Tag Archives: head nod

Balance for Gaited Horses

Flat walk: Head nod up or nod down?

When the naturally gaited horse is in flat walk, does the head nod up-down or down-up? Does it matter?

Here’s my story and a video to go with it.

Flat Walk: Does the Naturally Gaited Horse Head Nod Up-Down or Nod Down-Up?

By Jennifer Klitzke

As I have explored relaxation, rhythm and balance with my naturally gaited Tennessee walking horse, I have wondered, does the head nod up-down down-up? Is there a difference?

In the video below, I share my thoughts on this question with examples of both.

For me, the important distinction between head nod up-down or head nod down-up is whether my horse’s body mass is in balance over all four legs and lifting her chest and wither.

Balanced Flat Walk & Head Nod Up-Down

When my horse is performing a balanced flat walk, the head nod is up-down. It feels like my horse is stepping from behind and under my seat and lifting up through the wither.

The photo above shows a head up-down in a balanced flat walk. The naturally gaited Tennessee walking horse is stepping under the rider’s seat with the hind leg and far more under the body mass than trailing behind and the horse is lifting the chest and wither.

Unbalanced Flat Walk with Head Nod Down-Up

If my horse is collapsing her chest and traveling with more weight on the forehand, she performs a head nod down-up. It feel like my horse is pulling me downhill or feeling heavy in my hands.

Above shows the same naturally gaited Tennessee walking horse out of balance in the head nod down-up. The hind legs are disengaged and not stepping under the body mass or under the rider and the chest is collapsed and the horse in on the forehand.

Demi-Arret to Regain Balance

I ride with a snaffle bit and whenever my naturally gaited Tennessee walking horse leans on the bit, I apply a demi-arret. I raise my hands higher with a squeeze of my hands as soon as the nod comes up and quickly release. The timing of the demi-arret is important so that it is in rhythm with the nod and the hind leg steps. As soon as my horse lightens and I feel the balance return, I cease the demi-arret.

Sometimes the demi-arret doesn’t seem to be helping my horse lighten if my horse is traveling at a faster tempo out of balance. In this case, I will slow the tempo down to a walk or halt and rebalance my horse. Then from a balanced halt or slow walk, I will transition to a faster tempo like a flat walk or canter.

I hope this is helpful. 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.