Jumping Question

I'm not trained in the art of gaited horses. I do own two TWH's. One is 30 and retired, he was originally a show horse but when I got him he because a trail horse. My new walker is a 5 year old mare. She's a trail horse. A pre-teen rides her a few times a week in an english saddle and even posts, I know that's ok because they post in saddle seat. She would like to try jumping her.

So... It's ok to jump a gaited horse right? I mean, there is nothing conformationally that will hurt them... right?

It shouldn't hurt them, but now that I think about it, are your horses able to canter?

she does a "gaited" canter. I don't think it's a proper gait, I geuss it's a canter.

I don't think there's a problem then. You're asking some good questions, you don't see too many gaited jumpers.

I wish I could find it, but I had an article in one of my "Voice" magazines about a TWH that jumped. Might be on the TWHBEA website? Anyways, not real common, but definitely a possibility. LoL, if I were a decent rider I would get my girl into it, because she LOVES to jump 4 foot fences.

Yeah, they canter...it's just more of a rolling canter. It's actually called a "rocking horse canter" for obvious reasons. Supposedly smoother...lol, I dunno about that. My horse is only 3 so I've only cantered on her once, and that was by accident.

it is smoother. It's kind of a sideways-ish feeling but smooth!

As long she is balanced in a canter I would see no problem with it. All horses can jump. Start low though.

my friend might do a jumping class with her walker so i dont see why not!!!

yes a gaited horse can jump, without a problem, I was going to train this paso fino (yes I know you have a walker but its still a gaited horse) to jump because she loved jumping ditches on the trail but i stopped soon after I started because she is kind of lazy and ALWAYS nicked the jump with her hind foot. I am however now starting to train my spotted saddle horse gelding to jump and he is doing great. BUT just like any other horse you would want to make sure the legs and knees are COMPLETELY sound before you start jumping.

also here is a video of a walker jumping, very well