Did you know there is a BIG difference between asking the horse to raise its head and neck vs pulling the reins back to force a high position?
Why a High and Light Riding Position
By Jennifer Klitzke
Living in the Northern Midwest without an indoor riding arena provides many months of book study. This winter I took a deep dive into Baucher’s second manner.
Many of the books I have been studying were written by Classical French Dressage Master Francois Baucher (1796–1873), his students, and others who have studied and applied Baucher’s second manner. During this era, ambling gaits were considered a fault and not developed like we do today with our naturally gaited horse breeds. Does this mean classical training doesn’t apply to our horses? I don’t think so. If you ask me dressage is more than trot.
My two favorite books regarding Baucher’s second manner are: Racinet Explains Baucher by the late Jean Claude Racinet and Methodical Dressage of the Riding Horse by Faverot de Kerbrech. Some of what I have been reading affirms my training, while I have also discovered more to apply.
Now that Spring has produced suitable riding weather, I couldn’t wait to get out and begin applying my studies. For this post, I’ll focus on a high and light position. There is a big difference between the rider asking the horse to lift its head and neck to find balance vs the rider pulling back on the reins to force a high position. I have been teaching my horses a high and light position for years, thanks to Classical French Dressage Master Philippe Karl’s DVDs and books. However, my winter book study has challenged me to encourage my horses to reach an even higher position than I had been asking―provided my horse maintains relaxation and lightness.
Asking for a high and light position
For years, I had been asking my horses to lift the head and neck for the purpose of relaxation, lightness, and balance. I have alwaysintroduced a snaffle bit from in hand exercises. Then from the saddle at a halt, followed by a slow walk, and then proceeded by a slow gait.
Anytime the horse loses relaxation, lightness, or balance, the horse is brough back to a halt to regain relaxed balance. Then the horse returns to the walk or gait. Whenever more tempo is added before the horse is trained in relaxed balance, the horse tends to lose relaxation and/or balance. That’s why starting at a halt is best and gradually adding tempo. For me, balance and relaxation are key to smooth gaits.
My book studies taught me a few more benefits this high and light position offer the horse beyond relaxation, lightness, and balance. Asking the horse to lift its head and neck high and light in relaxation causes the horse to engage the chest and abdominal muscles to raise the wither and bring the back to a neutral position, and it engages the hindquarters. This high and light position teaches the horse balance to best carry the weight of a rider.
Forcing a high position
When the rider forces a high position by pulling back on the reins, it causes the horse to hollow its back, the under-neck muscles bulge instead of rounding the top line muscles, and the hind quarter doesn’t engage. This position isn’t helpful for many reasons. It develops the wrong muscles. It makes the horse less able to produce a smooth gait. It is more difficult for the horse to carry a rider. It compromises the long-term soundness of the horse. Plus, it is unsightly.
Watch the video below and see how teaching your horse a high and light position with a snaffle bit helps the horse find balance and elegance. Plus, a naturally, smooth evenly timed gait!
I hope this is helpful. Let me know your thoughts by sending a message.
Curious about the Jambette and Spanish Walk? Wondering if your naturally gaited Tennessee Walking Horse can master these moves and what benefits they bring?
Here’s my story…
How my Tennessee Walking Horse Learned the Spanish Walk
By Jennifer Klitzke
Marvel, my magnificent five-year-old Naturally gaited Tennessee walking horse/Spotted Saddle Horse, has been my cherished partner for nearly two wonderful years.
I welcomed Marvel into my life as an untrained colt in October 2021. He was a special gift from my dear friend, Mary. Starting a colt from scratch is a rewarding experience, one that my husband and I had previously taken on for a local horse rescue called the 2010 Trainer’s Challenge of the Unwanted Horse.
Prior to Marvel’s saddle training, I dedicated seven months to groundwork, lunging exercises, in-hand work, and liberty training with him. During this time, I familiarized him with accepting and following contact with a snaffle bit, as well as becoming comfortable wearing a saddle. This groundwork laid a solid foundation for our future saddle training.
Then May 2022 melted away the snow and ice. That’s when we began our saddle training. BUT, before riding began, the boring winter months awakened Marvel’s desire to learn Jambette and Spanish Walk.
(Well, actually. That’s when three-year-old Marvel taught me Jambette and Spanish Walk.)
So, what are the Jambette and the Spanish Walk?
The Jambette is a beneficial exercise that teaches the horse to gracefully raise and extend one of its front legs with a cue.
Jambette with a rider.
The Spanish Walk is a graceful and rhythmic four-beat walk where each front leg extends with Jambette-like movements.
From jambette to Spanish Walk with a Tennessee Walking Horse.
So, how did my Naturally Gaited Horse learn the Jambette and Spanish Walk?
