MONTHLY

In this issue... ELIMINATE BALKY BEHAVIOR BUY OR RESCUE? GAITED- MYTHS

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Willing forward movement is the foundation of all riding. Here’s what to do when your horse balks.

Balky horses have reasons for their behavior. Here’s how to recognize root causes and overcome the different varieties of balkiness. WHY WON’T HE MOVE?

3 | MARCH HORSE&RIDER MONTHLY you’re like most horse people, you’ve encountered a balky IF horse or two. When it happens, though, do you know RULE OUT HEALTH PROBLEMS what’s causing the behavior and how to handle it? There are Balkiness in horses is commonly caused by pain. If your horse actually various causes of balkiness, each requiring a differ- balks, explore this angle first by testing him for soundness and having a thorough examination by a veterinarian. A few of the many potential ent approach. physical causes include: Using insight I’ve gleaned from working with countless • Sore , ill-fitting • Sore joints horses at clinics, I’ll explain the different forms of balkiness • Stomach ulcer • Neurologic issues I’ve identified, explore what causes the behavior, and show • Dental issues Once a veterinarian has ruled out pain, then proceed with handling the you how to overcome it. Physical pain can cause a reluctance balkiness as a behavior issue. to move, but once a veterinarian has ruled that out, there are three key types of balkiness—herd-bound, lack of confi- dence, and rider-induced. I’ll discuss each in turn.

Herd-Bound Behavior: Your horse resists leaving the barn or a herdmate. He hates moving away from things he enjoys or finds comfort in. At some point during a ride, he may plant his feet and refuse to be ridden any farther from the place or horse he’s drawn to. Even if he doesn’t completely plant his feet, he may walk slower going away from home than he does returning home, even zigzagging to try to linger there. It may even be difficult to control his speed on the way home, a danger connected to this type of balkiness. Cause: His mind and attention remain at home even though he’s being ridden physically away from home. He’s so preoccu- pied with staying home or returning there that any ride you do get from him will be difficult and potentially dangerous. Solution: Gain his respect and focus his attention on you, and therefore away from his stall, pen, or equine companion. Be- fore even attempting to leave home with a herd-bound balky horse, do groundwork or mounted exercises, such as circles and footwork movements. These will get his attention on you and away from his source of preoccupation. Once he’s tuned in, keep a focused, purposeful demeanor and immediately ask him to leave his comfort zone. Too much of a pause will allow his mind to wander back to his stall, feed, or stablemate. If he still resists, repeat some of the exercises and immediately ask again for him to leave the area. Be deliber- ate, firm, and patient, as this may take several repetitions. Success will be measured in how readily your horse moves away from his home zone, how long he keeps his focus on you once away, and whether he can maintain his focus and an even pace on his way back. It’s natural for horses to want to return home at a slightly brisker pace than they maintained when leaving, but your horse shouldn’t ignore your cues. In the end, if you’ve adequately focused his attention, he’ll be “with you” re- gardless of where you are. Save some riding time for when you return to the barn or your unsaddling area, so he’s not expecting to be immedi- ately untacked, groomed, and allowed to relax. This can be done in an arena, around the property, or even in front of the TOP: Put a barn-bound horse to work in ways that require him to focus on your requests, barn, as long as he knows arriving home doesn’t mean instant then immediately mount up and ask him to move away from home. BELOW: After a ride, release from everything you did that day. → work him at the barn before putting him up, so “home” doesn’t only mean “rest.”

