bio-mechanics coach Mary Wanless. She challenges riders to become aware of their balanced riding position. While she teaches riders of trotting horses, the principles of rider position and balance also apply to naturally gaited horses.

Jennifer Klitzke riding at a Mary Wanless Clinic
Jennifer Klitzke riding her Spanish Mustang at a Mary Wanless Clinic and getting established in the A,B,Cs of riding biomechanics.

Long and low but not too low

The study of French dressage pulled back another layer of awareness for me with my gaited horses. It helped me see the difference between just letting my horse lower its head and neck as low as possible to lowering the head and neck while maintaining balance. French dressage helped me recognize that the free walk is a full body activity. You see, long and low is not beneficial if the horse in on the forehand and disengaged from behind.

French dressage encourages a neutral neck extension position instead of as low as the horse can go. A neck extension can be done at a walk, trot, or flat walk. It allows the horse a maximum stretch of the top line muscles and spine by allowing the horse to stretch out its head and neck, forward, out and down, but no lower than the poll at wither height. This helps the horse maintain more chest posture and balance.

The feeling of balance and its application for the naturally gaited horse

FEI dressage rider Heather Blitz describes the feeling of balance using this metaphor. While riding, imagine if your horse had a medicine ball which freely moves around its insides. Where does the weight of the medicine ball feel like it sits most? Does it feel like it rests in the horse’s chest or beneath your seat? The former indicates that the horse is more on the forehand and the latter indicates that the horse is more in balance with the rider.

Long and low in balance

Now think about long and low. If I were to release my horse into a long and low frame while her balance feels like the medicine ball is in her chest, what quality of free walk would we produce? My naturally gaited Tennessee walking horse would be traveling on the forehand, right? She would be pulling herself forward with her front legs, chest muscles collapsed, and her hind legs would be disengaged with shorter strides. This means her hind leg steps would trail behind her tail more than step deep beneath her body and create less over track with the fore hoof prints.

Now that I’ve become aware of how it feels when my horse is in and out of balance, it is important establish her balance BEFORE releasing the reins to a free walk on a long rein.

dressage for the gaited horse and rider
The yellow lines show balanced alignment. The horse’s foreleg is perpendicular with the ground while the yellow and green lines at the tail shows how much of the hind step is under the body and planted under the rider. The center yellow line shows a balanced riding position over the horse’s center of gravity.

The feeling of balance

This medicine ball metaphor has helped me discover the feeling of balance and what to do when I lose it. Each time it feels like the medicine ball rolls into my horse’s chest, I begin with a half halt or transition from walk to halt to walk. If the medicine ball still feels like it is in my horse’s chest, then I transition from walk to halt, take a couple steps of rein back until I feel the medicine ball roll beneath my seat. Then in a feeling of balance, I encourage my horse to take the reins long and low into a free walk. I feel her hind legs step deeply beneath her belly beneath my riding position.

Free walk on a long rein is a great way to break up pace for a natural, four-beat, smooth gait. It also improves depth of stride, length of stride, rhythm and relaxation. Just remember to establish balance before releasing the reins to maximize your efforts.

Watch: A Balanced Free walk on a Long Rein

Free walk on a long rein in a balanced position.

Watch: A Balanced Free walk on a Loose Rein

Free walk on a loose rein in a balanced position.

What are your thoughts? I’d love to hear from you. Please reach out and share your story by sending me a message. Or stay connected by subscribing to the Naturally Gaited youtube channel and follow our community on facebook.com/naturallygaited.

Relaxation for Gaited Horses

How Relaxation Improves Quality Smooth Gaits

How relaxation improves smooth quality gaits
Moments of riding in a long and low position helps the naturally gaited horse relax.

A key in improving quality smooth gaits for the naturally gaited horse is mental and physical relaxation. So, where do you start?

Barefoot Naturally Gaited Tennessee Walking Horse Flat Walk

In this post, we will explore:

Does Rhythm Produce Relaxation?

How Tension Affects the Horse and Rider

How Tension Affects Gaits

How French Dressage for the Gaited Horse Leads to Relaxation

How to Introduce the Gaited Horse to Accept and Follow Snaffle Bit Contact

How Relaxation in Mind and Body Creates Smooth Gaits

Does a Relaxed Rider Make a Difference?

Does Rhythm Produce Relaxation?

I began riding dressage with non-gaited horses in 1988. Back then we didn’t have videos, the internet, and the plethora of resources we have today. We were fortunate to have a traveling instructor to teach us.

The Pyramid of Training began with rhythm followed by relaxation. We believed that rhythm produced relaxation. So, for my first 20 years of dressage riding with non-gaited horses, I either lunged my horse until they relaxed (or worn out) or I rode them in 20-meter circles until they were relaxed (or bord). This is what was taught and what I did. I didn’t know there was another way.

Dressage training pyramid

How Tension Affects Horse and Rider

In 2007, I acquired a three-year-old naturally gaited Tennessee Walking Horse, Makana. I continued the dressage I learned with non-gaited horses. When she was young, Makana often worried about her surroundings and tensed her body. Tension created stiff movement. Was it quality smooth gaits. Not really. Mostly step pacing and a pacey canter.

Makana’s spooking certainly didn’t create relaxation in me. My tense reaction only reinforced her fear, step pacing, and perpetuated her worry. If I continued to ride her while she is worried, I felt like I was riding a stiff plank blowing in the wind, swirling around with each spook−praying to God that I stayed on long enough to establish rhythm in hopes of bringing about relaxation.

I wondered how long does a nervous rider ride a nervous horse through spooks and tension before rhythm is established and relaxation sets in for the horse?

