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Can someone explain a gaited horse to me?

29K views 122 replies 23 participants last post by  trailhorserider 
#1 ·
I am an eventer and have been riding for about 8 years now and have learned a lot in that time about horses, but one (of the many) things that still evades me is gaited horses. Is it really physically impossible for them to trot and gallop? What is the difference between the different types of "walk"? What does the paso feel like to ride? Any info would be greatly appreciated...I am endlessly curious on this subject. Books and magazines all say the same things about the mechanics of each gait (basically walk but different tempo patterns for Tenessee Walkers and Saddlebreds), but not what they feel like and look like to ride. I don't think the writers usually know much about any type of gaited horses either, just that it looks very different and flashy and is supposedly very comfortable to ride a gaited horse (any type). It is a mystery to me and I finally can't stand it anymore! :)
 
#2 ·
I don't know about the other breeds but I have a fox trotter and she does have the normal gaits. Walk, trot, canter, and gallop. I have even barrel raced with her for fun. When she gaits it is smooth. I don't know how to explain it but its very smooth and ground covering. I know that is not much help in explaining it.
 
#4 ·
What you read in the books is correct, and unless you ride one you cannot appreciate a gaited Horse. They are very smooth-no bounce in the saddle. I have a MFT and she is very smooth. They have different gaits and to me it's realy just either slower or faster. They can move out, but it feels very smooth.
 
#5 ·
Is it really physically impossible for them to trot and gallop?
No, although some won't and they're usually trained not to. It depends on the breed and the horse. It's the same with canter. Saddlebreds, Icelandics and MFT's all canter; other breeds might not.

What is the difference between the different types of "walk"?
Well, there are actually five different easy gaits. However they're called different things by different breed associations which makes it confusing. Using the most common names, the five gaits are: the foxtrot, running walk, saddle rack, rack, and step pace. The difference between the saddle rack and rack is very small, with the rack being faster. The running walk is literally a fast walk, but technically all the other gaits are different in some way. The step pace is not considered desirable for most breeds, but any breed might do it.

What does the paso feel like to ride?
Which paso? There are four - the paso fino, paso corto, paso largo and paso llano. The fino and corto the same as the saddle rack, and the largo is a true rack. They are all gaits of the Paso Fino. The paso llano is technically the same as the running walk except with an outward swinging of the front legs. It is the main gait of the Peruvian.

I have only ridden the saddle rack/rack but I've heard that each gait feels different. In the rack you feel an up-and-down motion but without a bounce if that make sense. You really feel it in the hips.
 
#12 ·
Liz Graves does a great job of explaining the intermediate gaits of various gaited breeds.

Easy-gaited horses: gentle, humane ... - Google Books
That book is by Lee Ziegler not Liz Graves. And to avoid sounding like a know-it-all, I'm just going to refer those with questions to that book since some inaccurate things have been posted here.

The thing you have to understand is that it wasn't until very recently that gaited horses were studied scientifically. There are still many myths about them so you have to be careful where you get your info from. The book Easy-Gaited Horses is regarded as the Bible on the subject.
 
#8 ·
Hmmm...very interesting. Thanks everybody that helps a lot! Other contributions are still welcome. Now I really want to ride a gaited horse to see what you're talking about! Do you have to post/sit a different way for different gaits?
 
#10 ·
One more thing, the gaited breeds do not have suspension in their gaits so that is why it is smoother. They make wonderful trail horses for that reason, you can ride all day & not get tired.

It is physically impossible for many gaited breeds to trot. Tennessee Walkers & Racking horses don't trot, the gaits look more like a pace (like racing trotters) but if the horse actually starts moving "pacey" it make it rough for the rider.

The "big lick" walk looks like two different movements from the front to the back.

When you sit on one, typically the rider sits deep & back & very little leg is needed. You "pick up" on the rein to lift the front end & sit back to drop the back - kiss & GO!

You can go to the Horsetopia website & do a search on gaited breeds. Many show short clips.
 
#14 ·
Someone posted that it was physically impossible for many gaited breeds to trot. This is actually not true. They all have the means and ability to trot (and canter, as a side note), but they are not trained or bred to do so. They are conformationally the same as a trotting horse. Gaiting in a genetically ingrained behavior. It is simply natural to them to gait.