4 | MARCH HORSE&RIDER MONTHLY Lacking Confidence challenge. This causes a horse to resist even LEFT: A timid horse needs a moment to assess Behavior: Your horse resists moving toward more, and if really pressured, he may begin what's frightening him­­­­­—in this case, railroad tracks. MIDDLE: Ask a fearful horse for just one a scary spot in an arena (such as a flag or to rear and run backward. step at a time over a scary obstacle, like this banner) or on the (such as a bridge or a Instead, be persistent and carefully time bridge. RIGHT: Ride a dull horse from one corner railroad crossing). He’s balking because he your releases of pressure with each step of the arena to the other. lacks confidence. He plants his feet or tries forward. Once successfully past the trouble to move away from what he fears. spot, go back and forth by it several times kicking out or . Cause: As prey animals, horses natu- to establish success and build trust for the Solution: Teaching a balky horse to move rally fear many things. Staying away from next attempt to pass something spooky. freely through transitions forward is best anything suspicious—whether it’s a sight, done with a light squeeze of the legs and a sound, or scent—is how they stay alive Rider Error light, rhythmic tapping with a riding crop. in nature. Unfortunately, this innate fear Behavior: Your horse is dull, lazy, and hard to This tapping should slightly build in pres- can become an overall lack of confidence get moving in the arena—and for seemingly sure until the horse gets going a faster. under saddle that ruins rides. Overcoming it no reason. In this case, pilot error could be Make sure to persist until forward happens. requires getting the horse to trust that your to blame. Many horses don’t go forward free- Exactly at that moment, stop the squeeze judgment will keep him safe. ly because of the way they’re ridden. If you and the tapping. If your horse slows down Solution: Whether you’re in the arena or on give conflicting cues, time cues improperly, again, then simply repeat. the trail, your approach is the same. First, find or attempt to micromanage your horse with- It’s best to travel on long, straight lines how near the scary thing your horse will ap- out giving him relief from pressure, he may across an arena or large, open area. When proach willingly and confidently. Then stop simply resist moving at all. you get across the arena or to the open area’s him and wait a few moments, allowing him Cause: Your overuse of aids is confusing edge, stop and rest a moment, then ride to take a look. Then ask with a light squeeze your horse and denying him any relief or straight back across. Continue like this until or bump of your legs until he takes a step comfort. Some riders simultaneously pull the horse is moving out freely and looking forward, or even just “thinks” forward. When on the reins and pester their horse with forward in the direction of travel. he does, release the pressure for a moment. continuous squeezing or kicking. Then, The brief rest at each end point can really Then ask again. Each step forward will build in frustration, many attempt what I call get a horse looking forward and moving to more steps. “the one-whack solution.” This is accom- out. I’ve helped hundreds of horse-and-rider The key here is patience and timing to plished with a forceful kick of the legs combinations overcome this type of balki- build his trust in you so he feels confident and/or spank with the reins or crop to get ness in a short time using this method. But going where you want. Too often, riders add the horse to move out. Unfortunately, this do remember—this strategy works only if high pressure with a flurry of kicks when just makes a horse suck back and resist you make sure not to pull on the reins at the the horse is thinking “backward” from the even more—sometimes to the point of same time as using leg aids. 

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Global Excellence in Animal Health BY SUE PEARSON ATKINSON

TO THE

RESCUE!Small budget, good intentions… so why not adopt your next horse? Good idea—but review our savvy strategy first.

“Rescue horse” brings to mind a neglected or abused animal, and such horses do abound at horse-rescue facilities today. But did you know you can also find healthy, rideable, talented horses? We’ll tell you how to go about adopting your next horse. ISTOCKPHOTO.COM

