MARCH 2007

EASY TO RIDE OR EASY ON THE RIDER?©

    "These horses are so easy to ride." We hear this all too often when soft-gaited horse lovers are singing the praises of their horses. Unfortunately, this is quite misleading. Walk-trot horses perform three gaits. soft-gaited horses are capable of performing seven or eight gaits. doesn't this make the "easy to ride" claims a bit suspicious?

    Imagine taking your knowledge of driving a conventional automobile and sitting behind the wheel of an 18-wheeler with more than 13 forward gears.

    These soft-gaited wonders have so much to offer us. Why not experience the whole package? the whole category of soft-gaited horses offers such fabulous dispositions and the relationship between horse and rider can be joyful without ever knowing what you're missing. In fact. most of our horses will naturally give you a comfortable ride. But giving your attention to develop riding skills when you first get started, can enrich the whole riding and horse ownership experience for life! the square gait that we prize, makes the highest demands on the musculature of the horse. So even though it is natural to our horses, if they are allowed to take "short-cuts" they will/. Optimum and correct gaiting are the responsibility of the owner/rider.

    Watching professional riders, it is easy to see their skill and how they can make any horse move correctly. Sending your horse to a professional trainer is an excellent way to begin, but unless you learn proper riding skills, once you get the horse home, it can revert to sloppy gaiting in no time.    

    I hear this complaint quite often when folks respond to my column with questions. "My horse used to gait really well, and now it doesn't. What can I do about it?" Unfortunately, one of the first things they do is call the farrier and start fooling with shoes to "correct" the gait. This is certainly starting down the slippery slope, and can lead to much frustration and unnecessary expense. Our soft-gaited horses perform several pleasant gaits. It's between horse and rider to maintain the excellence of these gaits.

    My wonderful mare Daisy is one of those horses I describe as "doesn't know how not to gait." she is the horse I can let the novice riders who are new to gaiteds ride. No matter what they do, she gaits. But even with Daisy, I have to regularly ride her and "keep her tuned up." If I wait through too many rides, even Daisy begins to be "off".

    Once you have your riding skills, it's helpful to ride as many well-gaited horses as you can. A call to a soft-gaited horse breeder can sometimes generate an invitation to try a horse or two. Many gaited horse owners are happy to share the experience of riding their horse- if only up and down the lane, or in an arena. It's important to experience a good 4-beat gait. Trying to identify correct gait  without riding correct horses is like trying to explain color in a black and white world. A Paso Fino, a Mountain Horse, Peruvian Paso, Walking Horse all would serve the purpose, if they are correctly gaited.

    A smooth 4-beat gait is a distinctive feeling whether it's a paso llano or a flat walk. The quality you should be looking for is smooth. Once you recognize smooth, you won't be happy with anything else, and you will keep you horse consistent. Don't  go for speed until you have smooth. Go back to the walk - it's at the heart of a well-gaited horse. Walking with you  horse, at a brisk stride, not a meander, will give you the opportunity to truly become acquainted. It is valuable to know what your horse can accomplish both in movement and in behavior. this connection in understanding will facilitate the relationship of horse and rider for a long and pleasurable association. There are no shortcuts. But taking time to develop your riding skills is the surest way to make your horse easy to ride. Enjoy the process!