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Training a green horse to gait for the first time is one of the most exciting milestones in horse development. In this session, Michael Gascon works with Bambi, a three-year-old Paso Fino filly just a little over a month under saddle. With championship bloodlines and a fiery personality, Bambi is wired with energy—making her the perfect candidate to showcase how to start a young gaited horse correctly.
Preparing a Green Horse for Gait Work
Before asking a horse to gait, it’s crucial to establish a solid foundation. Bambi had already been introduced to basic riding, obstacles, and desensitization. Now, the next step is teaching her how to channel that natural energy into a smooth, consistent gait.
Equipment Used
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Bit: A spoon bit with a small shank to encourage her to lift her head comfortably.
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Breaching: Similar to what you’d see on a mountain horse, mule, or carriage horse. Breaching helps keep the saddle in place and, in this case, encourages Bambi to engage her hindquarters without getting strung out.
The breaching acts as a subtle support system, teaching the horse to naturally collect and stay underneath themselves instead of hollowing out.
Building a Frame for Consistency
When starting a green horse in gait, consistency from the rider creates consistency in the horse.
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Hands: Keep a light, steady frame with relaxed hands. The goal is not to pull but to offer a boundary the horse can work within.
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Seat & Posture: Looking up, sitting tall, and keeping elbows close to the body encourages the horse to lift and animate.
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Legs: Rest lightly at the horse’s side. Apply pressure only if the horse slows down too much; relax if the horse maintains the desired rhythm.
Bambi quickly learned that her freedom existed inside this frame. By finding her “happy place,” she discovered that staying consistent with speed and headset meant comfort and release.
Allowing Energy Without Losing Control
Paso Finos are naturally energetic and animated, but the key is teaching them when to turn the motor on and when to relax.
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Reins Up = Time to engage and work with energy.
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Reins Down = Relaxation and calmness.
This clear communication helps horses understand the difference between training and downtime. As Michael explains, you can’t just push for gait right away; that risks creating resistance, tension, or burnout. Instead, the horse should learn that energy has a purpose and relaxation is always the reward.
Why Foundation Work Matters
Bambi’s quick progress wasn’t luck—it came from months of groundwork and step-by-step training. She first learned respect, moving off pressure, and following rider cues before being asked to gait.
Just like advancing through grades in school, a horse must pass each stage before moving on. Because Bambi had a solid “kindergarten and first grade” foundation, she could now confidently succeed in her gait “class.”
The Beauty of the Paso Fino
Paso Finos, originally developed in Puerto Rico, Colombia, and the Dominican Republic, descend from Andalusian horses crossed with hardy native ponies. Known as the smoothest riding horses in the world, their natural gait makes them favorites for long days in the saddle.
With her pedigree and energy, Bambi is bred for brilliance. The goal isn’t just to create a flashy show horse but also a happy, reliable saddle horse that can both perform with high energy and relax when asked.
Finishing Every Ride Calm and Quiet
No matter the intensity of the session—gaiting, cantering, or obstacle work—every ride should end with calmness. By relaxing his body and dropping the reins, Michael encourages Bambi to lower her head and walk quietly.