7 | MARCH HORSE&RIDER MONTHLY dopting a horse is tempting in so many • Do you have a suitable place to keep • Can you return the horse if it doesn’t Aways. If you’re the emotional type, a horse (or a second horse) and enough work out? A good rescue will allow you a you’ve saved a life. If you’re the practi- money for feed, hoof and veterinary care, time period for settling in together and cal sort, you’ve saved a lot of money on and other maintenance? True, your new will take the horse back if you feel you’ve purchase price. And if you’re both kinds of horse might cost you only a nominal adop- made a mistake. horse enthusiast, isn’t this a great idea? tion fee to acquire—typically from around • Does the rescue have good referenc- Not so fast. Unless you do your home- $200 to $600 for a rehabbed horse, though es? Find others who’ve adopted from the work, taking in a horse from a rescue facility a specialty breed with training could come facility you’re considering and ask them (which places otherwise “unwanted” horses with a fee of up to $2,000 or more. (And about their experience during and after the with new owners) or from any other “free” some rescues waive the adoption fees in adoption process. source could spell trouble or even disaster. special circumstances.) We’ll tell you how to proceed with caution, Still, as with all horse acquisitions, it’s the THE HORSE IN getting your head and your heart togeth- ongoing maintenance costs of the animal QUESTION er for what could be the most wonderful that are your true expense. So, any way you You’ve found a facility you can trust. Now equine adventure of your life. look at it, put the notion of a “free” horse out apply equal diligence in checking out any of your mind. horse you’re considering for adoption. A DIFFERENT KIND OF HORSE • Spend plenty of time with the horse Many rescues are seeing a different kind CONSIDER THE SOURCE while it’s still at the rescue. Ask about of surrender situation now than in earlier Your self-assessment is done, but before you handling issues and whether the horse has years. Before it was mostly horses that peo- begin looking at specific horses, check out any behavioral vices. If you’re looking for a ple no longer wanted; now it’s also horses the rescue organization that’s offering them ridable mount, have someone at the rescue they can no longer financially care for. for adoption. ride it for you before you mount up. (If they So while rescues around the country still • Is it a registered non-profit? If the res- won’t, there’s very likely a problem, and you have many older, starved, and sick animals, cue has 501(c)(3) status, it means the oper- probably shouldn’t try to ride it, either.) they also have something new: healthy, ators have gone through some extra work • When you find one you think might well-cared-for horses that owners simply to define and run their business. There are be for you, arrange for a health exam (vet can no longer afford. no regulated in- check). Without To up your own chances for making a suc- dustry standards, one, your wonderful cessful adoption, follow these guidelines, and not all rescue “bargain horse” can organized into three important checklists. centers are well turn into a heart- Begin with yourself. run, so it’s worth Think through breaking money pit. knowing whether Horses with navicular YOUR WANTS, NEEDS the proprietors your motivation disease, ringbone, Think through your motivation and goals have at least gone and goals for and a long list of other for adopting a horse. to this effort. disorders could look • What do you want—a mount for casual • Does the rescue adopting a horse. and seem fine, but recreational riding? Something you can rehabilitate horses their hidden health compete on? A pasture pet to be company from neglectful or problems can turn for a horse you already own? Obviously, abusive situations into huge vet bills. For your answer will affect the breadth and before trying to this reason, the lack depth of your search, as well as what you place them with of a vet check is the can expect to pay in adoption fees (more on new owners? It should. If it doesn’t, you most common cause of a bad experience that in a moment). might wind up bringing home a spe- with a rescue horse. • What’s your skill level with horses? Are cial-needs horse that requires a demanding Some rescues have their horses examined you experienced enough to work through regimen to be brought back to good health. by a veterinarian when they take them in; the trust issues that come with a neglected • Are you being pressured? Back away others don’t. Either way, you’ll want a vet or abused animal? Can you work with a from any attempts to hurry you into a de- you trust to check the horse before you young, unstarted horse? cision. The best rescue operators want the take him home. You won’t necessarily need If you haven’t ridden since childhood adoption to succeed as much as you do and expensive x-rays, but you do need a basic, or are new to riding and/or ownership, a will spend the time it takes to make sure overall health assessment. quiet, serviceably sound senior horse will you find a suitable match. Again, adopting • Expect to sign a contract if you do be a better choice. (You’ll be doing no horse a horse is a huge responsibility, financially adopt. Most well-run rescues will require any favors if you take on more than you can and emotionally. Take the time it takes to one; be sure to read it carefully and fulfill competently handle.) make a prudent decision. your promises regarding your new horse’s

8 | MARCH HORSE&RIDER MONTHLY care, handling, and potential future trans- fers of ownership.

DEALING WITH UNKNOWNS What won’t you know about your new adoptee? It depends on where the horse came from originally. Because there are more horses being relinquished these days by conscientious but financially stressed owners, you could learn a fair bit about a horse from this type of situation. Feel free to ask questions and inquire about registra- tion papers. Horses coming from abusive or neglectful situations, however, don’t arrive at the res- cue facility with much information about their history, so you won’t be able to find out much. Fortunately, in such a situation, a well-run rescue operation can take some of the guesswork out of the deal.

STRAIGHT FROM THE OWNER Although a good rescue facility will give you a real advantage in finding the horse you seek, such operations aren’t the only source of no-cost or low-cost horses. An owner might be going away to college and more interested in finding a good home for a beloved horse than earning money in the transaction. Or someone in need of a break from the cost of horse care might gift a horse, tempo- rarily or permanently, to someone offering a good home. Broodmares might need to be culled from a breeding program, or young horses might need expensive training own- ers can no longer afford. Increasingly, online horse classifieds are including “free horse” listings (see many examples at Equine.com—plug “$0 to $0” in the price window of the search function). Here, you’ll see many horses that at one time would’ve been in the ubiquitous $1,500- to $2,500-horse category. Now, such animals often are offered for free, because much of the buyership in that range has become an “adopter-ship” instead. Bear in mind, however, that you’ll still need the experience and/or the financial resources to provide any needed training if you’re looking for a horse you can ride.

