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Training a gaited horse to move with balance, softness, and deliberate rhythm takes time, patience, and a systematic approach. In this session with Michael Gascon, we watch as he works with Benny, a gaited mare who knows how to gait naturally, but hasn't yet learned how to gait on cue or in a collected frame.
Consistency Begins with Fundamentals
Michael begins by pointing out how Benny is already consistent at the walk, trot, and canter, thanks to a month of foundational work. He emphasizes that she's used to moving out on a loose rein and only receives rein contact when she tries to take control or veer off course. However, when it comes to gaiting, Benny lacks consistency because she hasn't had the practice yet. "She’s not used to being held up. She’s not used to being framed," he explains.
The key here is consistency—from the rider. Even as Benny experiments with where to put her head and how to carry herself, Michael maintains steady, quiet hands and a consistent driving leg to keep her moving forward.
Building Comfort in Contact
This session is about introducing Benny to the concept of contact and elevation. Michael wants to bring her head and chest up while keeping her soft and relaxed. It’s not about holding her in a frame but allowing her to find the frame through guidance and release. He demonstrates how to pick up the reins without pulling—just showing her with energy and softness where he wants her to be.
When she finds the right posture—elevated chest, nose near vertical, hindquarters coming under—he rewards her by maintaining a steady rhythm and avoiding interruption. This is where the horse begins to understand that the new frame means forward, balanced, and soft.
Headset and Engagement: The Gaited Difference
One major question Michael addresses is why gaited horses often need a higher headset. "If her head’s down, you’d never know she’s a gaited horse," he says. A higher headset lifts the shoulders and drives the hindquarters under, enabling the distinct 4-beat rhythm that defines a smooth gait.
Benny has the mechanics to gait—she's a purebred Mangalarga Marchador—but she needs to learn the balance and cues to do it on command. This requires developing softness and flexibility with the head up, just like you would develop softness on a loose rein with the head down.
From Obvious to Refined
In the beginning, the cues are obvious—high hands, busy legs, clear direction. As Benny becomes more educated and confident, those cues will become more refined. Michael demonstrates how even something as simple as moving the hindquarters may initially require exaggerated rein movement but will eventually respond to light cues as the horse learns.
"You don’t start finished," Michael reminds us. "You start where you start." The key is not to be afraid of looking obvious or exaggerated in the beginning if it helps the horse find the right answer.
Softness Comes with Practice
Michael also explains the difference between resistance and confusion. If Benny is gaiting and suddenly throws her head or shuts down, it’s not rebellion—it’s a sign she’s unsure. "It’s not an energy problem, it’s an understanding problem," he says. That’s why he stays patient and helps her through it instead of reprimanding her.
Over time, the leg becomes quieter, the reins come lower, and the horse starts to offer the gait because it feels good—not because she's forced into it.
Can Any Gaited Horse Be Taught to Gait?
Yes, but with caveats. Michael says that all true gaited horses can gait, but not all will do it naturally on a loose rein. Some are like natural dancers; others need more instruction and support. Just like teaching a flying lead change or sliding stop, teaching a gait takes knowledge, feel, and sometimes help from an experienced trainer.
"She knows how to gait," he says. "Now we just have to show her how to do it on cue." For those unfamiliar with training gaited horses, Michael recommends mentorship or guidance to ensure the horse receives the clarity and support needed to succeed.
Final Thought: Crystal Clear Communication
This session demonstrates that the path to a consistent, smooth, and collected gait lies in clarity, repetition, and soft guidance. "Crystal clear communication is the pathway to success," Michael says. From loose rein softness to collected engagement, the journey of teaching a horse to gait deliberately is as much about the rider’s consistency and feel as it is about the horse’s natural ability.