If I could sweat it out, riding a step pacing stiff plank in the wind for an hour, was this really the best approach? What was I teaching my horse? Am I conveying anything positive to my horse through miles of tension? By working a worried horse, wasn’t I training my horse to be worried and reinforcing her fear with my fear? I certainly was reinforcing my fear!

Perhaps a relaxed rider could have helped Makana through her tension and spooking to rhythm until she relaxed. For me, it wasn’t working.

How Tension Affects Gaits

Does tension produce smooth gaits?

With my naturally gaited foxtrotting horse, Lady, when she was tense in her lower jaw, mouth, and poll, she tensed her back and that meant a rocky ride. Leaving it up to her, she’d grab the bit and blast off into a hard, hollow trot. If I pulled on the bit to slow her down, she trotted off even faster. She 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 a smooth gait. However, what kind of muscle memory was she learning if I were to lunge and/or ride Lady through the rhythm of a hard, hollow trot for miles until she wore out into relaxation? Wasn’t she just learning to run away in tension until she gave up? I had to find another way.

Barefoot and bareback naturally gaited Tennessee walking horse at 17 years old.

How French Dressage for the Gaited Horse Leads to Relaxation

In 2013, I began studying French dressage and applying it with my gaited horses. I began learning ways to lead my horses into relaxation of mind and body.

I purchased French Dressage Master, Philippe Karl’s DVDs: Classic vs Classique, Classical Dressage Volumes 1-4, and The School of Legerete. I also purchased and study his books: Twisted Truths of Modern Dressage and The Art of Riding.

Philippe-Karl-Legerete-DVDs-video-camera
My DVD collection of Classical French Dressage Master Philippe Karl.

In addition, I purchased Another Horsemanship, by the late French Dressage Master Jean-Claude Racinet and a video produced by one of his students, Lisa Maxwell, Getting Started in Lightness: The French Classical Dressage of Francois Baucher as Taught by Jean-Claude Racinet.

Jean Claude Racinet's book and Lisa Maxwell's DVD
The late 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.

While Karl and the late Racinet teach dressage for non-gaited horses, I have found these methods work well for my naturally gaited horses and for me as the rider and trainer. The core of the French dressage philosophy is “respect for the horse” and the foundation of training is relaxation and balance (developed by the hand aid) and impulsion (developed by the leg aid) with separation of the “stop” and “go” aids. The ideal is to train the horse to be responsive to the lightest hand and leg aids.

Watch: How to Introduce the Gaited Horse to Accept and Follow Snaffle Bit Contact

This video shows How to Introduce the Gaited Horse to Accept and Follow Snaffle Bit Contact. The best ways to introduce contact is in hand. Then once the horse learns how to accept and follow a light snaffle bit contact, the same flexibility exercises can be applied in saddle at a halt. Then at a slow walk. The tempo may be increased as long as the horse remains relaxed. If the horse gets tense, bring the horse back to a slower tempo or a halt to restore relaxation.

Educating the horse’s mouth

Instead of lunging and riding a worried or tense horse for miles and miles in hopes to develop rhythm leading to relaxation, I have learned in-hand relaxation and balancing exercises. Then I proceed with the same relaxation and balancing exercises from the saddle at a halt and then at a slow walk. Progressively over time, I increase the tempo to a smooth gait and canter.

Anytime the horse begins to get tense or anxious, I slow down the tempo until relaxation is restored.

After establishing relaxation and balance at a halt, then exercises such as the shoulder in are added.

Through the work in-hand relaxation and balancing exercises, I’ve developed a better partnership of communication and trust with my gaited horses. I’ve found that learning these in-hand relaxation and balancing exercises make riding easier, since my horses already understand what I’m asking for. Within a few minutes of in-hand exercises, my horses are relaxed and ready for quality smooth gaits.

flechi droit
The Flechi droit on a 20-meter circle asks the horse to keep its body bent to the 20-meter circle while the head and neck bend more. This helps the horse find balance in the shoulders, stretches the outside neck muscles, and prepares the horse for balanced circles.

I might have an idea about what I’d like to work on during a riding session, but I am open to adjust these ideas to meet my horse needs. This way we have a productive ride.

Shoulder in on a circle
Shoulder in on a circle and pivot the fore help Lady engage from behind, lift her back and whither by activating her abdominal and chest muscles, and relaxing the jaw, tasting the bit, getting softer on the bridle, and accepting contact.

Anytime my naturally gaited Tennessee walking horse gets 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 relaxation of mind and body.

How relaxation in mind and body creates smooth gaits

For me and my naturally gaited Tennessee Walking Horse, Makana, we don’t pass “GO” before she is relaxed in her mind, then her body. And for my naturally gaited foxtrotting mare, Lady, we don’t proceed until she has relaxation in her body, and then her mind.

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 the horse to relaxation in 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 to accept and follow a light snaffle bit contact
  • Teaching the horse how to relax the mouth, lower jaw, and poll which will help the horse relax the back
  • Riding with a snaffle bit contact and following the natural head and neck motion with relaxed hands, arms, and shoulders
  • 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, and has learned bit avoidance.

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.

natural Tennessee walking horse flat walk
Smooth, natural gaits such as the flat walk, running walk, fox trot and saddle rack are fun to ride! Shown above is a naturally gaited and barefoot Tennessee walking horse performing an evenly timed, four beat flat walk with a head nod.

For my foxtrotting 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.

balanced fox trot with contact
Relaxation of mind and body has transformed Lady’s gait from hard trot to smooth gait.

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 relaxation in both me and my horses I can then help them produce quality, smooth gaits.

Neck extension at a flat walk
Riding my smooth gaited Tennessee walking horse Makana in a flat walk with neck extension. The neck extension allows the horse to both stretch its spine and build its top line while allowing maximum stride length.

Learn more about Dressage for the Gaited Horse

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

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