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In this training session, world-renowned horse trainer Michael Gascon works with Smokey, a naturally pacey gaited horse owned by Sherry Smith. Using the foundational principles of his Respect Series, Michael begins the transformation process—shaping Smokey’s behavior and gait by establishing respect, improving softness, and breaking up the pace into a smoother gait.
Meet Smokey: A Naturally Pacey Horse
Smokey is a flashy gaited horse with a beautiful build and a strong personality. While he’s gentle and well-mannered on the surface, he tends to be lazy and resistant to softness, especially when pressure is applied. Smokey is also extremely pacey—a common gait fault in gaited horses that results in a rough, bumpy ride.
Why Pacing Happens
According to Michael, pacing occurs when a horse locks up its poll, spine, and body, creating a lateral two-beat gait rather than the desired four-beat smooth gait. Horses like Smokey often brace against bit pressure, pulling on the reins and stiffening their entire frame instead of relaxing and responding.
The Respect Series: Creating the Right Foundation
Michael starts the session with groundwork to build respect and break resistance. This stage is critical for both safety and long-term success under saddle.
Steps of the Respect Series:
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Yield the Hindquarters – Smokey learns to disengage his back end in response to pressure, breaking his drive and giving control back to the handler.
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Back-Up with Energy – Rather than dragging his feet, Smokey is asked to move backward with respect, using his brain and feet together.
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Circle Work and Inside Turns – Michael emphasizes the importance of controlling direction and body position, which translates to softness under saddle.
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Changing Direction Without Resistance – By teaching Smokey to turn in and face up respectfully, Michael avoids dangerous, aggressive inside turns and kicks.
Establishing Body Control
This groundwork isn’t just about compliance—it’s about changing the horse’s mental state. A respectful horse pays attention, stays connected to the handler, and is much more responsive in the saddle. Michael makes sure Smokey understands each request before moving on, even if that means repeating exercises until the horse “gets it.”
Under Saddle: Transitioning From Pace to Gait
Once Smokey shows improvement on the ground, it’s time to translate that progress into the saddle. But Michael doesn’t expect miracles—this is Day 1 of a transformation.
Addressing the Pulling and Leaning
Smokey immediately shows his resistance by pulling on the reins, trying to take control. Michael uses rhythmic pressure to correct this, asking Smokey to soften at the poll and give his face. The key is consistency and clarity—every time Smokey pulls, Michael corrects and releases as soon as he yields.
Timing and Feel
Michael emphasizes that timing is everything. You can’t just pull on the reins and expect softness—you have to feel when the horse gives and reward it instantly. He points out how common it is for riders to miss the opportunity to release, accidentally teaching the horse to pull harder.
The Magic of the Stop and Backup
Rather than fighting Smokey’s forward momentum, Michael works on developing a solid stop and backup. Every time Smokey starts pacing or pulling, Michael redirects that energy into a halt and backs him up with energy and precision. This helps break up the pace, encourages Smokey to engage his hindquarters, and brings focus back to the rider.
Tips for Breaking Up Pace in Gaited Horses
Michael shares several key takeaways for anyone dealing with a pacey gaited horse:
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Start on the ground: Respect and softness begin before you ever get in the saddle.
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Demand softness: Don’t accept pulling or leaning—teach your horse to give at the poll.
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Use the stop and backup: It resets the horse’s brain and body, breaking up braced movement.
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Don’t be afraid to correct: Pressure is not punishment—it’s communication.
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Stay patient and consistent: It may take days or weeks, but with clear guidance, even pacey horses can learn to gait.
Final Thoughts: It’s a Journey, Not a Shortcut
Michael reminds viewers that the transformation won’t happen in a day, but laying the right groundwork now pays off exponentially later. Smokey’s first day in the Respect Series was about planting seeds—softness, respect, and body control. As he progresses, that hard, stiff pace will start to melt into a smooth, fluid gait.
“We’re not just teaching the horse to gait. We’re teaching him to listen, to soften, and to respect. That’s where the real magic starts.” – Michael Gascon