Some will trot when they're getting lazy and are not made to stay in a gait. Some horses simply hate to trot and will gait constantly, even at liberty.
 
#16 ·
i have never riden a gaited horse that trots when they are getting lazy. Most here are racking horses & they never trot! Some will PACE when they are getting laxy, but never trot!!!

Around here there are many gaited horses. They are bred specially to gait, not trot. When the foals are born, the breeder will say..."look at those crooked legs! That's a good one!"

Conformationally, they are different. The hind legs are set back more & wobble in the hocks. The breeders LOVE IT if they see the hocks rolling around! That means the horse will rack very well...

Saddlebreds can be 3 or 5 gaited, with trot in both types. however, many racking horses can not trot. it doesn't happen, from the time they are born! I would love to see one of you try to get them to trot!

The gait they do looks like a pace, but is a little different, more four beat. The Tennessee Walkers have a "head-bobbin" gait where it looks like they are troting in front but walking in the back. There is little to no suspension which is why it is so smooth to ride. The "big Lick" walk on the padded shoes is very weird to ride, i can't really describe it, but if you get the opportunity to try, DO IT!!

I have riden many of these horses & even owned a few. Also I had a pony that was 1/2 racking horse & 1/2 shetland. it is very common in the south to use a shetland pony for a teasing stallion because the thinking is that they are not big enough to get the mare pg, however, every once in a while the shetland convinces the mare to cooperate...the result is a pony like mine, walk, rack, trot & canter.

If you want to ride some, make a trip to Tennessee & go on some rides. The rider doesn't post except on Saddlebreds & Park Morgans & Arabians.

The paso's do a shorter stepping movement...it looks like they are going over hot sand:D (ouch, ouch, ouch, ouch!) Also I see a lot of them paddling in the front.

Around here, riders get upset if there are Saddlebreds & Racking horses in the same class because the movement of the two is soooooooooo different!
 
#15 ·
Very interesting! We have some debates going on here. :) I will keep following closely to see what conclusions you guys come to. Thank you for the video Lady Trails...that looks totally weird to me, like he's going to break into a trot or canter at any given moment! It is not difficult for the horse to do that for a long period of time? Can you jump a gaited horse? Is their canter any different than that of a normal WTC horse? Sorry for all the questions...this is just making me more curious! :)
 
#22 ·
Just because a horse won't trot doesn't mean it can't. It's not "physically impossible" for any horse to trot.

Nice post Guilherme. I also like the continuum way of explaining gaiting.

It is not difficult for the horse to do that for a long period of time?
All of the easy gaits take more energy than trotting. But the saddle rack/true rack take much more (and put more strain on the horse) than the running walk and foxtrot.

Can you jump a gaited horse?
Yes, but whether they continue to gait correctly if you jump them a lot is another question. Jumping and gaiting ask very different things of a horse.

Is their canter any different than that of a normal WTC horse?
It can be. Some gaited horses do a "rocking chair" canter which has more up and down movement. Here's a video:

 
#18 ·
Many racking horses are built to trot, and many walking horses are built to pace.

I like my walking horses to pace to build rear end. Even padded horses are trained to do a hard gait(usually pace) to build rear end. This is usually when they're 18 months old, and they start showing at the Walk at 2 years.
 
#19 · (Edited)
My Walker mare will trot or stepping pace if she gets 'strung out' at a speedy running walk, because when she's not in good condition it's harder to stay in gait at high speeds or on uneven ground. Since I have quarter horses the trot is easy to recognize. Her 'square trot' (like a QH trot) is soft as a WP jog trot with just a little more animation - sweet! I don't encourage it because I'm still trying to keep her able to do a speed running walk. The pace is harder to catch, but it has more of a side-to-side rhythm that isn't the smooth glide of the runing walk.

