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Gaited Horse Training

Lifelong Learning and the Gaited Horse

versatility of the gaited horse

Does learning how to ride and train a naturally gaited horse feel like an endless pursuit or an adventurous journey of lifelong learning?

Here’s my story…

Lifelong Learning and the Gaited Horse

By Jennifer Klitzke

I was born with the passion for horses. The passion certainly wasn’t inherited by my parents! It wasn’t until I was out on my own, completed my education and entered my profession that I began saving for the dream of owning my first horse.

My first horse an OTTB
My first horse, an off-the-track-thoroughbred mare named Seasons.

When I bought an off-the-track thoroughbred mare in 1988, learning resources were limited. One-on-one instruction and book learning were my options with an occasional video rental at the local tack store. Today the digital age avails endless learning opportunities and riding genres to draw from. We can google a question and receive instant answers in a variety of formats from dozens of thought leaders.

Critical Thinking Beyond the Classroom

My education taught me critical thinking. As a college student, not all of my classes related with my major, and those that did were taught by (not one) but a variety of instructors who prepared me for my career.

In and out of the classroom, I take critical thinking with me―even into my horse riding and training. Whenever I come across a new idea, I listen, discuss, ask questions, think through, and make decisions alongside what I know and have experienced. Then I consider whether to embrace and study this new idea to accompany my riding and training program or even discard an old practice.

I am grateful for the dozen years of one-on-one German dressage lessons with one instructor. I learned how to ride with feel: to know when it felt in or out of balanced, connected or discombobulated, crooked or straight, too sluggish or too hurried. My instructor taught me how to restore the feeling of right when we lost it. This took years and lots of practice to develop, especially when riding a variety of horses, since each one felt different. My dressage instructor taught me a solid foundation to contrast and compare other ideas from. Without this foundation, I would have floundered.

Since then, I have been on an endless journey of discovering how to ride and train horses―predominantly in dressage. Within my dressage study, there have been many shifts as there are differences in application between masters, schools, instructors, and paradigms. Not all dressage has the same focus or produces the same result.

Sometimes I’m happily surprised with new ideas. Like when I became acquainted with different styles of dressage: realizing the language of dressage breaks the bounds of an arena into any activity we do; contrasting and comparing dressage as art versus sport; and the epiphany that dressage is more than trot. Dressage offers profound benefits for smooth gaited horses!

featured showing dressage with the gaited horse
Showing Dressage with a Gaited Horse

If I had stopped learning, I would have missed out on all this…

Dressage for the Gaited Horse

After 20 years riding non-gaited horses, I acquired my first naturally gaited Tennessee Walking Horse. Riding with feel took on a whole new level with a smooth gaited, head nodding horse! I needed to learn how to ride a horse that doesn’t trot, so I set out to find a gaited dressage coach help me develop a new set of feel.

2014 Jennie Jackson clinic
Taking lessons from Jennie Jackson really helped improve the quality of our smooth gaits using dressage.

After purchasing a DVD training set from Jennie Jackson, I began learning dressage for the gaited horse from a true gaited dressage champion. Jennie performed with her famous Tennessee Walking Horse stallion, Champagne Watchout to the highest levels of dressage in his natural smooth gaits.

Lessons with Jennie taught me how to help my Tennessee Walking Horse get started in flat walk and running walk with connection and balance.

flat walk with contact
My naturally gaited Tennessee Walking Horse at flat walk.

Sound and Barefoot

When my farrier retired in 2010, I began studying natural barefoot trimming. I learned that performance horses can compete sound without shoes. This blew my mind! For decades I believed competition horses required year-round shoes for their soundness.

After studying a variety of barefoot trimming methods, I came across Linda Harris’s The Happy Hoof Channel and her method: The Anatomically Correct Trim (TACT). I have learned so much in the last 15 years about trimming my horses’s hooves.

Dressage beyond Showing

Jennifer and her 6-year-old naturally gaited Tennessee Walking Horse at a clinic with Larry Whitesell teaching us lateral exercises.
My naturally gaited Tennessee Walking Horse at a clinic with Larry Whitesell teaching us the feel of shoulder-in.

At Larry Whitesell clinics, I learned how to become a trusted leader with my gaited horses and lead them into relaxation and balance.

Larry’s method challenged my dressage training pyramid paradigm; he helped me understand that dressage is more than showing at Intro and moving up the next level as my scores improved. My dressage paradigm now included how to become a trusted leader and meet my horse’s needs for safety, relaxation, and balance.

Dressage as a Language

Beyond the art and sport of dressage, I learned that dressage is a language. Dressage is more than a form of riding or place to ride. Dressage is a way to communicate with the horse in and out of the arena: over a course of fences, through wooded trails, around a set of obstacles, sorting cows, and any other activity we do together.

gaited horse sorting cows
Cow sorting with a gaited horse.