TOP PHOTO BY SUE PEARSON ATKINSON; BOTTOM PHOTO BY SUE STEINER BY PHOTO BOTTOM ATKINSON; SUE PEARSON BY PHOTO TOP Without experienced rescue operators to In California, twin sisters MJ and CJ sit confidently on their mounts as foster dad Mike Roberts looks on; in Ohio, help you, ask for the help and advice of a Erin Steiner has show-ring aspirations for Darcy, a 5-year-old Incentive Fund-nominated Quarter Horse mare. horse-savvy friend, or pay to enlist the sup-

9 | MARCH HORSE&RIDER MONTHLY WHO CARES ABOUT RESCUE These good-looking horses were waiting to be adopted at a Northern California rescue. HORSES? Apparently, a lot of people do. In one survey by American Horse Publica- tions, 63% of those questioned say port of a professional in your search. A sweet mare named Shiloh the unwanted-horse situation is their Matches can also be made through turned out to be a perfect fit. She’d suffered number-one concern. bartering—that is, trading one horse for severe neglect but was coming along well in Increasingly, rescue operations all another with no money changing hands— the rescue’s rehabilitation program. When over the country report being at or over capacity. As a result, many are but, again, experience is key. If you don’t the mare’s ridability was assessed, turns turning away unwanted horses. have it, get help. out Shiloh had some solid training in her It turns out the overburdened background, and a match was made. horse-rescue situation has parallels to HAPPILY EVER AFTER? The second horse Mike acquired for his a troubled housing market. Houses that So, what are the real-world results of taking girls came from a trade. people can no longer afford go into foreclosure, but from that darkness on a rescued or otherwise “unwanted” “This time we dodged a mistake by having emerges a potential bright side: More horse? Here are three stories from people an experienced friend come along,” reveals people can get into home ownership at who took a chance on a free or fee-only an- Mike, who initially had answered an ad to lower prices. imal. Learn from their experiences how to trade a mini for a full-sized horse. He had Similarly, more and more people maximize your own prospects for creating a the mini, but the horse on the other end with economic hardships are offering their horses free to good homes or great new equine partnership. of the deal turned out to be an unstarted surrendering them to rescues with Two thumbs up. Californian Mike 2½-year-old filly—an unsuitable choice for the hope of avoiding feedlots and Roberts isn’t an experienced horse people with limited horse experience. auctions. While this puts stress on the person, yet he wanted to make sure his Mike’s friend helped negotiate for a , it also provides a larger two foster daughters had safe mounts different horse at the same location—a numbers of trained, well-cared-for, healthy animals available at low or no with good temperaments. sturdy 10-year-old Quarter Horse gelding cost up front. “I didn’t know what to look for, so it was with miles of ranch work and trails Horse rescues are learning they important to have help from someone who behind him. have more success with adoption rates was horse savvy,” he says. Mike’s first horse The result? Mike’s now happy to see his by taking in horses that at least have came from a horse rescue, where he got girls with reliable mounts for trail rides a good chance to be rehabilitated or re-schooled for a new job. That means the help he needed from its experienced and local schooling shows. CJ and MJ are there’s never been a better time to director. She knew what Mike was looking enjoying their equine friends while learning consider a rescue-horse adoption. for, and also knew that his twin girls, MJ and about commitment, responsibility, and -

CJ, had some Pony Club experience. ership—not to mention the value of giving a ATKINSON SUE PEARSON BY PHOTO

10 | MARCH HORSE&RIDER MONTHLY Doing your homework and using a checklist can help you wind up with a sound, sensible horse that will serve your needs well. STOCK.ADOBE.COM