Hrsrdr, regarding your comment that the gait on the video looked like the horse was ready to break out into a trot or canter...when you're riding that gait (look at the rider) it feels like the horse's four legs and head/neck are humming along like a well tuned machine while you're sitting gracefully and quietly aboard. It doesn't feel like a transition, like the horse is gathering up, ready to change gaits. It also feels fast! In a ride a few weeks ago, I clocked my mare at her regular walk on our gravel roads (she goes much smoother and faster on a smooth dirt trail). She was 5 MPH at the regular easy walk, about 6 MPH for an energetic forward moving walk, and a little over 7 MPH at the running walk. Because we were on gravel, I couldn't get her up into her fast running walk and "ride the glidei"; she kicks up gravel and doesn't 'fly' on gravel like she does on the dirt trails.
 
#20 ·
Gait Primer for the Trotting Rider

There are many misconceptions about “gaited” horses. A lateral, as opposed to diagonal, way of going is not uncommon in the animal world. It is not the result of lameness or physical defect. It is just another variation on a theme.

The gaited horse of European antiquity was a road horse. It was an animal designed to get a rider from here to there in relative comfort. Prior to modern times there were three ways to travel on land: wheeled conveyance, astride, or “shank’s mare.” Between the fall of Rome and the Renaissance most European roads were little more than dirt tracks (except for the remnants of the Roman road system). A comfortable horse was valuable. It also had to be able to navigate washouts, downed trees, and bandits. Jumping and sprinting ability would be important. So would the ability to move laterally in response to the leg. This history is important because these were the foundation gaited horses exported to the New World starting with Christopher Columbus.

To visualize gait, draw a line on a piece of paper, maybe eight inches long. On the right end of the line make a mark and label it “trot.” On the left end make a mark and label it “pace.” In the center make a mark and label it “center gait.” Now we have a “template” where we can place the different ways of going of the different types of gaited horses. This will allow a comparison without getting lost in breed-specific terminology.

Any horse to the left of the center gait will be a lateral horse. Gaits here include the rack, stepping pace, marcha picada, etc. Gaits to the right of center will include the foxtrot, marcha batida, etc.

There is sometimes a problem in terminology. The “pace” on the left end of the line is a true pace, a two beat, lateral gait. In a great deal of equine literature the term “pacing/pacy horse” is applied to any horse with a gait that is not a “trot” (a two beat diagonal gait with a moment of suspension). The reader must take great care to ensure what the writer means. Similarly, the horse to the right of the center is “trotty.” This is sloppy language. Sloppy language often leads to sloppy thinking. To try and tighten the language I’m going to use the terms “lateral” for “pacy” and “diagonal” for “trotty.”

The lateral gait is the smoothest because the horse is using its body to absorb the shock of hoof impact with the ground. The lateral gaits also demand more of the horse in terms of energy expenditure and, as the gait moves further to the left of the spectrum it will require the horse to travel with a hollow back. In the trotting world a hollow back is a serious no-no. It is not so serious in the laterally gaited world as long as the rider manages the problem. This means mixing the gaits (including the canter) during the course of a ride.

The diagonal gait is less smooth but permits more athletic movement (lateral movements, quick changes in direction or speed, etc.). You don’t “post” a diagonal gait, you “sit” it.

To get an idea of just how the lateral gait works perform this exercise, first described by Dr. Deb Bennett. Get down on all fours on a carpeted floor (for comfort) and “walk” using the normal equine foot fall sequence. Now “trot” moving diagonal pairs. Don’t try for a “moment of suspension.” Get a feel for the movement. Then “pace” using lateral pairs. Again, try and get a feeling for the movement. If you are doing it correctly then you will find the exercise is considerably more challenging and will require more energy. A correctly performed center gait (running walk or equivalent) is a relatively low energy gait. The trot is next, followed by the pace.

Since a human is not a horse the above exercise is an approximation. But it it’s useful as a demonstration of the energy budget in types of movement.

The diagonal gaits are not common in North American gaited horses. Thus they are almost never discussed. But they exist, and those who make blanket statements like “gaited horses never trot” just have never been to Brazil where there are 350,000 Mangalarga Marchadors (which will trot nicely) plus several tens of thousands more of Campolinas and Mangalarga Paulistas. The Paulista is almost always a trotter, but may also have a “fourth gear” (from its Marchador heritage). The Campolia gait, the marcha verdadeira, is described as an “ambling” gait, suggesting it’s lateral. I’ve only seen a couple and they were quite centered. They also have a strong trotting heritage, however (from Andalusian, Anglo-Norman, Clydesdale, Holsteiner, and American Saddle Horse blood). The gait likely comes from its Barb blood, refined by the addition of Mangalarga Marchador blood.