Dressage Riding Position

Jennifer Klitzke riding at a Mary Wanless Clinic
Riding my Spanish Mustang at a Mary Wanless rider’s bio-mechanics clinic.

Over the years I have been acquainted with a variety of ways to ride a horse. After studying Ride with Your Mind books and videos, I audited and rode at Mary Wanless rider’s bio-mechanics clinics. I learned ways to reposition my body, ride with my core, and be lighter and more balanced over my horse’s back. This position helps my horse carry me with greater ease.

I began applying these methods of riding with my naturally gaited horses and notice when I correct my riding position first, there are less adjustments to make to my horse.

More than one Dressage

1995 Dominique Barbier Clinic
Jennifer Klitzke and SeilTanzer at the 1995 Dominique Barbier Clinic Jacqurei Oaks

My introduction to French dressage was in the 1990s when I rode with traveling clinician, Dominique Barbier. He produced an environment of joy while his dressage methods stirred harmony and lightness. It was quite a contrast from my German dressage schooling.

Years later, a French dressage clinician, Susan Norman, traveled to my area. Her Riding with Lightness clinics introduced me to the work of her mentors, French dressage masters Philippe Karl and the late Jean Claude Racinet.

why have contact
Susan Norman said, “In French dressage we ‘ask’ the horse to do, we don’t ‘make’ the horse to do.”

French dressage has challenged my German dressage paradigm more than any other. There have been many instances where French methods have replaced my former German roots of riding and training. Among the biggest changes have been “Hands without legs and legs without hands.” (separating the stop and go aids for clarity to the horse instead of combining my driving aids into my hand). The other is learning the importance of a relaxed mouth, lower jaw, and poll and its effect on movement.

I have found relaxation of the mouth and jaw are paramount for training smooth gaits. This means no longer riding with low fixed hands that lead to bracing, pacing, and bit avoidance. No combining leg and hand aids that create confusion and dullness. Loosening or eliminating nose bands that keep the mouth closed. Scrapping gadgets like side reins, tie downs, and draw reins that force a headset or frame. Developing awareness to how the horse feels and regard reactions as feedback instead of disobedience to punish. The French method meant learning how to gently communicate with the horse’s sensitive mouth to teach bit acceptance. Also to use my fingers softly to aid relaxation and immediately quiet communication as soon as the horse responds.

In 2014, I learned Philippe Karl launched École de Légèreté (School of Lightness) instructor certification clinics in the US. Eager to locate instructors who taught this classical dressage method, I traveled for one-on-one instruction with an instructor in training. Learning from books and DVDs offer a great general concept, but nothing beats real-time coaching. The fabulous feedback I received from Nichole Walters inspired my desire to continue French dressage for the gaited horse.

Travere or Haunches In
Linda coaches me and my naturally gaited Tennessee Walking Horse through organizing my aids in lateral exercises on a circle.

Then in 2018, Légèreté instructor, Linda Kaye Hollingsworth Jones traveled to my region for two clinics. She coached me and my naturally gaited Tennessee Walking Horse, Makana.

Since then, I have been taking a deep dive into the methods by classical dressage masters. I have been studying books about Francios Baucher and his second manner, Francois Robichon de la Gueriniere, as well as the late modern dressage master Nuno Oliveria.

Scientific Research Spotlights Balance and Collection

Facebook led me to the research of Dr. Hilary Clayton. She is also a credentialed dressage rider and judge to the highest levels. In one of her posts, she describes research proving the importance of developing the chest muscles for balance and collection. This was a paradigm shift for me. For years I had been focused on driving my horse forward from behind and not aware of developing the chest muscles. It is no wonder I hadn’t established balance. I had been chasing my horse onto the forehand.

Clayton’s research has challenged me develop the whole horse instead of fixating on hind leg stride length so prized with Tennessee Walking Horses. I began to value slower walking steps in a balanced position where the four legs stepped beneath the horse’s body mass. We worked through lateral exercises, rein back, jambette and Spanish walk that build strength, balance, flexibility, lightness, and relaxation. Then we transition to the longer striding gaits of free walk, flat walk, and running walk.

Dr. Clayton’s research further inspired me to pursue French dressage for the naturally gaited horse to develop relaxation and balance.

Jambette
My 22 year old naturally gaited Tennessee Walking Horse performing a jambette.

Grade School and Horse Speak

I have gained wonderful friends through this Naturally Gaited blog over the last 15 years. One of which has been a student of Michael Gascon, a fifth-generation Paso Fino trainer and international colt starter of more than 5,000 horses. My friend invited me to participate in his FREE 30-Day Horse Help Challenge.