worthy animal a second chance in life. to be suitable for only the most experienced Emotion, high; results, low. But it’s of handlers. not always thus. Combine lack of experi- Exceeding expectations. An older, wis- ence, a disreputable owner or facility, and er, and far more experienced Sue later had unrealistic expectations, and you have the a much different experience. She acquired perfect recipe for a sour deal. That’s what an Incentive Fund-nominated Quarter Ohioan Sue Steiner learned when she Horse mare from a rescue organization started her journey with rescue horses 17 she’d thoroughly researched. And then- years ago. She had suitable living quarters 5-year-old Darcy turned out to be a quiet, for a horse, plus the desire to help one willing treasure. in need. What she didn’t have was much No one knows why the young mare was knowledge or experience. passed through one auction to another and As a result, she let her heart rule her head then to a rescue in Pennsylvania. “I think when she saw a staked-out, dejected looking she was just in the wrong place at the wrong horse in a field. Feeling sorry for the horse, time,” says Sue. she contacted the owners; when they told So, with careful attention to your check- her the animal was “a perfect kids’ horse,” lists, you too can make a winning match. she took them at their word. You won’t necessarily come home with a She now knows that the fact the people potential show champion (although it can wouldn’t ride the horse for her should’ve happen!), but you will have saved money, been a big, red flag. And, once she got the saved a horse, and started a wonderful horse home, she discovered that not only new relationship. was it not a kids’ horse, it was so difficult as Now, to the rescue! 

11 | MARCH HORSE&RIDER MONTHLY BY ESSICA JAHIEL, PHD

Gaited horses bred and trained for trail riding, such as this double-registered Tennessee Horse/Spotted Sad- dle Horse, are surefooted, sensible, and will handle even tough trails in style.

10 GAITED-HORSE MYTHS: BUSTED! Our expert counters myths about smooth-gaited horses with 10 fact-based truths. PHOTO BY WILLIAM J. ERICKSON WILLIAM J. BY PHOTO

12 | MARCH HORSE&RIDER MONTHLY You don’t need a special saddle for your gaited horse; a trail saddle with attachments for your saddlebags, as shown on this , will work well. PHOTO BY KENT AND CHARLENE KRONE BY PHOTO

yths and misunderstandings about created by special tack or riding techniques; Walking Horses, American Saddlebreds, Paso M smooth-gaited horses abound. Here, they’re bred into the horses and brought out Finos, and Icelandic Horses, have necks that we’ll bust 10 common myths, taken from by sensible, sympathetic training. are set on higher and carried more upright. real questions posed by horse owners from Some riders prefer one type; some prefer the around the country. MYTH #2 other, but in no way does any horse’s natural We’ll explain why each assumption is Gaited horses are high-headed nutcases silhouette identify it as a “nutcase.” wrong—and why you should consider a “I want a quiet, gentle horse, not a high-head- gaited horse for trail riding. ed crazy one. I can tell by looking at those MYTH #3 heads in the air that gaited horses are You’ll need a long-shanked bit MYTH #1 nutcases.” “I just bought my first gaited horse, and I’d Smooth are artificial Busted! Actually, most gaited breeds are like to take him out on the trail. However, I “The walk, the , and the canter are normal exceptionally gentle and sensible, very far don’t have the right kind of bit. I know you gaits for normal horses. Gaited horses bother from being nutcases. It’s true that many - have to use a long-shanked bit and keep the me, because their smooth gaits are manmade ed breeds are naturally up-headed—as are pressure on all the time to keep a gaited horse and artificial. I’m into natural horsemanship, some of the (supposedly) non-gaited breeds, gaiting. Plus, it seems like the kind of riding and I want my horse to enjoy our trail rides. such as Morgans. you have to do would be way too much work I could never ride a horse that was forced to If you look at the silhouettes of horses on a long trail ride.” perform an artificial gait!” standing in a pasture, you’ll notice differ- Busted! A gaited horse does not need a Busted! Relax. You can safely enjoy gaited ences in the way their necks are set on. special bit or heavy rein pressure in order to horses, natural horsemanship, and trail Some breeds, such as Quarter Horses and gait. Harsh bits and long shanks are bad trail riding—these three things go together very , are less high-headed, with bits for any horse; it’s too easy for those long well. The show ring and the trail are two their necks appearing to come forward out of shanks to get caught in brush or on branches. very different places. Good trail gaits aren’t their backs. Other breeds, such as Tennessee As for pressure, that just makes the ride

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MYTH #5 The saddle should sit mid-back “I’m having a hard time keeping my horse’s saddle in the middle of his back. After riding for about an hour, the saddle comes forward. He actually seems more comfortable when it’s closer to his withers, but I know gaited horses need to have their saddles way back in the middle of their backs.” Busted! This is a bad habit born in the

show ring; placing the saddle far back puts HEIDI MELOCCO BY PHOTO you in a position to strain your horse’s back. A smooth-gaited horse doesn’t need a long-shanked bit or excessive rein pressure to get him into a gait. Gaited horses are just like other horses; they A good gaited horse, such as this Rocky Mountain Horse, will gait in a mild bit on a slack rein.