This is important because all the gaited horses found in the world today are mixtures and all carry multiple gaits. For an interesting discussion see this thread:

http://www.horseforum.com/gaited-horses/gaited-horses-dressage-70584/

Conformationally, the laterally gaited horse may have some subtle differences, such as a very slightly longer rear leg, permitting the “overstride” necessary for some gaits. This will often give that horse, standing squarely, the appearance of being “downhill.” This is not a negative in this type of horse.

One thing that is a serious negative is crooked rear legs (a/k/a “sickle hocks”). A longer, but straight, rear leg is strong and capable. A crooked leg is weaker and will, in time, cause the horse to breakdown. It may also contribute to the much higher incidence of stiffle issues found in laterally gaited horses. This is Conformation 101 (combined with Equine Biomechanics 101).

A diagonally gaited horse will have virtually no conformational variations from its trotting cousins. The main difference will be in the brain, were the timing of the footfalls begins.

This piece is already much longer than I intended but the level of mis- and dis-information in the gaited world is really significant. The gaited horse comes in many “flavors” and each will have its own abilities and virtues. Conformation and way of going are closely linked, but way of going can be altered by rider position, tack, foot care practices, etc. A trot is a trot is a trot, but gait exists along that continuum we sketched out above. To effectively ride the gaited horse takes some skill in riding and husbandry. Gaited horses cannot do everything a trotter can do, and vice versa. The rule of Horses for Courses still applies.

G.
 
#21 ·
Guilherme,

Thanks for the history lesson. Very well put, but I would bet some confusion still exists!

There was probably misunderstanding in my post, because I do not use "gaited" horse & "racking" horse as the same. the term "Racking" horse I use is a registered horse that must gait.

So, yes, some gaited horses do trot & gait, some Racking horses gait & trot, but usually it means they are mixed, as you say, and the usual reason they mix breed is for color.

The Racking horse, around here anyway, is almost always black & the breeders will sell off any that trot & not use them for breeding. Again, they are only mix-breeding them for color, such as the Spotted Saddle horse. Therefore, they maybe show more "pure" horses without the ability to trot.

There are lots of gaited horses in the south, and the breeders do not want to keep any that trot. So in other places you may see a Registered Racking horse trot, but most physically cannot do it.

The ones that are mixed & can trot & gait, the breeders tell me that if it gaits after a walk, it is mixed breed TW or Racking. If it gaits after the trot, it is mixed with Saddlebred.

As far as other countries, that I do not know!
 
#26 ·
Guilherme-thank you for the awesome post; it was very informative and professional!

And thank you pony boy for the video...now I know why I confused someone in a previous post when I mentioned that a horse I rode had a "rocking horse" canter. I said it in reference to the horse having a lot of suspension and lightness of the forehand when he cantered...I'd heard the term before and didn't know when else you would apply it. Now I know! :)

The rack is amazing...what is the footfall pattern on that? In AnitaAnne's 2nd video, at 3:12, he started going faster and it looked more like a canter...same thing in the second racking video at 1:10. Like it went from being even footfall to leading a little with one foreleg and it looked faster. Did he change gaits or just increase speed? How is a rack to ride? Is it as fast as a gallop?

Again, sorry for the constant questions...this is just all so fascinating to me as I have always experienced just normal, ungaited horses...how different they are! Especially about the temperments that you mentioned, AnitaAnne...were they bred specifically for temperment and manageability? Have gaited horses always existed, or how did that start?
 
#27 ·
The rack is amazing...what is the footfall pattern on that?
It's the same as the walk. The difference is that the horse picks up both legs on one side together.

In AnitaAnne's 2nd video, at 3:12, he started going faster and it looked more like a canter...same thing in the second racking video at 1:10. Like it went from being even footfall to leading a little with one foreleg and it looked faster. Did he change gaits or just increase speed?
I'm not sure... Possibly the horse changed to a step pace which is uneven 4 beats.

Is it as fast as a gallop?
It's about 13 - 25 mph.