I’ve been trimming my horses hooves since 2010. In January 2022, I had Marvel’s leg stretched out ahead of him and his foot on the hoof stand to finish his trim. The very next day, Marvel began stretching his right leg out in the same manner while in the cross ties. Then the next day he did the same thing.
Interesting. The first day I thought it was a fluke, so when he extended his right leg the next day, I began putting cues to it. I tapped him on the shoulder and said, “Jambette” each time he would extend his front leg. Then I said, “GOOOOOOOD!” and gave him a horse treat.
After a few days of practice, Marvel was becoming quite proficient at performing the Jambette cue with his right leg. However, he still needed to learn how to offer the Jambette with his left leg. Like humans, most horses have a dominant side, and Marvel seemed to favor his right leg naturally. To encourage him to try the left leg Jambette, I introduced the cue for that side.
Whenever Marvel made an attempt to lift his left leg, I immediately praised him with an enthusiastic “GOOOOOOOOOD” and rewarded him with a treat. This positive reinforcement motivated him to keep trying, and we repeated the process several times. Within just one week, Marvel was able to perform the Jambette with both his right and left legs on cue.
After Marvel became reliable in performing the Jambette with both his right and left legs on cue, I took our training to the next level and introduced the concept of alternating between right and left Jambettes while Marvel was in the cross ties.
Jambette with the right leg and the left leg
Once he mastered jambette on cue, we ventured outside for liberty training. At a S-L-O-W walk by Marvel’s side, I began to lift each of my legs and cued Marvel with a verbal command of “Jambette” and gently tapped him on the shoulder. This was the beginning of our journey into the Spanish Walk.
Spanish walk at liberty is both super fun and great exercise!
Amazing! I couldn’t believe my three-year-old naturally gaited Tennessee Walking Horse had learned Jambette and Spanish Walk before he was saddle trained!
As the snow and ice melted away in May 2022, we began our saddle training journey and incorporated the Jambette and Spanish Walk. But here’s the interesting part: it wasn’t me who insisted on this, but rather Marvel himself! He found joy in expressing himself through these moves, and who am I to argue? I’ve always wanted to develop these skills with my horses, so I embraced these exercises as rewards to Marvel. Since he wasn’t particularly fond of arena work, blending moments of Jambette and Spanish Walk between gait seemed to bring him happiness (and to me as well!).
Marvel’s two favorite things so far: liberty and jambette with steps of Spanish Walk. Yes, naturally gaited horses are versatile, personable, talented and intelligent.
Jambette Saddle Cues
First, I encourage Marvel to be in a square and balance position, not a parked-out position, as this would be hard on his back.
Next, since Marvel understands how to accept and follow a snaffle bit contact, I lift my arms and hands high to ask him to raise his chest, neck and head.
Then I say, “Jambette” and tap him on the shoulder with the dressage whip on the easiest side he offers Jambette.
As soon as he raises the leg on the side I tapped, I praise him with “GOOOOOD.” release the reins, give him a horse treat and a moment to think about it.
I repeat this two times on the same side and then I do the same exercise asking for a Jambette from the other leg.
Then I move on to something else so that the exercise is FUN.
The jambette is a great exercise for the naturally gaited horse stretching the foreleg and shoulder to develop the full range of motion.
Spanish Walk Cues
Once Marvel was set in his Jambette under saddle and understood Spanish Walk at liberty, then I cued for Jambette and asked for a SLOW walk step, stopped, said, “GOOOOOOOOD,” gave him a horse treat, and gave him a loose rein and time to think about it. I repeated this with the same leg two more time.
The next time I rode, I did the same exercise but cued for Jambette with the other leg and a step.
When we were solid in one step with each leg, then we began adding SLOW walk steps with alternating Jambettes on cue. At first Marvel would alternate his Jambettes and then take a step. It took time before he understood one Jambette and one step and then the other Jambette and another step.
Once he understood the concept of Spanish Walk, I helped him by walking my hip joints and lightly follow his rib cage with my calves for only a handful of steps. Then I stopped, praised, gave him a loose rein, horse treat, and let him think about it.
My five-year-old naturally gaited Tennessee Walking Horse Marvel enjoying jambette and Spanish Walk.
What benefits does the Jambette and Spanish Walk offer the Naturally Gaited Horse?
When Marvel first joined my fur family as a three-year-old colt, I noticed that he had a base narrow stance. It got me wondering if there was a way to improve his conformation. Fortunately, through the practice of Jambette and Spanish Walk, Marvel’s shoulders and chest have become stronger, and he has filled out beautifully. Now, he no longer stands as base narrow as he did before. These exercises have truly transformed his physique for the better.
Spanish Walk improves scope and range of motion in the Tennessee walking horse.
The Spanish Walk and Jambette have been transformative for Marvel, enhancing his balance, coordination, range of motion, and even instilling a sense of pride.