14 | MARCH HORSE&RIDER MONTHLY Trotting your gaited horse won’t cause him to “lose” his special gaits; don’t worry that he’ll begin offering a trot when you ask him for his walk, foxtrot, or singlefoot. Relax, and trust his intelligence and versatility.

his back, and reach forward and down with his head and neck. He may not get the chance to exercise these muscles in the same way when he’s gaiting, and it’s very good for him to do some cross-training. Don’t worry about causing your horse to “lose” his special gaits, and don’t worry that he’ll begin offering a trot when you ask him for his running walk, foxtrot, or singlefoot. Relax, and trust his intelligence and versa- tility. To ensure that you get the gait that you want when you want it, simply teach him a specific cue to go with each gait. That way,

PHOTO BY WILLIAM J. ERICKSON WILLIAM J. BY PHOTO he’ll understand exactly what you’re asking for at any given moment. eye-rolling, leg-flinging, high-stepping No matter what sort of horse you ride, Many gaited horses can perform many creatures. There are quite a few working you owe it to him to become the best rider gaits and do them all well; think of them as ranches where gaited horses spend their days you can be. If you love trail riding and want extra-special horses with extra gears. It’s stepping over logs, walking through water, to make long, challenging trail rides part of perfectly possible for one horse to be able and carrying their riders smoothly up and your life, then take lessons, practice, and to perform a flatfoot walk, running walk, down hills, and over all kinds of terrain in all work to achieve good balance and coordina- singlefoot, foxtrot, trot, and canter. Find out kinds of weather. tion in the saddle. what your horse can do, and as long as he’s Learn to give aids and cues gently, and at equally comfortable in all of his various gaits, MYTH #8 the most appropriate times. Help your horse encourage him to use the ones that are most Purebred Quarter Horses don’t gait become strong and flexible, and develop suitable for your chosen activities. “My Quarter Horse gelding does a sort of endurance. Help yourself achieve exactly the cross between a walk and a trot when we’re same goals. You’ll both have a much better MYTH #10 on the trail. It’s comfortable for both of us, so time on the trail, and come home from a long Gaited horses aren’t true athletes I just go ahead and let him do it. I don’t show, ride sound, happy, and ready to do it all again “Gaited horses are pretty to watch, but they’re so it doesn’t really matter, but I guess his the next day. just for shows and parades, they’re not useful papers must be fake since he wouldn’t gait if for real work.” he were a purebred Quarter Horse.” MYTH #9 Busted! Gaited horses can be spectacular Busted! Many members of “non-gaited” Trotting ruins smooth gaits to watch at shows and in parades, but those breeds, such as Quarter Horses, Thorough- “Sometimes, I’d like to trot my gaited horse are only two of the many places where gait- breds, Arabians, and Morgans, can walk, on the trail. I’ve seen him trot in the pasture, ed horses excel. From ranch work to police trot, canter, and perform one or more “trail so I know he can do it, but I’ve heard that work to handicapped-riding programs, there gaits.” If your horse has an “extra gear” in the if you let a gaited horse trot, it’ll ruin his are hard-working gaited horses everywhere. form of a comfortable trail gait, relax, and smooth gaits.” They often do well in open competitions, enjoy it. Don’t worry; your horse’s papers are Busted! Trotting is a natural gait for most and are increasingly popular for such probably his own. horses, and is good for their backs, balance, activities as competitive trail riding and and muscular development. Versatile gaited endurance riding. Is Your Gaited Horse Comfortable? horses are quite capable of performing gaits If you do a lot of trail riding, you’ve proba- Gaited horses typically exhibit great toler- that aren’t in their capsule breed description. bly seen and admired gaited horses without ance and great sweetness of temperament, If your horse walks, , and canters in the even realizing that they were gaited. Next and are usually smooth, comfortable rides. pasture, there’s no reason he can’t walk, trot, time you’re on the trail, ask each rider you Any rider can feel comfortable on their and canter under saddle. meet to tell you the breed of his or her horse. backs. But is your gaited horse happy Go ahead and trot your horse, encouraging I’d be willing to bet that many of those horses and comfortable? him to use his belly muscles, lift and stretch will belong to gaited breeds. 

15 | MARCH HORSE&RIDER MONTHLY