I too made the switch to a gaited horse - specifically Rocky/Kentucky Mountain horse breed for myself and my grand children - we are loving it.
Baby Boomer's Choice for ride
2619
18
As I have gotten older I found myself switching my ride to a pleasure gaited horse. I am curious what other baby boomers (55+) are doing?
- Status
1 - 19 of 19 Posts
Joined
·
12 Posts
I'm going for gaited also just can't do the miles otherwise.
My husband and I ride both gaited and non gaited. My QH has a cadillac trot that is very smooth. We have a spotted saddle who has a great gait especially when he turns the motor on that the husband rides and I have a KMH mare, 21 years young, who after along ride wears me down. When she walks she has a huge overstride and will throw you back and forth in the saddle a lot.
We ride the gaiteds with our gaited friends and the QH with non-gaited friends. The best of both worlds.
We ride the gaiteds with our gaited friends and the QH with non-gaited friends. The best of both worlds.
Joined
·
11 Posts
I ride a QH gelding who is quite difficult to sit at times. I am working on a few things with a trainer and I have to say it makes a difference.
I am not familiar with gaited horses at all but I sure would love to try one.
I am not familiar with gaited horses at all but I sure would love to try one.
I had just posted that I am looking at switching, and got some great feedback. I love my quarters but with my husband's back problem, and I would like to go more distance in a shorter time, I am really looking at gaited. The RMH is the size I like but have only ridden trails with one and he was a handful, apparently that isn't always the case so I am going to start looking!!!
There are a number of moutain gaited horse in Canada so you should check them out. My first ride caused me to laugh - it was so smooth but fast - difficult to describe but a laugh says it all.
Joined
·
34 Posts
I too have a rocky mountain horse which I love. I was lucky, while visiting family in Mt. Sterling Kentucky, I found that a large breeder of moutain horses in the next town. The family took me under their wing and provided hospitality and knowledge that was amazing. It was the beginning of a great relationship with a horse and people - I go to the United Mountain Horse World Show every year to get my injection of both (horses and horse people) - hope to see you all there.
It is going to be a great show this year - lots of participants and prize money. Will send you a personal note so that we can connect at the show.
Joined
·
13,052 Posts
I went to Tennessee Walkers 19+ years ago due to back issues.
I have three TWH's and still have an Arab who is the best horse for young children a person could ask for.
For those folks considering going gaited, whatever breed you choose:
PLEASE REMEMBER the same gait may not feel the same on different horses due to their skeletal structure.
The running walk on my tall lanky athletic built TWH feels very different than it does on my "Quarter Horse Stout" shorter coupled TWH.
My best ride for my back is the Fella in my avatar that does the dreaded stepping pace smoother than some TWH's can perform the running walk.
He's the guy I bought 19+ years ago and I sure am glad I was gait-stupid because he's been a horse that only comes around once in a lifetime. Even my trimmer says he'd be a wealthy man if he could find 100 horses like this one
Anyway, the same gait can feel different on each horse, so don't give up on a particular breed because the first few you try out don't feel comfortable to your specific issues
I have three TWH's and still have an Arab who is the best horse for young children a person could ask for.
For those folks considering going gaited, whatever breed you choose:
PLEASE REMEMBER the same gait may not feel the same on different horses due to their skeletal structure.
The running walk on my tall lanky athletic built TWH feels very different than it does on my "Quarter Horse Stout" shorter coupled TWH.
My best ride for my back is the Fella in my avatar that does the dreaded stepping pace smoother than some TWH's can perform the running walk.
He's the guy I bought 19+ years ago and I sure am glad I was gait-stupid because he's been a horse that only comes around once in a lifetime. Even my trimmer says he'd be a wealthy man if he could find 100 horses like this one
Anyway, the same gait can feel different on each horse, so don't give up on a particular breed because the first few you try out don't feel comfortable to your specific issues
Mountain Horse World Show
Sounds like something that would be very interesting to attend to meet folks and see/learn a lot about this gaited mountain horse breed - where can I find more information?
United Mountain Horse Association was formed by members of the existing breed associations interested in having an organization especially dedicated to unifying all Mountain Horses. It showcases the registered Rocky Mountain, Mountain Pleasure and Kentucky Mountain Horses in unity. There are a number of UMH shows across the nation throughout the show season with the World Show Sep 6-11 held in Winchester, KY. It is a great place to meet mountain horse people from all over the World. Learn more at United Mountain Horse, Inc / American Gaited Mountain Horse LLC UMH World Grand ChampionshipWinchester KY
Joined
·
61 Posts
I have a Spotted Saddle Horse and I couldn't be happier with him. He has a wonderful, very smooth rack and a great personality. Loves trail riding and is very sure-footed. He was a perfect choice for me and I am 55+ as well.
Sounds like fun - thanks
Joined
·
256 Posts
Its CRAZY! You'll see so many horses and so many top quality horses it'll blow your mind! and good people too...just be ready to drive to almost the middle of nowhere...
Nate
Yeah - Horse Crazy - we did some mapping last night and talked to some friends and I think we are all crazy enough to do this. We don't consider the world show itself "almost in the middle of nowhere" (given that it is less than 45 miles from Lexington and close to Natural Bridge State Park and Red River Gorge - which looks awesome riding). We think we can do the world show in early Sep and then go the 2010 Equestrian show later in Sep. Of course we will leave time to trail ride and visit the beautiful Kentucky farms - which might take us to the middle of nowhere! Hope to see you at the show - let's connect offline. Any West Coasters who have interest in joining, send me a private message so we don't clutter up this thread.
Joined
·
256 Posts
Yea lots of nice places to ride in EKY, I should be at the World Show, and I'll also be at the WEG on the 8th and 9th of Oct. at the Rocky Mountain Horse Association booth...
Nate
1 - 19 of 19 Posts
- Status
Join the discussion
