Tennessee Walking Horse Makana | Naturally Gaited Horse

The first chapter of Naturally Gaited began with a 3-year-old Tennessee Walking Horse filly named Makana where our “Dressage is More than Trot” journey began.

First Chapter of Naturally Gaited: Makana

In 2007, I acquired my first naturally gaited horse, a three-year-old Tennessee Walking Horse filly named Gift of Freedom, a.k.a., Makana (a Hawaiian word for Gift. Dressage was the only form of riding and training I knew, so that is the training I applied with Makana.

Watch: How dressage improves smooth gaits

Makana inspired the first chapter of Naturally Gaited. I don’t buy and sell horses, rather they become part of my family for life. What makes Naturally Gaited unique is that you can watch my horse’s progress for the course of their lives. The video above was taken with clips of Makana’s earliest moments through the age of 12. Below is a clip of Makana’s flat walk at the age of 17 as we ride bareback.

Watch: Makana at 17 years old

Makana, my naturally gaited Tennessee Walking Horse at 17 years old.

dressage for the gaited horse and cows — Dressage for the gaited horse teaches the rider a way to communicate with the horse through the reins, legs, seat and weight aids. This communication applies on the trail, sorting cows, negotiating trail obstacles, jumping fences, and more.

Dressage and versatility for the naturally gaited horse

Accomplishments

United States Humane Society Award and Grant

dressage with gaited horse — Naturally gaited dressage duo, Jennifer Klitzke and Tennessee Walking Horse, Gift of Freedom, receive an award and grant from The United States Humane Society *Now, That’s a Walking Horse* program.

Humane Training for the Tennessee Walking Horse with Dressage

In 2015, my naturally gaited Tennessee walking horse, Makana, and I received an award and grant from The United States Humane Society Now, That’s a Walking Horse program. We were recognized for correct training of horse and rider without the use of artificial enhancements or aggressive shoeing techniques while focusing on the gymnastic development as a way to improve and establish the gaits of the Walking horse. Story»

Versatility of the Tennessee Walking Horse

The United States Humane Society Now, That’s a Walking Horse program award and grant also recognized for our volunteer efforts to “spread the word” by sharing the good news about the natural Walking horse to the trotting world as well as to gaited enthusiasts to see the limitless potential in the breed in new ways. Story»

Gaited Dressage Awards

From 2010-2016 my Tennessee walking horse, Makana and I showed gaited dressage successfully at open schooling dressage shows as the only gaited horse dressage entry. We rode over 60 dressage tests—Intro through First Levels—using NWHA, FOSH, and NAWD tests. Makana has always been ridden barefoot (no shoes) and with a mild snaffle bit. Showing Gaited Dressage

naturally gaited dressage with a Tennessee walking horse — *Jennifer Klitzke riding her naturally gaited Tennessee walking horse Gift of Freedom* *earned Training Level Champion, First Level Champion, and earned the Highest Score Award in the 2014 FOSH Gaited Dressage program.*

In 2014, my Tennessee walking horse and I earned Training Level Champion, First Level Champion, and earned the Highest Score Award in the 2014 FOSH Gaited Dressage program.

*Jennifer Klitzke riding her naturally gaited Tennessee walking horse Gift of Freedom* *named 2015 NWHA First Level Champion.*

In 2015, my Tennessee walking horse and I earned Training Level Champion and First Level Champion in the 2015 FOSH Gaited Dressage program and earned First Level Champion in the 2015 NWHA Gaited Dressage program.

IJA Western Training 2 medium walk — *Jennifer Klitzke riding her naturally gaited Tennessee walking horse Gift of Freedom at one of three North American Western Dressage Association Shows.*

In 2016, my Tennessee walking horse and I earned Western Dressage Training Level Champion in the FOSH Gaited Dressage program.

Gaited Dressage Clinics

Naturally gaited four beat flatwalk — *Jennifer Klitzke and Makana at a Jennie Jackson Dressage for the Gaited Horse Clinic*

My Tennessee Walking Horse, Makana, and I have participated in numerous gaited dressage clinics with Jennie Jackson, Larry Whitesell, Jennifer Bauer, and Bucky Sparks. We have also ridden at traditional dressage clinics with Linda Kaye Hollingsworth Jones and Fred Kappler.

Gaited dressage demonstration team

My Tennessee Walking Horse, Makana, and I were featured as one of the demonstration teams at the Northwoods Dressage “Ride-A-Test” Clinic in Proctor, MN. We demonstrated how dressage can improve quality smooth gaits on cue and rode First Level, Test Two replacing trot with flat walk and running walk.

Watch: Dressage demonstration with a gaited horse

Gaited horse demonstration team

Minnesota Horse Expo demonstration naturally gaited horse and rider — Jennifer Klitzke riding Gift of Freedom at the 2011 MN Horse Expo as one of several demonstration rider for Gary Lane.

My Tennessee Walking Horse, Makana, and I have been a gaited horse demonstration team at western dressage and traditional dressage clinics and have been a Tennessee Walking Horse demonstration team at the Minnesota Horse Expo and gaited horse demonstration team for Gary Lane.

Supporting naturally gaited Tennessee Walking Horse breed shows

Heartland Tennessee walking horse show — *Jennifer Klitzke riding her Tennessee walking horse, Gift of Freedom, earned “2010 Trail Pleasure Champion of the Year” with the Minnesota Walking Horse Association.*

Trail Pleasure Champion of the Year

In 2008, the Minnesota Walking Horse Association urged members to support breed shows. As an ambassador for humane training and barefoot performance horses, we were game. I began showing my naturally gaited Tennessee Walking Horse, Gift of Freedom (Makana) at rail class breed shows to support naturally gaited Tennessee Walking Horse shows that banned Big Lick, chains, weighted shoes and pads, harsh bits, or the cruelty of soring.

Makana and I earned “2010 Trail Pleasure Champion of the Year” with the Minnesota Walking Horse Association.

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