Cowboy colt starting collided with my dainty dressage paradigm. Initially I thought, “Why on earth would I apply this training with a horse I have been riding the last four seasons?!” Yet, I was open to learn and intrigued with Michael’s gaited horse expertise. So, I enrolled Marvel, my seven-year-old Tennessee Walking Horse / Spotted Saddle Horse, in the virtual challenge. It didn’t take long to realize there were areas in our training dressage hadn’t addressed.

Michael explained teaching a horse dressage without attending grade school is like jumping straight to college. I didn’t understand what he meant until completing his Pre-K through Grade 12 colt starting program.

Michael’s program is based upon growing up at a barn and studying how horses behave and communicate with each other. Over the years, he has developed a step-by-step process in how to speak “horse” from the ground to the saddle. This helps set boundaries, establish respect, and clarify directions to the horse. Ultimately, this step-by-step process creates a safer horse―no matter what’s going on around.

Grade School Gallery

11th Grade

Now my go-go-go gaited horse waits for my cues after saddling up. Marvel is less distracted, keeps more attention on me, responds to my seat and body position, and is less fidgety with the bit. Plus, I don’t have to wait for perfectly calm conditions to ride! It wasn’t until I worked through Michael’s 30-day Horse Help Challenge that I realized the freedom I had been missing in my riding program.

Now I can say we have graduated grade school!

Gaited Horse Retreat

After the 30-Day Challenge I met my friend and many wonderful Gascon students from around North America for a five-day gaited horse retreat at Horse Haven Ranch with Michael Gascon―a truly extraordinary learning and paradigm stretching experience! Most of those in our group had been to over a dozen retreats, and I can understand why after experiencing it!

I watched Michael transform dozens of challenging horses within minutes to be relaxed, sensible and ridable. While training, he explained his step-by-step process with a keen sense of humor and storytelling! Michael has wisdom and experience far beyond his age. Now I understand why my friend has been a longtime student of Michael’s.

In addition to watching Michael work with retreat horses, we also engaged in fun horseback activities. I never imagined having horseback sword fights with pool noodles, working through scary trail obstacles playing horse soccer, or sorting cows on a horse I didn’t know. Plus, we learned ways to refine smooth gait with balance and collection.

My horses and I still speak French, but now I have become bilingual learning how to speak “horse.” Michael’s step-by-step training process is a great accompaniment with our dressage study. Plus, it is so FUN and is such a confidence booster for both the horse and rider! Now I don’t have to wait for ideal riding conditions. We are learning to face our fears from the ground to the saddle with fun activities! This has increased the relaxation, balance, symmetry, and collection I seek with my naturally gaited horses in the versatility training we pursue.

Our MG soccer ball has just arrived. Just as I expected, Makana has taken to it as she has the cows!

The more I learn inspires more I have yet to learn―even into my grandma years!

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.

French Dressage for Gaited Horses

Why a High and Light Riding Position

Classical French dressage for the naturally gaited horse: why a high and light position?

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 always introduced 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.

High and light, balanced square halt
A high and light, balanced square halt

For me, balance and relaxation are key to smooth gaits.

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 smooth 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.

A high and light, balanced Tennessee Walking Horse Spanish Walk
A high and light, balanced Tennessee Walking Horse Spanish Walk

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.

A high, light, relaxed and balanced riding position
A high, light, relaxed and balanced riding position

Effects of forcing a high position

When the rider forces a high position by pulling back on the reins, it isn’t helpful for many reasons:

  • It causes the horse to hollow its back
  • The under-neck muscles bulge instead of rounding the top line muscles
  • The hind quarters don’t engage
  • 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 comfortably
  • It compromises the long-term soundness of the horse
  • Plus, it’s 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, it helps the horse develop naturally, smooth evenly timed gaits!

Questions?

Let me know your thoughts by completing the form below.

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Dressage for the Gaited Horse

How My Tennessee Walking Horse Learned Spanish Walk

How my Tennessee Walking Horse learned the Spanish Walk

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.

Tennessee Walking Horse Jambette with a rider.
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.
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.

jambette and the naturally gaited horse

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.

jambettejambette
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 in liberty
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.
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 for the gaited horse
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.

More Exercises for the Gaited Horse to improve smooth gaits.

Questions?

Let me know your thoughts by completing the form below.

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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?”

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.

Tips for the Gaited Horse

Flat Foot Walk & Flat Walk: How Can You Tell the Difference?

Tennessee Walking Horse Flat Foot Walk and Flat Walk: How Can You Tell the Difference?

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.

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.