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Asking your gaited horse for a smooth, consistent gait starts long before the actual training session. It begins with ensuring your horse is confident, calm, and well-broken under saddle. In this guide, we’ll explore the step-by-step process of preparing your horse for gait, how to refine their mechanics, and why patience is the ultimate key to success.
Why Your Horse Might Not Gait Yet
Before addressing gait, it’s essential to evaluate your horse’s training foundation. A horse that isn’t confidently moving from point A to point B isn’t ready for gaiting.
“If a horse can’t consistently walk, trot, and canter under control, it’s like asking for a flying lead change before they can maintain a canter around the arena.”
By prioritizing confidence and control, you set the stage for a smoother transition into gait work.
The Mechanics of Gait: Understanding the Rhythm
Gaited horses differ from trotting horses primarily in footfall patterns. A proper gait has a 4-beat rhythm, where:
- Back feet land first, followed by the front feet.
- There are always three points of contact with the ground, making it incredibly smooth and easy to ride.
Common gait issues include:
- Pacing: A lateral 2-beat gait caused by tension and stiffness.
- Trotting: A diagonal 2-beat gait often linked to lethargy or excessive weight on the forehand.
“The goal is to balance your horse’s mechanics—finding the sweet spot between pacing and trotting.”
Step 1: Start with Respect and Relaxation
A calm horse is a willing horse. Spend time on groundwork, obstacle courses, and trail rides to teach your horse to relax and respond to light cues. Your ultimate aim is a horse that is:
- Confident.
- Responsive.
- Relaxed in any environment.
“The Holy Grail of horse training is a horse that walks quietly and stands still no matter what’s going on.”
Step 2: Introduce Energy with Control
Once your horse is relaxed, begin adding energy. Encourage them to move forward with your legs and, if needed, a crop to reinforce the cue. The goal is to:
- Keep their head up and their hindquarters engaged.
- Drive them forward into the bridle.
Pro Tip: Start using a snaffle with shanks for better control as you guide them into the desired frame.
Step 3: Find the Balance Between Head and Hind
To achieve a smooth gait, balance is key. This involves:
- Raising the head: Prevents the horse from leaning too much on the forehand.
- Engaging the hindquarters: Encourages proper footfall patterns.
Use your hands to create a consistent rectangle frame with the reins, keeping the horse balanced between your hands and legs.
“If the reins are down, the motor is off. When you pick up the reins, the motor turns on.”
Step 4: Address Gait Issues with Targeted Solutions
If your horse tends to pace:
- Lower their head to release tension.
- Focus on bending exercises to improve flexibility.
If your horse trots:
- Raise their head and engage their hindquarters to shift weight off the forehand.
Step 5: Encourage Consistency Before Perfection
Don’t expect perfection overnight. Begin by asking for consistent movement at any gait. Gradually refine the rhythm, ensuring your horse maintains the 1-2-3-4 pattern over time.
“If a horse can gait for 10 seconds, they can gait for 10 hours—you just have to make them comfortable there.”
The Key to Success: Patience and Preparation
Training a gaited horse isn’t about rushing the process. By focusing on relaxation and respect first, you’ll develop a horse that’s responsive, confident, and willing to gait when asked.
Final Thoughts: The Best of Both Worlds
By training your gaited horse as a saddle horse first, you create a solid foundation for both relaxation and energy. The result? A horse that’s calm, quiet, and ready to deliver the smooth, effortless gait you’ve always dreamed of.
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