Especially about the temperments that you mentioned, AnitaAnne...were they bred specifically for temperment and manageability?
Yes, temperament is a bigger focus in gaited breeds than in normal breeds. However people have different ideas about what a good temperament is.

Have gaited horses always existed, or how did that start?
Some scholars believe that the word "palfrey," which was used in medieval times, meant a gaited horse. Palfreys are known as being "lady's horses" but knights also rode them for traveling long distances. They were expensive horses.
 
#28 ·
Hmmm...interesting! Wow; this thread is almost better than Pony Club! Thanks so much to everyone who has contributed...further posts always welcome, of course.
 
#30 ·
One more thing, the rider! You will notice that the saddle is set back farther than in English or western. Also the rider sits back in a chair seat, the correct position. Some you will see really thrusting their feet forward, which helps the rider to sit back & help the horse work off his hind end. The hands are held higher than most other styles, except maybe some upper level eventers trying to slow their horses...

You will also notice that the riders are not using any leg at all & the hands are generally very quiet. To ride, you sit back then pick up on the reins to lift the head & shoulders & go! Often the horse will sart going as soon as you pick up on the reins. Generally you think of this as "setting the horses head" or "putting them in a headset".

One more thing, the horses are usually trained to "park out" for the rider to mount. This means that the horse's back legs are stretched out way behind them with lowers the horses back & makes it easier to mount. I have found that a 15 hand racking horse feels much smaller than a 15 hand QH, so a tall rider would want one about 16 hands or so.
 
#33 ·
One more thing, the rider! You will notice that the saddle is set back farther than in English or western. Also the rider sits back in a chair seat, the correct position. Some you will see really thrusting their feet forward, which helps the rider to sit back & help the horse work off his hind end. The hands are held higher than most other styles, except maybe some upper level eventers trying to slow their horses...
Yes! I was wondering about that too! So it is actually a fault to sit in the accepted dressage position, with your legs well underneath you? Sitting in a chair seat drops your horse's back, I know that...but that's what you want on a gaited horse, right?

You will also notice that the riders are not using any leg at all & the hands are generally very quiet. To ride, you sit back then pick up on the reins to lift the head & shoulders & go! Often the horse will sart going as soon as you pick up on the reins. Generally you think of this as "setting the horses head" or "putting them in a headset".
So how do you get them to stop? Drop the reins? How do you ask for different gaits?

One more thing, the horses are usually trained to "park out" for the rider to mount. This means that the horse's back legs are stretched out way behind them with lowers the horses back & makes it easier to mount. I have found that a 15 hand racking horse feels much smaller than a 15 hand QH, so a tall rider would want one about 16 hands or so.
I've often wondered about that too...I thought it was just a pose for looks in the show ring (I've also heard it helps hide conformation faults). Isn't that kind of hard on the horse's back? He doesn't have his legs underneath him to balance himself when the rider's weight is all on the left side for mounting.
 
#34 ·
AnitaAnne has given you the "show horse" method. That's one way, but not the only way.

If you are going to try for blue ribbons then you want to follow the "show way." If you don't you are wasting your time.

Outside the show ring the better way is the more classical approach. You put your saddle in the "saddle pocket" where it belongs. You sit squarely in the saddle and use your legs as you would with any classically trained horse. Ditto for using the seat and hands. You will look no different that any person riding a classically trained horse.

G.
 
#37 ·
AnitaAnne has given you the "show horse" method. That's one way, but not the only way.

If you are going to try for blue ribbons then you want to follow the "show way." If you don't you are wasting your time.

Outside the show ring the better way is the more classical approach. You put your saddle in the "saddle pocket" where it belongs. You sit squarely in the saddle and use your legs as you would with any classically trained horse. Ditto for using the seat and hands. You will look no different that any person riding a classically trained horse.

G.
In the south, the way I described is the way to ride them. There is not difference between a show horse or a trail horse here, unless it is not good enough to show. The horses are ridden on the road, up hills, thru the woods, in parades & into the show ring. The only exception would be padded-up horses, they must be a little more careful where they ride, so mostly down the roads. Didn't you notice where these horses were being riden? Down the road racing a truck?? That was not just for the film, that is normal here!
 
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