Additionally, the Spanish Walk is an evenly timed four-beat walk and serves as a valuable tool to break up pace. Marvel, possesses a remarkable range of natural gaits, from the trot to the undesirable pace, and all the desirable smooth gaits in between, including the flat walk, fox trot, and saddle rack.
Jambette and Spanish Walk for the Older Horse
Can an older horse learn the jambette and Spanish walk? Well, my 20-year-old naturally gaited Tennessee Walking Horse, Makana began offering the jambette in the cross ties just like Marvel did. So, I began applying aids to them each time she offered.
This spring, I began asking her for jambette under saddle. Now we are beginning to take steps in between each jambette to begin the Spanish walk. She enjoys this about as much as Marvel does.
Yes, you can teach an old horse new tricks!
Jambette is a great exercise for the gaited horse to stretch and strengthen the shoulders and improve balance. Here’s my 21-year-old Tennessee Walking Horse learning jambette and Spanish walk.
I hope you find these benefits enticing and consider incorporating the Jambette and Spanish Walk into your own journey with your naturally 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.
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 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
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
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.
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)!
While both the flat foot walk and the flat walk have a head and neck nod and are even four beat gaits, how can you tell them apart?
Flat Foot Walk and Flat Walk: How can You Tell the Difference?
By Jennifer Klitzke
How can you tell the difference between a Tennessee walking horse flat foot walk and a flat walk? While the horse has a natural head and neck nod and natural four beat gait in both the flat foot walk and the flat walk, how can you tell the difference?
The main difference between the flat foot walk and the flat walk is that the flat foot walk still has a lot of motion in the horse’s back that the rider needs to follow. In the flat walk, the horse’s back is still and there isn’t motion to follow so the rider’s pelvis doesn’t move.
Not only that, both the flat foot walk and the flat walk can be ridden in many variations: free walk, working walk, medium walk, collected walk, extended walk.
Watch this video below:
Flat Foot Walk vs Flat Walk, How to Tell the Difference?
The secret is in watching the rider’s pelvis. If the pelvis is moving to follow each step, it is a flat foot walk. If the rider is still without bracing, it is a flat walk.
If you are the rider, it is a little trickier to discern. Begin to notice if in motion, the horse’s back is still, the gait is smooth as glass, it sounds like a four-beat gait with a head and neck nod with each hind leg step. Then it is likely a flat walk or running walk.
If the horse’s back has a lot of motion to follow with your pelvis, while the horse’s head and neck continue to nod with each step, it is likely a flat foot walk.
Riding a gaited horse in the snow is the best way to dash!
Smoothest All-Terrain Vehicle: Riding a Gaited Horse in the Snow
By Jennifer Klitzke
Do you experience months and months and months of snow-covered winter? I do. For decades I enjoyed riding my horse year-round at a facility with an indoor arena.
Then my husband and I moved to the country. No more indoor arena for year-round riding (so I thought). The months and months of winter wore on until my longing to ride broke free one snowy day. I piled on many layers of miss-matched clothing and ventured to the barn on a quest to ride my smooth gaited horse.
That year I discovered how much fun it is to ride on a one horse (moving smooth) in the snow. My gaited horses, Makana and Lady, became my go-to smooth, all-terrain vehicles.
Here are three tips on winter riding…
Safety while Riding a Gaited Horse in the Snow
Some years ice prevents our winter riding. Too slippery. I don’t want to chance a fall for me or an injury to my horse. Other years, bitter, below-zero temperatures broke through the mixed-matched layers. Frost bit is too great a risk.
Then there are winters that are perfect for snow riding! Cool temperatures for snow without melting and re-freezing to create the icy conditions.
Saddle rack riding a gaited horse in the snow.
Staying in Shape Riding a Gaited Horse in the Snow
Winter riding is a great way to keep my naturally gaited horses Makana and Lady in shape. Riding year round allows our gaited dressage progression to move forward without a couple months of reconditioning due to five months of a winter break.
Riding a gaited horse isn’t as much exercise as riding a horse that trots, unless you ride bareback. Winter bareback riding is a great way to stay in shape and stay warm. The horse’s body conducts a lot of heat that you don’t experience when riding in a saddle.
Riding my smooth gaited horse Lady bareback in the snow.
Importance of Cool Down After Riding a Gaited Horse in the Snow
Riding in snow is a lot of work for the horse, so I don’t want to overexert my horse. Plus, it is important that I cool my horse off properly with a wool cooler before turning them out. The last thing I want is for my horse to get chilled or sick.
Walking in Wonderland: Riding a Gaited Horse in the Snow
The video below captures footage from the winter of 2013. We had a perfect snow season and Makana and I took advantage of it. We entered spring in great condition for endurance rides and lost no time for gaited dressage. The video shows multiple gaits on cue in the snow.
Riding a Gaited Horse in the Snow
Enjoy your winter and stay safe riding your gaited horse in the snow!
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